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Q. I play a lot of video games. It's my hobby and I enjoy the challenge of online gaming. However, my mom and several of my friends tell me I should actually do things with my life. They're overreacting. I should be able to enjoy this hobby like anyone else, right?

A. You're probably not going to like this answer, but if your mom and friends keep talking to you about this, I think you have a problem.

I'd be willing to change my opinion if you can honestly agree with these statements:

I never play because I just can't think of anything else to do. I've never felt a powerful urge to drop what I'm doing to go conquer that next level. I'd be fine taking a weeklong break—and often do. I can list five other things I enjoying doing with my free time, and I've done each of them in the last two weeks. I never play for more than three hours at a time. I've never lied to hide time spent gaming. None of the first-hand reports on wowdetox.com sound like me.

Some games are perfectly legit recreation when played in moderation. It's not that video or online games are evil. In fact, this is more a matter of wisdom than a matter of right and wrong. It may not be wrong to play some video games, but it's unwise to give the game more mental, emotional and creative energy than you should. Paul wrote, "Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me—but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Corinthians 6:11-13, NIV).

If the idea of giving up gaming—or actually any hobby in your life—makes you extremely uncomfortable, that activity is "mastering" you. Be honest with yourself. Pray about your time and desires. Ask a parent, youth leader or pastor to show you some activities that will be truly "beneficial."

Mark is the founder of WisdomWorks Ministries. You can learn about his conferences, read movie and music reviews, and more at planetwisdom.com.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Ignite Your Faith magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Ignite Your Faith.

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