The Danger of Video Games, Anime, and Horror Films to Young People
In today's culture, social media is one of the biggest influences that shape the minds, attitudes, and beliefs of people especially the youth. Television shows, movies, video games, and other forms of entertainment have become infused with the daily routines of teenagers and they take up a considerable amount of our time.
I am not saying that watching shows and films or playing video games or listening to music is inherently bad because they are also a good form of relaxation but only to a certain extent.
The problem starts when the teenager becomes fully engrossed in these things and forgets that he has a whole other life apart from them. He starts to create a world of his own and begins to lose contact with reality.
He becomes obsessed and these things which are not inherently bad become addictions and cause the teenager to lose focus, to falter in other aspects of life, and to shut himself out from the world. These things become distractions for him and he feels that his life is meaningless apart from them.
But the fact is, the moment that a teenager becomes addicted to video games or anime shows or films, his life would be drained slowly. There are certain games, shows, and films that are not inherently bad as I have been mentioning.
But there are video games with elements that are certainly destructive to one's mind, emotion, and even the spirit. Anime shows and horror films also have these aspects.
We need to be vigilant and be cautious when dealing with these because they have themes that are really unsuitable for young people.
As Christians, especially for the parents, you need to have discernment and to guard what our children see, hear, and play because these affect their psyche but more so their spiritual life.
Speaking from personal experience, I have been addicted to certain games and anime shows that really took hold of me until I finally laid them before God and He changed me and slowly removed those things out of my life because they really are detrimental to us.
Video games and Anime shows such as Naruto, Bleach, Pokemon, and Digimon among others have certain elements that may become the foothold of the enemy to enter into the lives of children and teenagers. These are unhealthy to the mind, heart, and mostly to the spirit.
Horror films are also very dangerous especially when children and teenagers watch them without supervision or guidance. Even with supervision or guidance, I would not condone children and teenagers to watch them because these films are gateways for the enemy to bother, disturb, or torment these young people with fear, anxiety, worry, and at times, nightmares.
At the very least, if one would really insist, then adult supervision is required and I would recommend someone who is spiritually mature and discerning to guide their young. It would also be better to pray before and after watching these films. However, the best practice is to avoid watching these films.
Remember that every day we are battling against spiritual forces not physical forces. So we must stand guard and be vigilant at all times and that is why God has given us the Bible, His Word, so that we have a weapon against these forces and powers for the Bible says that greater is He (Jesus) that is in me than he (Satan) that is in the world in 1 John 4:4.
Jesus Christ lives in us and the Holy Spirit gives us protection, guidance, and power to live a victorious life. God is with us so then who can be against us?
All the same, we have to flee from temptation and we have to avoid these video games, television shows, and films that may cause us to falter in our walk with God or distract us from the essentials in life.
We have to exercise caution because the enemy is hard at work and he will try to use every weapon in his arsenal to wreak havoc and destruction upon our lives. John 10:10 says that the thief seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. But Jesus came so that we might have life and have it abundantly.
If you are experiencing trouble breaking free from the bondage of addiction to harmful video games, anime shows, or if you are being tormented by fear, then I urge you to pray to God right now and ask Him to help you break the hold of the enemy on your life.
Ask Him for forgiveness and for the strength and power to repent and change from your old ways so that you may follow Jesus and live a life of victory and abundance. Submit all these things before God and turn away from them, never to dig them up or return to them.
Parents I also encourage you to involve yourselves in the lives of your children and continue to pray for them and really be aggressive in the battle against sin, temptation, and the addictions in your children's lives. You need to know what your children are involving themselves into and cut them off when you see that the things they watch or play are no longer helpful or safe for them.
The youth are the hope of the future so we must take care of the next generation that they may not fall into the wrong hands or be led astray from the right path. God bless!
I am not saying that watching shows and films or playing video games or listening to music is inherently bad because they are also a good form of relaxation but only to a certain extent.
The problem starts when the teenager becomes fully engrossed in these things and forgets that he has a whole other life apart from them. He starts to create a world of his own and begins to lose contact with reality.
He becomes obsessed and these things which are not inherently bad become addictions and cause the teenager to lose focus, to falter in other aspects of life, and to shut himself out from the world. These things become distractions for him and he feels that his life is meaningless apart from them.
But the fact is, the moment that a teenager becomes addicted to video games or anime shows or films, his life would be drained slowly. There are certain games, shows, and films that are not inherently bad as I have been mentioning.
We need to be vigilant and be cautious when dealing with these because they have themes that are really unsuitable for young people.
As Christians, especially for the parents, you need to have discernment and to guard what our children see, hear, and play because these affect their psyche but more so their spiritual life.
Speaking from personal experience, I have been addicted to certain games and anime shows that really took hold of me until I finally laid them before God and He changed me and slowly removed those things out of my life because they really are detrimental to us.
Video games and Anime shows such as Naruto, Bleach, Pokemon, and Digimon among others have certain elements that may become the foothold of the enemy to enter into the lives of children and teenagers. These are unhealthy to the mind, heart, and mostly to the spirit.
Horror films are also very dangerous especially when children and teenagers watch them without supervision or guidance. Even with supervision or guidance, I would not condone children and teenagers to watch them because these films are gateways for the enemy to bother, disturb, or torment these young people with fear, anxiety, worry, and at times, nightmares.
At the very least, if one would really insist, then adult supervision is required and I would recommend someone who is spiritually mature and discerning to guide their young. It would also be better to pray before and after watching these films. However, the best practice is to avoid watching these films.
Remember that every day we are battling against spiritual forces not physical forces. So we must stand guard and be vigilant at all times and that is why God has given us the Bible, His Word, so that we have a weapon against these forces and powers for the Bible says that greater is He (Jesus) that is in me than he (Satan) that is in the world in 1 John 4:4.
Jesus Christ lives in us and the Holy Spirit gives us protection, guidance, and power to live a victorious life. God is with us so then who can be against us?
All the same, we have to flee from temptation and we have to avoid these video games, television shows, and films that may cause us to falter in our walk with God or distract us from the essentials in life.
We have to exercise caution because the enemy is hard at work and he will try to use every weapon in his arsenal to wreak havoc and destruction upon our lives. John 10:10 says that the thief seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. But Jesus came so that we might have life and have it abundantly.
If you are experiencing trouble breaking free from the bondage of addiction to harmful video games, anime shows, or if you are being tormented by fear, then I urge you to pray to God right now and ask Him to help you break the hold of the enemy on your life.
Ask Him for forgiveness and for the strength and power to repent and change from your old ways so that you may follow Jesus and live a life of victory and abundance. Submit all these things before God and turn away from them, never to dig them up or return to them.
Parents I also encourage you to involve yourselves in the lives of your children and continue to pray for them and really be aggressive in the battle against sin, temptation, and the addictions in your children's lives. You need to know what your children are involving themselves into and cut them off when you see that the things they watch or play are no longer helpful or safe for them.
The youth are the hope of the future so we must take care of the next generation that they may not fall into the wrong hands or be led astray from the right path. God bless!
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