HEY MIKE! I love playing computer games, but I want to be a godly gamer. Is that possible? I’m serious about my relationship with Christ and don’t want anything to hurt my faith. Here’s a selection of my favorite games: "Gran Turismo 2," "Syphon Filter 2," "Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater." What do you think of these titles?
— D.B, West Cola, S.C.
I’m impressed with your desire to put Christ first in your life and to do what’s right — even when it comes to entertainment choices. As for your first question, YES, it is possible to be a godly gamer. There are some great computer games out there that, when played in moderation, can be a lot of fun.
Now for your second question: Which games should you play? Rather than giving you a thumbs up (or down) on the ones you listed, I’m going to do something even better. Here’s a four-point "game plan" you can follow whenever you have a tough time figuring out where to draw the line:
1. Pray about your choice. I’m serious here! God will help you with every decision you face — big or small. James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
2. Talk to Mom and Dad. Once they regain consciousness, they’ll come through with some great advice. Bottom line: Your parents call the shots in your life. It’s up to you to honor them.
3. Ask yourself two key questions. Will the game require you to be the kind of hero who reflects godly character? Or is it leading you to make poor moral choices in the name of fantasy?
4. Uncover the "hidden agendas." Just about every game promotes some kind of belief or philosophy. Here are two common ones to identify and avoid:
Violent problem-solving: "Wipe out people and property to score points. Crush! Kill! Destroy! And you’ll be rewarded for it!" In other words, you put your faith in firepower.
The Occult: "Rely on dark supernatural powers; cast spells and use sorcery to be victorious." Games with occult themes toy with demonic activity, twist truth and often place humans on the same level with God.
The best kinds of games to play are those that promote healthy competition and good sportsmanship — even the kind in which truth and justice triumph over evil. 
