Is this whole area a place that demonic strongholds can affect a person’s life in reality?
It may be possible, but highly improbable. If World of Warcraft is having a negative spiritual affect on someone, my guess is that there’s something else much deeper going on that’s unrelated to the game. The root issue only manifests itself in how they play World of Warcraft and interacts with other parts of life. In other words, I strongly doubt World of Warcraft is the culprit of negative issues in a person’s life rather than just an expression of it.
I strongly doubt World of Warcraft is the culprit of negative issues in a person’s life rather than just an expression of it.
Should a Christian play World of Warcraft and other MMORPGs?
I can’t answer this for anyone other than myself. My personal conviction is that it’s fine for me to play these games for their entertainment and ministry value assuming all my other real-life responsibilities are met and balanced satisfactorily. I find nothing inherently sinful about these games or the communities they create, but I realize others may disagree for various reasons. Two verses seem to apply:
“As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.”
And 1 Corinthians 8:9:
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”
If World of Warcraft pricks your conscience, then don’t play it. If you do play it, make sure that exercising you freedom in this area won’t be a stumbling block to someone else.
[ Read other "World of Warcraft FAQs for Christians" in this series ]
[tags]World of Warcraft, MMORPG, MMO, Guild Wars, spirituality[/tags]
About me: I am married to my beautiful wife, 
October 13th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
this is ridiculous! of coarse it is fine, no one who plays WOW is like i wanna do spells like this in real life, hey lets pray to the devil maybe we will get awesome powers. u guys are f***ed up. maybe u should pray more.
October 15th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Dude, If you as a Christian are wondering about the effects of non-christian like characterisations, you should be looking at a whole lotta other games too.
Besides, if people as Christians are worried about their sprituality, then they were in trouble a long time before WoW came on the scene. Yeah.. it’s got demonic stuff, yeah you can do bad stuff to other players too, but it all ends once you un-plug your modem from the wall…. I have seen some people, who claim to be Christians, Lie, cheat, steal and do many dis-honorable things in the real world. I agree it does not perpetuate bad behaviour, but Christian’s in general are terrified of the reality, and use the idea of a God that is but a figment of our imagination and culture to provide comfort that they will be ok.
Anything can happen to anyone and it has nothing to do with a ‘God’….This kind of technology would probably attract them as it’s another false representation of the world, (just like religion), in which they can feel some degree of comfort… So for all you weak-minded Christians.. Sign up today !!!
November 7th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
You know, I’m suddenly remembering the game “Heretic” for PC. Released a while back sometime in the 90’s. It was a game, medieval style, that you were an “Angel” or something and sent out to send demons back to hell via large weapons. A rather gruesome game that was actually funded by the Christian Coalition. So, as far as gaming and Christianity goes… Well, as the man said, it’s up to you.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 pm
you are all gay and wow is great
January 8th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I’m a Christian myself and I must say I was actually wondering if World of Warcraft was alright to play, but after seeing those two verses I feel more comfortable. I know it doesn’t prick my conscience and I have not faltered in my walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. I actually have spread the gospel to a friend in the game.
God bless
June 30th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I believe the problem here is less with the content of the game and more focused on how WoW tends to dominate some peoples lives. It is, for some, very addictive and like other MMORPGS may or may not ruin your spirituality, relationships, or maybey even cause you to loose your job. The real question is can you control yourself?
August 7th, 2008 at 11:08 am
There are many posts about this game saying that it doesn’t effect your spirituality….I agree that playing this game will not take your salvation away from you….but…what is it doing for strengthening your faith, and building intolerance against evil, promoting things that are of a good report….showing you how to 1 Corinthians 13 love each other?
Mostly what people have been commenting on is how they want to play this game and using scripture to support why they should be able to. Does this not seem alittle immature? For real…should not the objective question be, “is there anything in the Bible that might hint at the fact there might be something wrong with games of this type?”
We should look first at the content of the game, then maybe pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the intent behind the game, then maybe look to see if there are addictive qualities in the game. Any game rated “E” or “M” if it becomes addictive and takes the place of responsibilities we have, we need to quit playing for aawhile. Everything we do should be done with the approval or dissaproval of the Lord. there are many things we can do…but not everything is profitable for us to do!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:06 am
The fact that so many christians and even pastors are defending playing this game is truly a sad commentary on how weak the church has become. We can so easily justify the sin/rebellion we want to hang on to. “It’s only a game, I’m not actually casting a spell on someone.”
I would suggest carefully reading Deuteronomy 18:9-13.
