God and Cybergod

When we play poker, we want to win -- but we also want to have some fun, and perhaps start a conversation which leads to ministry.  In one online game the other day, that latter part clearly rubbed another player the wrong way.


Cybergodsig won Main pot 24,749 with Full house, nines full of tens
Me: very good
Me: But you're not God

Calling out a false "god" may seem harsh.  But it's what followers of the true God have done for thousands of years -- even in New Testament times.

And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia.  He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. - Acts 19:26

These were the words of a man who created silver shrines for another god (verse 24).  His business was at risk from Paul's preaching - and the man we played responded as if we'd threatened him the same way.

Cybergodsig: *** off

Me: Not my God, at least....

Really now -- would a true God answer a critic by using censored language?

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. - Psalm 12:6

In contrast, our opponent moved toward pure trash talk:

Cybergodsig: you going bye bye

Cybergodsig: chump

"Chump?"  Both of us were sitting at a semifinal online table - out of a tournament with 577 players.  But then came a fun-sounding showdown between two other players....


Pokerpiz won Main pot 6,928 with Two pair, kings and sixes
THEWIZ is returned 6,152 extra chips from Side pot 1
Me: Wiz v. Piz
THEWIZ won Main pot 22,856 with Full house, tens full of sixes
Cybergodsig: shut it
Pokerpiz eliminated from the tournament (he/she has lost all his/her chips)
Me: very good
Cybergodsig: *** talker
THEWIZ: TY

What do you think of this?  Is it wrong or impolite to talk at a poker table at all -- even online?  Your comments are welcome; this topic will continue in a future post.