Stop Chasing Pokemons, Start Chasing Jesus: A Christian Perspective on the Pokemon Go Epidemic
The Pokemon Go Craze: A Look Back
Then came Pokemon Go. Suddenly, it seemed like the entire planet was glued to their smartphones, wandering around in search of these digital creatures. Remember that? It was quite a spectacle! People were out in droves, exploring their neighborhoods in a way they hadn't before, all in the pursuit of catching 'em all.
I recently had the privilege of reconnecting with Pastor Bob Strachan to get his prophetic insights on this whole Pokemon Go situation. Our conversation, which I’m thrilled to share with you today in blog post form, really shed light on some crucial aspects that Christians should consider. Pastor Bob, joining me all the way from Jedburgh Baptist in Scotland, brought his characteristically insightful and biblically grounded perspective to the table.
For those unfamiliar with Pastor Bob's ministry, I encourage you to check out ScotlandBaptist.com. His website is a treasure trove of biblically sound teachings, tackling topics many shy away from, including spiritual warfare and the discernment of pagan influences in our modern world. He also runs Little Flock Radio.com, a 24/7 gospel music and Bible teaching online radio station – a fantastic resource for anyone seeking to deepen their faith.
Pastor Bob’s mission is clear: to teach and equip the body of Christ. As he eloquently put it, while soul-winning is paramount, teaching those who are won how to also win others is exponentially more impactful. His heart is to see believers grounded in biblical truth, shying away from the fleeting trends of modernism and returning to the foundational teachings of the Bible, mirroring the ministry of Jesus and His disciples.
When the World Goes Digital: My Initial Thoughts
Honestly, when Pokemon Go first hit the scene, my initial reaction was a mix of amusement and bewilderment. Seeing people of all ages walking around, phones in hand, eyes glued to the screen, felt a bit supernatural in its own way. On one hand, I thought, “Hey, at least they’re getting some exercise!” As Pastor Bob pointed out, there's a sliver of a silver lining in people getting off the couch and moving around, much like with geocaching.
However, the sheer intensity of the phenomenon quickly raised red flags for me. Susan and I often go for prayer walks in our neighborhood here in Brantley, Alabama, and we started noticing something peculiar: cars driving slowly down the street, occupants clearly engrossed in their phones, in areas where we'd never seen such traffic before. It was a tangible sign of how this virtual world was impacting the real one.
Then I saw a meme of a church sign – I can't recall the exact wording – but it essentially invited Pokemon Go players to take advantage of the church as a "Pokestop." While I understand the desire to connect with people and perhaps draw them in, it made me question the underlying motivation. Are we offering them Jesus, or just a chance to snag a digital creature?
The Tangible Dangers: More Than Just a Game
Pastor Bob rightly highlighted some very real physical dangers associated with Pokemon Go. We discussed news reports of people driving dangerously while playing, leading to accidents. Imagine crashing your car over a virtual monster! It sounds absurd, but it happened. People were so engrossed in their phones that they were oblivious to their surroundings, leading to falls, injuries, and even tragically, deaths. Nothing in the virtual realm holds value over a human life.
Beyond personal safety, there are also serious concerns about exploitation. The game often involves going to specific locations, and unfortunately, this opened doors for nefarious individuals. Pastor Bob, with his background in law enforcement, raised valid alarms about children being lured to isolated areas, potentially leading to muggings or worse. The camaraderie that spontaneously arose among players also presented a risk, as children might interact with strangers they would normally be cautioned against. As Christian parents, our primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of our children.
The Deeper Questions: A Biblical Examination
This brings us to the crux of the matter: should Christians be participating in Pokemon Go? What does the Bible say that can guide us in this area? I’m so glad Pastor Bob addressed this directly. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) tells us:
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Our focus as Christian parents should be on training our children in the ways of God, not in the pursuit of virtual novelties that hold no eternal significance.
Jesus Himself, in Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV), exhorted us:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Our time, energy, and resources should be directed towards things that have eternal value, towards furthering God's kingdom.
While I'm not suggesting we all quit our jobs and become full-time missionaries (though that’s a noble calling for some!), we need to evaluate how we spend our time. Is chasing virtual pets truly aligning with laying up treasures in heaven? These digital fads, while momentarily engaging, are often fleeting. Remember Moshi Monsters or even the Beanie Baby craze? They captured everyone's attention for a while, then faded. While Pokemon has had more staying power, the principle remains: our ultimate focus should be on the eternal, not the temporal.
