I was just wondering, is it a sin to play games like Call of Duty? I have read the Bible a lot, and looked at many other things on the Internet that say or suggest that it isn't, but it is not the best thing to do with your time. I don't play more than like 40 minutes a day, and I don't play it for the violence and war stuff, I just play it because its fun competition and a fun game. Also I know that killing and violence is bad in real life. Any opinions on if what I'm doing is a sin? Thanks

It may be a sin if your questioning it and feel that it may be wrong. Playing a FPS game like COD or Men of War can be fun. But the problem becomes that it takes place in real life settings. There are plenty of fantasy style FPS games out there that aren't so focused on the real world. Have you tried any other ones that are out there? Maybe give a look to Quakelive. It is free to play.

QUAKE LIVE (http://www.quakelive.com)

I do not know what moral law would be broken by playing video games, violent or not, because it's pretend. That doesn't mean it's a good idea. Since you are questioning this, I think you recognize that these games are particularly violent and certainly don't do anything to make you a better person, or bring you any closer to God, and do glorify the worst of humanity - war is not our proudest achievement, certainly.

Can I share with you that my son used to spend an hour or more per day on video games. As a consequence for a serious misbehavior, I threw his game system in the garbage. His grade point average jumped a lot after that, and he seemed to do more with his friends. Imagine if instead of that 40 minutes a day on video games, you spent that time working out... how buff would you be? What about studying... even if you're out of school now, what about taking more classes - what might that do for your income potential? Or working on your home... how nice would that be? Leisure is great, but if you're going to spend 40 minutes a day on something, make sure it does something great for you because 40 minutes a day is a huge commitment.

Thinking in terms of sin has an Old Testament sound. How about thinking in terms of what Jesus taught? He watched the inequalities of the Romans against the people of Galilee and the whole area he walked. He even saw how the common foot soldier suffered while the generals had all the comforts of home. There is growing evidence in caves that the soldiers started secret religious services based on his teaching, because they have found symbols of both pagan Rome and Christianity, and that's how the religion made it's way to Rome. He could have raised an army, but he chose not to. Think of that when you play Call of Duty (maybe cut back to 20 min, just for the fun, not obsession). I see nothing wrong with a LITTLE bit of gaming. Moderation in all things.

I play a lot of these types of games, partly because I enjoy them and partly because I review them on the Internet. I've never seen any particular problem with them. I have to ask why you're raising the question. You said you've seen some stuff online suggesting they're a sin; is that the reason?

Depends on your denomination and your churches view point of sin.

I can find a dozen ways it can be a sin according to many churches.
Not sure what language it uses, but I can assume that is an issue.
And since they games promote killing and violence those will be issues in many beliefs.

Personally I never have thought it was a sin and I let my kids play. I suppose anything could be a sin if it consumes a person.

The answer to your question is found in the bible. Romans 14:23:
everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Therefore, if you can play your games in faith before the Lord, you are not sinning.