Divination, witchcraft, interpreting omens, sorcery, casting spells, mediums, spiritists.
These things are detestable to the God that we claim to follow.
Then I suggest reading Matthew 5:20-48.
Here, Jesus himself closes the arguement about not “actually” doing these things.
There is a very clear confrontation between the things promoted in World of Warcraft and God’s word. You must make a choice.
The bottom line is found in 1 John 2:15
October 8th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Hahah, I so agree with you Josh xD Nothing more to add
Except.. maybe you should get some sense to your life and not solve “dire puzzles” like this.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
oh and pleae do not try to convert anyone ever. Its already bad fearing to bump into you “missionaries” in real life :D:D Salut
October 26th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
How can we claim to be Christians when we could care less what God thinks? 1 John 1:6
You’re right I can’t convert anyone. However, if we actually have been converted, we should desire to please God and honor Him. Trying to justify participating in things that God calls detestable seems a strange way to honor Him.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
God gave us free agency for a reason. If you are a Christian, then you believe God gave us agency to do good and not evil.
That being said, WoW is not in any means evil. You are not doing evil if you play the game. It’s a fun video game you can play with your family and friends. If for some reason the games effects rub off onto you in real life (likes casting spells and what was mentioned earlier) then you should probably think about quitting.
The bigger problem is, WoW takes up more than just some of your time. As a result, you lose quality time with family/friends/activities etc. and this is why some people find the game evil. The game is very addicting and spending too much time on a video game is a problem. Unless you can balance your time, WoW takes you away from the best things of life, and leaves you at your computer for hours clicking a mouse and staring at a computer screen.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:24 pm
How can you say that Warcraft does not promote evil?
Does it not contain witchcraft, sorcery, spell casting, demonic forces?
Agains, read what GOD calls detestable in Deuteronomy 18:9-13.
These things are not from God. If they are not from God, then where are they from?
October 31st, 2008 at 4:30 pm
BTW - What passage does “free agency” come from, and exactly what does it mean?
November 10th, 2008 at 2:35 am
You know…. this is the most idiotic article I’ve ever read in my life… This game is clearly DEMONIC, you rule over demonic powers, participate in demonic rituals, and use demons- how can anyone be a christian and play this game? This is clearly a word to author, stop playing and repent before it’s too late. And most important: don’t lead others into temptation!!! YOU among all others found a way to convince yourself that this game is fine. I am almost sure you are addicted to this game, and worse off, the adds that are on your site mention WOW- you are paid to mislead people, both on this site and in church!
November 10th, 2008 at 10:35 am
@Vitally: I appreciate you jumping to all sorts of conclusions (by the way, I don’t play WoW) and seeing the issue so black and white.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
@Vitaliy - Wow dude. Ouch.
@Tim Schmoyer - Hey I have an idea? Maybe we shouldn’t play Monopoly either? I mean, it does promote greed right?
Just tryin to keep it light!
November 10th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
This is exactly what is wrong with the “church” today. It has become so indoctrinated by the world that we can’t even tell what is from God and what isn’t. We have “christians” defending and practicing homosexuality, divorce is rarely even mentioned from the pulpit, we are entertained exactly like the world, we have “pastors” who routinely curse and swear from the pulpit in the name of being relevant.
The ironic thing is that in the name of relevance we have become so much like the world that the world doesn’t even see the point of what we’re saying. We’re just another option of life coaching. We offer the same advice they can get from Ladies Home Journal, or Reader’s Digest.
“Your Best Life Now” - they can get that from Tony Robbins, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil. etc., etc., etc.
We are called to be in the world but not of the world.
Here’s some food for thought . . . Jesus Himself said “among them that are born of women there is none greater than John the Baptist”. I don’t think you’ll find anywhere in scripture where he tailored his evangelism so as to be relevant to his culture. He didn’t play the world’s games in order to “reach” the lost, he spoke the truth clearly and unapologetically and left the results to God.
It’s not the method that changes men’s hearts, it’s the Holy Spirit using the message we speak!
November 11th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I was going to respond with really long article about faith and individuality and the love of Truth and Forgiveness and Compassion and Free Will.
Then I remembered that half the people reading this live their lives based on the Ancient Book of Jewish Fairy Tales and anything remotely logical will fall on deaf ears.
Have a nice life all of you, I wish you peace, but most of all I wish you intellectual enlightenment someday. Not cowering in the corner afraid of lightening and thunder.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
It’s more than just a book of Jewish fairy tales
1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Hebrews 4:12
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” Ps.111:10