Games are a prevalent concept in our lives, often serving as metaphors or life lessons in our learning and understanding. When we trace this concept back to the lessons in the Bible, we find a myriad of instances where games, directly or indirectly, inform about the intricacies of our Creator’s design for life. Therefore, this article aims to delve into what the Bible says about games and how we can extract valuable life lessons from them.
What The Bible Says About The Concept Of Games
Games, in the context of the Bible, are often used as analogies to illustrate valuable principles of life, living uprightly, and pleasing God. The first place where games are referenced in indirect terms is in the descriptions of taking part in life’s race. This metaphor about treating life as a marathon encapsulates perseverance, resilience, and constant striving for excellence.
Various verses in the Bible emphasize how believers are to approach this ‘game’, calculatedly mapping out their direction to avoid pitfalls and hurdles. A noteworthy point is achieving without falling into the trappings of deceit, corruption, or other vices. Despite the intense rivalry in games, the Bible encourages believers to emerge as winners while maintaining their integrity.
Why The Bible Uses Games To Teach Life Lessons
The Bible uses the concept of games as they are relatable and more accessible to understand. The detailed narratives, parables, and teachings in Scripture often feature elements of game-like scenarios. These instances enable readers to better comprehend the context and implications of the biblical teachings.
For instance, games often involve rules, a clear objective, and the necessity to strategize. The Bible uses this framework to convey how life also requires obedience to God’s rules, a clear purpose in serving God, and the need to strategize, navigate, and overcome challenges using wisdom and understanding.
Where Games Are Referenced Or Illustrated In The Bible
While it might not explicitly contain the modern understanding of games such as soccer or chess, the Bible indirectly uses game-like situations to present lessons. For instance, the numerous battles, strategic plans, epic escapes and pursuits, and instances of chance and conquest bear resemblance to elements of games.
Add to this the prominence of parables in biblical teachings – illustrative stories used to translate complex spiritual concepts into easily digestible formats. These parables often mirror game-like scenarios, thereby aiding in comprehension and application of these life lessons.
Who Can Learn From The Bible’s References To Games
Anyone, regardless of their age, experience, or spiritual maturity, can learn and gain value from the Bible’s references to games. Young people can perceive the Christian journey as a race to be run with endurance, while mature believers may be reminded that even as they have progressed far, the game isn’t over, and they must keep the faith.
For those who have fallen or gone out of track, the references to games in the Bible can give them courage and hope to get back into the race, learn their lessons, and advance. While the games themselves are temporal, and the excitement or disappointments they incite may be momentary, the spiritual lessons they impart are eternal and valuable.
When The Bible’s Views On Games Become Crucial
In today’s world, where games – both physical and digital – consume significant time and energy, the principles drawn from the Bible’s game references become crucial. Whether it is the spirit of competition, the drive for victory, or the itch for eustress, these teachings help manage such experiences in light of God’s word.
The game’s win or lose consequence can easily translate into life’s successes and failures, shaping perceptions towards effort, hope, determination, and divine sovereignty. By studying the Bible’s references to games, believers become adept at drawing lessons from their failures and successes, just as one would in a game situation.
Below is our full list of bible verses on games (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Games
Psalm 119:37
“37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.”
Psalm 11:5
“5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”
Zechariah 8:5
“5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.”
Psalm 101:3
“3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”
1 Corinthians 13:11
“11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Related Themes: Maturity Life Personal Responsibility Education
2 Timothy 2:5
“5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”
Related Themes: Sports Competition Exercise
Hebrews 12:1
“1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
Related Themes: Perseverance Patience Bitterness Perseverance Quitting
Philippians 4:13
“13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Related Themes: Strength Omnipotence Self Confidence Life Greatness
Philippians 3:14
“14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Perseverance Quitting Setting Goals Sports Glorification
2 Timothy 4:7
“7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
Related Themes: Faith Determination Giving Up Quitting Exercise
Colossians 3:23-24
“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Related Themes: Creativity Business Attitude Laziness Money
Proverbs 25:27
“27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
Related Themes: Pride Food Moderation Overeating Gluttony
Psalm 23:1-6
“1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Related Themes: Criticism Gossip Life Hope Omnipotence
Matthew 7:1
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Criticism Judging Others Gossip
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Related Themes: Self-Control Self Discipline Quitting Determination Perseverance
2 Timothy 2:22
“22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
1 Thessalonians 5:22
“22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Related Themes: Reputation Holiness Self-Control Music Adultery
1 Corinthians 6:12
“12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
Related Themes: Addiction Technology Freedom Gluttony Sports
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
1 Corinthians 9:24
“24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
Related Themes: Self-Control Self Discipline Quitting Determination Perseverance
Jude 1:4
“4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 2:3
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents
Luke 2:52
“52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Related Themes: Learning Children Favor Education Omnipotence
Psalm 90:12
“12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Related Themes: Life Time Wisdom Birthday New Beginnings
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
“18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.”
Related Themes: Money Work Life Capitalism Labor
Revelation 21:8
“8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Related Themes: Hell Abomination Telling The Truth Frustration Adultery
Ephesians 5:11
“11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
Related Themes: Gossip Speaking Up Disrespect Adultery Enabling
1 Corinthians 10:23
“23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Related Themes: Dating Freedom Indulgence Freedom
Matthew 6:19-21
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Money Homelessness Finances Materialism Coveting
