Does Heaven Condemn Chess and Checkers?

Exodus 20:8-11

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shall you labor, and do all your work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates:

11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: why the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

The explicit declaration that Heaven condemns certain amusements like chess and checkers is a firm testimony that should never be ignored by those seeking to maintain a living connection with GodCH 195.1+1. These specific games are not merely discouraged but are identified as activities that open the door to great evil and produce an exciting influence on the mind that leads toward gambling and dissipationPaM 247.3+2.

The Danger of Exciting Amusements

While recreation is a essential for both physical and mental workers to refresh the spirit and invigorate the body, it must be perfectly harmlessLDE 85.4+2. The following points explain why certain games are strictly condemned:

• Brain Weariness: Games like chess, cards, and checkers excite and weary the brain, which actually hinders the recovery of health rather than aiding it1T 554.3+2.

• Passion for Play: These amusements are not beneficial because they produce a passion for the play itself, which distracts from spiritual themes and eventually leads to dissolute livesRH October 8, 1867, par. 29+1.

• Satanic Net: Satan uses these seemingly innocent nets to entangle the young and ensure they have no time for the solemn question, "How is it with my soul?"CT 325.2+1.

• Indifferent Spirituality: Those who indulge in these frivolous and exciting amusements lose their thirst for the "living water" offered by Jesus John 4:14Ev 266.1+1.

The Purpose of True Recreation

The fourth commandment calls us to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, recognizing the Lord as the Creator of all things Exodus 20:8-11. True recreation should align with the principles of God’s law by elevating the character and better qualifying us for our dutiesMYP 364.1+1.

• Substitution: Christians should not simply stop these activities but must substitute them with something that is entirely harmless and beneficialCH 195.1+1.

• Physical Labor: For those who are sick or mentally overtaxed, light physical labor and outdoor employment are far superior to mental games like checkers, as they improve circulation and restore the brain1LtMs, Lt 8, 1867, par. 5+2.

• Glory of God: Every gathering for recreation should be conducted so that we can return to our work with better hope and courage to glorify God 1 Corinthians 10:31LDE 85.4+1.

Remaining Faithful to the Message

To ignore the plain statements regarding what Heaven condemns is to risk spiritual declension6MR 20.4+1. Just as the Sabbath is a distinct line of demarcation between the church and the world, our choice of recreation reveals which banner we stand under17LtMs, Ms 85, 1902, par. 26+1. Those who truly love the Lord will hate evil and shun places of worldly amusement where Jesus is not found Psalms 97:1021LtMs, Ms 91, 1906, par. 6+1. We are invited to walk in the narrow way, for help has been laid upon One who is mighty to help us conquer every temptation Matthew 7:142T 591.3. 😇