Guys, I've had some recent concerns over the British TV show 'The Inbetweeners.' It's a crude comedy but myself and my Christian girlfriend find it absolutely hilarious. Are we bad Christians finding it funny if it doesn't have an impact on how we behave everyday?
Are you bad Christians for finding it funny? Of course not!
Think about it: can you control what you find funny or not? No, you cannot. Can you be blamed for something you cannot control? No, you cannot. What is the logical conclusion?
Beware, however, that, if you think it is bad, it might be more profitable to you if you could avoid it. Do not forget that we are easily corrupted by the world around us. It is not at random that we are warned against associating with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14); this does not mean you have to be completely separate from the world or that you can only have Christian friends, but that you should be careful regarding that. It is natural that, if you often hang out with friends who commonly swear, you will eventually begin to swear as well; and it is natural that, if you often watch TV shows that are inappropriate and/or encourage any sort of misbehaviour for a Christian, you may begin to be affected by that and begin to exhibit that same behaviour (or, at least, signs of it).
So, you are not forbidden from watching that programme. However, do not make it a priority. Never forget to read the Bible or to pray — focus on strengthening your relationship with God. And ask him that he would remove any desire for evil that you may have accumulated in your heart. It may happen that, as you do this, God will make you see that programme with his eyes — in other words, that he will show you what is good and bad about that show, and how watching it is likely to influence your life and your relationship with him. Do not forget that, although you may think that this show does not in any way impact your everyday life, maybe it really does, without your noticing. Think about it.
To summarise, no, it is not bad that you find it funny. However, you should ponder whether or not it really is beneficial and whether or not it really damages your relationship with God (bearing in mind that such damage may occur slowly, without even your noticing very easily) — if you conclude that it does damage it, you should stop watching it.
Always bear in mind what Paul wrote:
‘“I have the right to do anything,” you say — but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” — but I will not be mastered by anything’ (1 Corinthians 6:12); and again, later on:
‘“I have the right to do anything,” you say — but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” — but not everything is constructive’ (1 Corinthians 10:23).