Addicted to Electronic Games

We have many children. They were allowed to play the video games that to us seemed to be "harmless". The Mario Brothers games are some of the very first ones they started with. They are definitely more innocent in the nature of their game; unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. I believe those games have had a seducing effect on those who played them. They wanted to master the challenges of harder and newer games. True, they were not out causing trouble; we always knew where they were; and they weren't doing drugs. That is what we told ourselves and we thought it was in its place if only played occasionally. We were wrong and extremely naive about the stronghold those games were having on the children. Eventually, the older boys moved on to the online games. Timothy and Jeremy were so severely addicted, drawn to a competitive spirit, that they would play day and night for hours on end with no sleep and no food. I had a dream that Jeremy was in a dark room with only a little dim light on him. It seemed to me that he was dying and that he needed help to survive.

The boys also had dreams. Jeremy dreamed that he was being tormented by demons. Timothy had a dream that he and two of his brothers were riding on the same bike and he was the one peddling. He then felt a pain in his heart and died. Then he noticed he was in his computer room and couldn't get out. He looked into the mirror in his room and his face became distorted and full of fear. He couldn't believe that he had died and he knew he was awaiting judgment. Wanting to get out of his room, he looked out of the window and saw what looked like deep space, or outer darkness. He then saw that pig-like people were moving into our house.

In another dream, Timothy saw a gargoyle-like demon in a reflection of their mirrored closet door, sitting in Jeremy's computer chair.

We all knew we were in a big spiritual battle. Jeremy was only 100 pounds at six feet tall. He was unhealthy and out of shape due to all the lack of sleep and food. He was always tired and drained. He only wanted to talk about the games and think about them all the time. It was even hard for him to sleep. When he would try, the thoughts from the game wouldn't stop. Jeremy was sitting in his chair and God revealed to him that he was in idolatry. This became willful sin and shortly after he was afflicted with sores on his face and back. God had to judge him. (Psa.119:67) Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I observe thy word.

We prayed with the boys and it was an ongoing battle for them for several years. They have confessed their sin and are delivered by the power of Jesus Christ.

These games are not so innocent after all! They promote a competitive spirit, an addiction to excitement and draw people away from the Word and time spent with God. They are targeting the young kids. (Pro.22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.

I have found that my homeschooled children would not do their school work and only wanted to play all the time behind their simple basic games that they've played. We decided that for us, it's not going to be allowed in our home any more and the pigs had to go! It's like the story of the camel's nose: You're better off not letting it get started because it will move in and consume all the space and crowd out what's important. Since we are to redeem the time for the days are evil, we have to fight the good fight of the faith and lay hold on the life eternal, laying aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!

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