In the past, we’ve told you about many safe video games for Christians that aren’t faith-based, and now we’re going to start telling you about specific games. In this new series, we’ll tell you whether popular new games are okay for born-again Christians or if their content goes against what we believe and can be considered sinful. We start out by asking the question: Is Ninja Gaiden 4 okay for Christians?
What is Ninja Gaiden 4?
Before we answer the question of is Ninja Gaiden 4 okay for Christians, let’s tell you more about the game and the premise. The game was recently released on October 21st for PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows.
In the game, you primarily play as ninjas named Yakumo and Ryu as they fight against a fake god that is wreaking havoc across the world. Both ninjas use a variety of weapons, mostly swords and other violent tools like drills and metal claws, in this action-packed game. Often, the violence results in decapitation, dismemberment, and characters being cut in half.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is rated “M for Mature 17+” by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). It earns that rating due to:
- Intense violence, including excessive blood and gore
- Strong language
- Suggestive themes and lewd behavior
Needless to say, the game is not for the squeamish. Even people who aren’t Christians may have a hard time playing it if they don’t like violence and gore. Parents should be cautious if young kids and teens ask for money to purchase the game.
Is Ninja Gaiden 4 Okay for Christians?
While the game really isn’t suitable for young people who don’t have God, the question is, should Christians stay away as well? Let’s take the potential issues one point at a time from a Christian perspective.
Violence
The game is full of excessive blood and gore. You’re essentially going through every moment of the game fighting people, cutting them with swords, cutting off body parts, stabbing people to death, and cutting off heads. Along the way, blood is spraying everywhere, and it can be quite horrific.
From a Christian standpoint, the issue with violence comes down to the individual. The Holy Bible is filled with violence, especially in the Old Testament. In the real world, killing people is against one of the holiest commandments. Hurting people for no reason is also considered a sin. However, playing it in a video game is not the same. Still, if you have a choice between playing a bloodthirsty game like this or a more wholesome choice, God would be happy if you choose the more innocent game.
When it comes to violence in the real or virtual world, a good way to decide if you should be doing it is to ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Jesus Christ did not go around hurting people. God sometimes called for vengeance in the Old Testament, but the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ took care of that.
If violent video games existed when Jesus was walking the earth, he would likely have a problem with them, so take that into deep consideration when deciding if you should play Ninja Gaiden 4.
Strong language
God doesn’t like cursing and swearing, and that’s not just limited to saying his name in vain. He doesn’t like foul language. One of the first things that happens to new, born-again Christians is that they no longer like swearing or hearing cursing like they used to. Jesus would never say any of the curse words people say today.
Some of the verses in the bible related to dirty language include:
- Colossians 3:5: But how ye also put off all these things: filthy communication out of your mouth.
- Ephesians 4:29: Let not corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.
- Proverbs 4:24: Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
If you are truly born again, it means you are going to heaven when you die. It also means that you won’t like hearing the swearing that you’ll hear in Ninja Gaiden 4, which includes the F-word.
Suggestive Themes and Lewd Behavior
Finally, the ESRB ratings board says that Ninja Gaiden 4 includes suggestive themes and lewd behavior. Some of the lewd behavior includes female characters with clothing that exposes deep cleavage. One of the female characters’ breasts also jiggles during cut scenes.
While there is no nudity in the game, such images can be bad news for Christians, young and old. Dirty thoughts are one of Satan’s main weapons that he uses to keep all of us deep in sin. God is very against us objectifying women and having lustful thoughts. It’s so serious that he says that even looking at a woman on TV with lust is the same as cheating on your wife (Matthew 5:28).
Some people are addicted to dirty videos and pornographic content, and that addiction can be easily triggered. Sometimes just seeing a woman in tight clothing can cause a man to sin and do things that God loathes. So, if you have a problem in that area, you must be cautious when playing Ninja Gaiden 4, or just about any other video game they make these days.
Final Answer
So, is Ninja Gaiden 4 okay for Christians? The answer is no.
If you’re a born-again Christian, you’re likely going to have a hard time playing the game without your conscience eating at you. Yes, there are worse video games out there, but the language and lewd behavior in the game are not suitable for children or adult Christians who want to further their walk with God.
We don’t recommend playing the game if your faith is not strong enough to handle what you see. Instead, play one of these more innocent games that are just as fun, if not more entertaining, then the Ninja Gaiden series.
Before You Play Your Next Video Game, Read This!!
While video games can be fun, the real way to find true happiness is to accept Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior. Whether we like it or not, we are all sinners, but Jesus paid the ultimate price so we can be forgiven and go to heaven after we die.
By accepting Jesus and accepting that he died on the cross and that his blood covers our sins, we can be forgiven and finally be truly happy. We can forget about the stress and anxiety of this world and look forward to a wonderful life in heaven.
All you have to do is pray, ask Jesus to be your savior, and ask for forgiveness of your sins. If you really mean it, you can be born again. You won’t be so obsessed with the bad things in this world, and you can be truly happy.
Will you take the big step? Say yes, and you can go to heaven.
We hope you will!
Happiness through Faith 
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