I NEED ANSWERS ASAP!

[GKB]

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CHRISTIANS PLAYING CARDS? IF THEY ARE NOT PLAYING FOR MONEY, OR IF THEY ARE ONLY PLAYING FOR CHRISTIAN RECREATION, IS IT OK? IS IT BETTER TO GO TO THE MOVIES? BOWLING? POOL HALL? IF IT IS BETTER, THAN WHY? PLEASE TELL ME WHY YES, OR WHY NO!

ALSO IF EVERYONE PLAYING IS A TRUE CHRISTIAN (LIVING A SOLD OUT LIFE FROM GOD IS THAT ALRIGHT?

SOME OF THE CHRISTIANS AT A MINISTRY ARE ASKING CAN WE PLAY CARDS. I REALLY CAN'Y FIND ANY SCRIPTURE THAT SAYS NO.

I KNOW MANY CHURCHES FROWN ON THIS ACTIVITY, BUT I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IS THAT JUST FOR TRADITIONAL/RELIGIOUS REASONS, OR DOES THE LORD TRUELY FROWN ON IT?

I NEED ANSWERS QUICK, AND PLEASE INCLUDE REASONS THAT WILL VALIDATED YOUR ANSWERS.

[Shammu]

Most Christians begin with the stout resolve, that their playing shall be no more than a social game, and shall never go as far as gambling. But it is a beginning, a learning how, followed by a learning to love it. And this passion when developed results in the selection of associates who have a similar taste. I have never known any good to come of card playing. If they are Christians, their spirituality is lowered and their growth impeded. Their usefulness and activity in the church are impaired. Or, if they are not believers, they are thrust by it farther away from the kingdom, and made to feel less concern for their salvation.

The Bible tells us, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Are cards ever played with that end in view? Many good Christian people tolerate cards, in the belief that only innocent results will follow, and who, if they are in error, are more than willing to have their danger pointed out to them.

Romans 8:17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.

Romans 15:17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have legitimate reason to glory (exult) in my work for God [in what through Christ Jesus I have accomplished concerning the things of God].

1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King of eternity, incorruptible and immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever (to the ages of ages). Amen (so be it).

1 Peter 2:20 [After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.

Now a question to you brother. I will leave you to ponder this question. Does playing cards give Glory to God?

Resting in the hands, of the Lord.
Bob

Luke 9:46 But a controversy arose among them as to which of them might be the greatest [surpassing the others in excellence, worth, and authority].

[Soldier4Christ]

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


The question here, as with anything that we do should be, if a nonbeliever walks in would that activity that we are involved in harm our testimony to them? Even if there is no gambling involved, is the game that we are playing giving that appearance that we are? Usually such games that are normally associated with gambling will in fact give that appearance.

Perhaps a Bible trivia game would be more beneficial (edifying) to all involved.

[Shammu]

Perhaps a Bible trivia game would be more beneficial (edifying) to all involved.

AMEN Pastor Roger!!

[GKB]

thank you for your feedback, all points are well taken. i am going to decline the card playing game...

but still, just for the sake of arguement (you know me ), what about the movies, bowling, etc?

how about board games?

[Shammu]

thank you for your feedback, all points are well taken. i am going to decline the card playing game...

but still, just for the sake of arguement (you know me ), what about the movies, bowling, etc?

how about board games?

If y'all do movies, is the whole Church going? Would the movies Glorify God? The same goes for bowling, would it Glorify God?

There are quite a few Biblical games out. Now those would Glorify God!

[Soldier4Christ]

The same thing applies in all things that we do or say.

[glennd]

I get the impression from this post that only things which glorify God are "spiritual" things, i.e. Bible reading, prayer, Bible games...   Jesus went a lot of places and did a lot of things which would be frowned on by Western Christians.  The important points are a] is such activity sin? [lying, cheating, lusting, etc].  If the answer is yes then it must be avoided.  If the answer is no then we move to b] does it violate a person's conscious.  If a person cannot do an activity, which is not clearly defined as sin, with a clear conscious then for them it is sin but that doesn't necessarily mean it is sin for everyone else.  For example, God may tell someone who has a problem with overeating to cut out sweets but that doesn't mean it is wrong for someone else.  We have to be careful in how we judge.  There are things which are sinful in and of themselves.  But many are things are not sin and can be an enjoyable part of life.  God gives us richly all things to enjoy.

[TalkerCat]

CARD PLAYING? A SIN?  I have to disagree to a point.  Last weekend the ladies in my prayer circle got together for Bridge.  We had a wonderful time eating, playing cards and fellowshipping!  We listened to Christian music and Praised The Lord, all-the-while playing a Bridge game......

Now if we had been gambling .... smoking .... drinking .... using vulgar language ... I could see where the card game would have been sinful, but a group of Christians gathering for an innocent card game somehow doesn't sound like a abomination.  JMHO

=^..^=

[Dee]

I totally agree with the last 2 comments from TalkerCat & Glennd.

Playing cards in itself is not a sin.  If the individual does not have a clear conscious then it's sin to him but that has nothing to with the next person who has a clear conscious.   As TalkerCat said, I could see if there was drinking, gambling and vulgar language.  Fellowship with other brothers and sisters can glorify God.  God wants us to have fun too.. bowling and movies is not just for unbelievers.  Like Glennd said, we must be careful in how we judge.  We can not decide what's right or wrong for someone else.  Be careful that we're not becoming like the Pharisees who were religious and not in a relationship with Christ.

Great comments TalkerCat and Glennd ...  

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen Dee, TalkerCat and glennd,

Card games in themselves are not the problem that I was speaking of. There are many card games that are Christian based.

A good friend of mine just recently said, "I avoid anything that is not Christian based." 

The card games that I was speaking of was not bridge but rather those that are more associated with gambling such as poker. This is especially true for those that are young in Christ. After all such things do affect the way we think and act. It also affects the way that non-Christians look at us, thereby affecting our testimony with them.

Jesus told the Pharisees that they were making an outward appearance only, cleaned the outside of the cup but not the inward side. He was telling them that the inward was most important but He also told them they should have done the outward also.