What Does the Bible Say about Chess?

What does the Bible say about chess?

Chess is a game of strategy and skill that has been played for centuries. But what does the Bible say about chess? Does chess have any biblical relevance or significance? In this blog post, we will explore this question and look at some biblical principles and applications for chess and its players.

The Bible does not mention chess

The first thing to note is that the Bible does not mention chess by name or by description. Chess is a game that was developed in medieval to early modern Europe, based on earlier games from India and Persia. The Bible was written long before chess existed, and it does not address any specific games or sports. Therefore, we cannot find any direct or explicit biblical commands or instructions regarding chess.

However, this does not mean that the Bible is silent or irrelevant on the topic of chess. The Bible contains many general principles and guidelines that can apply to any aspect of life, including games and recreation. The Bible also contains many examples and illustrations that can teach us valuable lessons and insights, including some that can relate to chess and its players. Therefore, we can find some indirect or implicit biblical wisdom and direction regarding chess.

The Bible gives us freedom to play chess

One of the biblical principles that can apply to chess is the principle of Christian liberty or freedom. The Bible teaches us that God has given us freedom to enjoy His creation and His gifts, as long as we do not violate His moral law or His will. The Bible also teaches us that we are not bound by human traditions or rules that are not based on God’s word or authority. The Bible also teaches us that we are not to judge or condemn others for matters of conscience or preference, as long as they do not contradict God’s truth or love.

Therefore, we can conclude that playing chess is a matter of Christian liberty or freedom. Chess is not a sin or a violation of God’s law or will. Chess is not a human tradition or rule that we have to follow or avoid. Chess is not a matter of conscience or preference that we have to impose or criticize on others. Chess is a game that we can play for fun, for challenge, for learning, for fellowship, or for any other good purpose, as long as we do it in a way that honors God and loves our neighbor.

The Bible gives us responsibility to play chess wisely

Another biblical principle that can apply to chess is the principle of Christian stewardship or responsibility. The Bible teaches us that God has given us everything we have as a trust or a loan from Him, and that we have to use it wisely and faithfully for His glory and His kingdom. The Bible also teaches us that we have to be careful and discerning in how we spend our time, our money, our talents, our opportunities, and our resources. The Bible also teaches us that we have to be accountable and answerable to God for everything we do, say, think, or feel.

Therefore, we can conclude that playing chess is a matter of Christian stewardship or responsibility. Chess is not an end or a goal in itself, but a means or a tool that we have to use wisely and faithfully for God’s glory and His kingdom. Chess is not an excuse or a reason to neglect our time, our money, our talents, our opportunities, or our resources for other more important matters. Chess is not an activity or a hobby that we can do without any regard or concern for God’s will or His word. Chess is a game that we have to play with care and discernment, with accountability and answerability to God.

The Bible gives us examples to play chess humbly

A third biblical principle that can apply to chess is the principle of Christian humility or meekness. The Bible teaches us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The Bible also teaches us that we have to be humble and meek in our attitude and behavior towards God and towards others. The Bible also teaches us that we have to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Therefore, we can conclude that playing chess is a matter of Christian humility or meekness. Chess is not an opportunity or a platform to show off our skill, our intelligence, our strategy, or our superiority over others. Chess is not a competition or a contest to prove our worth, our value, our status, or our authority over others. Chess is not an occasion or a chance to boast in ourselves, in our achievements, in our victories, or in our trophies. Chess is a game that we have to play with humility and meekness, with grace and gratitude, with respect and kindness, with servanthood and sacrifice.

Conclusion

What does the Bible say about chess? The answer is that the Bible does not say anything about chess directly or explicitly, but it says a lot about chess indirectly or implicitly.

The Bible gives us freedom to play chess, but it also gives us responsibility to play chess wisely, and it also gives us examples to play chess humbly.

The Bible teaches us that chess is a game that we can enjoy and appreciate, but it also teaches us that chess is a game that we have to use and play for God’s glory and His kingdom.

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References

• Chess.com (n.d.). Bible Verse. Retrieved from https://www.chess.com/blog/Juliette99/bible-verse
• Bible Hub (n.d.). Topical Bible: Chess. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/topical/c/chess.htm
• StillFaith (n.d.). 47 Bible Verses About Chess (KJV). Retrieved from https://stillfaith.com/topics/chess/
• E-Hope4All (n.d.). Should Christians Play Chess Or This Is Something Harmful. Retrieved from http://www.e-hope4all.info/should-christians-play-chess/