Some might argue that Pokemon Go could be used as a tool for evangelism, with churches becoming "Pokestops" to attract people. However, as Pastor Bob astutely pointed out, people are coming for the Pokemon, not necessarily for the Gospel. If we lure them in with a game, we’ll likely need to keep entertaining them with worldly things. True and lasting change comes through the power of the Word of God. When people are drawn to the truth of the Gospel and experience the transformative power of Jesus, that’s what will sustain them.
Think about the story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22). He came to Jesus seeking eternal life, but when faced with the cost – selling his possessions and following Christ – he walked away, saddened by his great wealth. Jesus didn't chase after him; He allowed him to make his own choice. God desires hearts that willingly serve Him out of love, not by coercion or through worldly enticements.
The most powerful way we can promote Jesus is through our personal testimonies, sharing our own experiences of how He has changed our lives, coupled with the unchanging truth of the Word of God. As Mary Magdalene did after encountering the resurrected Christ, we can simply say, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18).
The Roots of Pokemon: A Cause for Concern?
Delving deeper, Pastor Bob explored the origins of Pokemon, tracing it back to the trading cards and video games of the mid-1990s. He drew a parallel to the intense obsession that developed around these cards, even leading to alarming incidents like a child attacking a teacher for confiscating them or another being stabbed over stolen cards. This level of fixation should give us pause.
Interestingly, Pastor Bob pointed out that the company behind Pokemon is the same one that owns Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering – games with well-documented links to the occult. While this doesn't automatically condemn Pokemon, it warrants a closer look at its underlying themes and potential influences.
Considering the words of Jesus in Luke 6:43-45 (KJV), we are called to examine the roots of things:
“For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
If the roots are questionable, can the fruit truly be good?
Many in the modern church try to use worldly methods – movie clips, superhero analogies – to connect with people and share the Gospel. While the intention might be good, we must be discerning. Are these truly the most effective and biblically sound ways to represent Christ?
Unpacking the Spiritual Implications
Pastor Bob shared some fascinating insights from an interview with Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokemon. Tajiri stated that a key element of the game's success was that the monsters are controllable by the players. He even suggested that these monsters could represent the "monster within you," like fear or anger, contained in capsules. Furthermore, players can give their Pokemon individual names, fostering a deeper attachment.
This concept of controlling creatures, even if they represent inner struggles, bears an unsettling resemblance to occult practices, specifically witchcraft, where the idea of summoning and controlling spirits exists. While I understand that on the surface, it’s just a game, we as Christians need to be aware of any underlying philosophies that might subtly shape our thinking or desensitize us to certain spiritual concepts.
The fact that these Pokemon can gain power through training and the strong emotional bonds players form with them also echoes concerns found in some false religions and cults, where entities gain influence through worship and devotion. While I’m not definitively saying that Pokemon are demonic entities, we need to exercise discernment and be mindful of the potential for unintended spiritual consequences.
Pastor Bob clarified that while some might claim all Pokemon names are derived from demons, he hasn't found conclusive evidence for this. For example, Pikachu’s name seems to be based on Japanese onomatopoeia for electric sounds and the word for mouse. However, he did note that some names do sound rather suggestive.
Conclusion: Where Does Our Allegiance Lie?
As believers, our allegiance is to Jesus Christ. Our pursuit should be Him and His Kingdom. While something like Pokemon Go might seem like harmless fun, we need to consider its potential dangers, its underlying themes, and whether it truly aligns with our calling to lay up treasures in heaven.
Let us be wise stewards of our time and resources, focusing on what truly matters for eternity. Let’s prioritize teaching our children the Word of God and living lives that reflect His love and truth. Instead of chasing virtual creatures, let's wholeheartedly chase after Jesus, the One who offers true and lasting fulfillment.
What are your thoughts on this? Have you considered the spiritual implications of seemingly harmless entertainment? I’d love to hear your perspective in the comments below. And if you found this discussion valuable, please subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on social media for more content that brings Jesus to your face!
Until next time, keep digging deeper and going higher in your walk with the Lord! God bless you.
