by Ester yusufu | 2 September 2019 08:46 pm09
Answer:
Let’s start with a simple but important question:
Why do most boarding schools prohibit students from having phones, watching movies, playing video games, or even playing cards?
The answer is straightforward: these activities tend to distract students from their main purpose—studying. Instead of focusing on schoolwork, a student may spend hours thinking about a movie they watched or the card game they played. Over time, their grades suffer, and they fail to meet their goals. That failure becomes a loss not only for the student, but also for their family, school, and even the nation.
Now if people—teachers, parents, and leaders—can use such wisdom to guide children away from time-wasting things, how much more does God, who is infinitely wise, know what is good and bad for His children?
The Bible warns us clearly about loving the world in a way that draws our hearts away from God:
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
—1 John 2:15–17
This passage doesn’t mean that playing games, enjoying entertainment, or resting are evil in themselves. God created us with emotions, minds, and bodies that need joy and rest. In fact, the Bible celebrates rest (Genesis 2:2–3), music (Psalm 150), and joy (Nehemiah 8:10). However, the danger comes when these things take over and replace our spiritual priorities.
Just as students are in school for a short season, we are here on earth for a brief time compared to eternity. If we allow temporary pleasures to distract us from eternal priorities, we risk missing what matters most—our relationship with God and our eternal future.
The Bible describes believers as foreigners and strangers in this world:
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
—1 Peter 2:11
We are not here to live for worldly entertainment. We are here to grow spiritually, serve God, and prepare for eternity. There will be plenty of joy and fulfillment in the life to come—in the New Jerusalem, where God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21:1–4).
There, we will no longer need to fast, fight temptation, or preach the gospel. It will be a place of perfect rest, eternal joy, and glorious worship.
“In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
—Psalm 16:11
Some might argue, “But isn’t it too extreme to avoid fun games like cards?”
But the apostle Paul helps us here:
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
—1 Corinthians 6:12
The point is this: not every activity is sinful, but if something masters your attention, wastes your time, or hinders your spiritual life, then it becomes spiritually dangerous. Card games and similar entertainment can easily become addictive or lead to further forms of gambling, competition, or laziness. Worse still, they can slowly drain your hunger for God.
Ask yourself: Can I spend two hours playing cards, but struggle to read my Bible for 10 minutes?
Can I binge-watch a series for eight hours, but feel too tired to pray or attend fellowship?
That’s a sign that your spiritual priorities are being undermined.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
—Hebrews 12:1
Life is short. Eternity is long. We must learn to prioritize what truly matters. It’s not foolish to avoid worldly distractions—it’s wisdom. Just like a serious student avoids unnecessary entertainment to focus on their studies, so must a serious Christian avoid anything that weakens their faith.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
—Ephesians 5:15–16
So, is it right for a Christian to play cards?
Theologically and practically, it is unwise. While not sinful in itself, it often leads to distraction, time-wasting, and even spiritual coldness. The devil doesn’t always use sin to destroy us—sometimes, he simply uses distractions.
Let us stay alert, focused, and rooted in the things of God. There is a crown of life awaiting those who endure and overcome.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
—Colossians 3:2
Be wise. Be watchful. Be blessed.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/09/02/is-it-right-for-a-christian-to-play-cards/
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