There are so many times when we’re watching TV and we see something with a sexual reference. There is often the question of whether Christians should watch shows such as Friends or Two and a Half Men, even though they are funny, because of their sexual references. It is said that Christians should keep watch over what they put before their eyes and ears.

Many Christians may not be influenced by what they watch on TV. They may only watch the shows because they enjoy them. While others may be influenced to act in the way they see their favorite characters acting. Some may figure that if characters on TV act the way they do, then it is an open invitation to act in the same immoral way.

Just because I watch any of these shows doesn’t mean it makes me want to do any of the things they do in the episodes. I simple enjoy them and laugh even with the sexual references. I personally don’t think it’s a bad thing to watch those TV shows even if you’re a Christian.  I know the comments and actions aren’t pure, but I don’t exactly think it’s a sin to watch any show that makes you laugh.

If these hit shows were known to influences people in negative ways, then they would be taken off the airway, way slower than it would be if the shows had been Christian programming. I’m sure many people have called in and emailed the networks that show Friends and Two and a Half Men, and complained about how those shows are wrong. Those producers have gotten quite an earful I’m sure. People can be easily offended by anything that is on TV nowadays. It is up to us to see how these programs affect us.  We can either continue to watch them or turn them off and watch something more wholesome.

If you think shows such as Friends or Two and a Half Men are so wrong that you can’t watch them, that is completely your choice. God isn’t going to strike you down because you enjoy any impure TV shows. I know it says watch what you put before your eyes in the Bible but, we also are given the freedom by God and the choice to enjoy whatever show we want.

Mathew 6:22-23 says, 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” This doesn’t mean that everything we do is wrong, but it means we should be careful and vigilant about the things we say and do to ourselves and to others.

1st John 2:15-17 says, 15 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Although this verse says, do not love the world or anything in the world, it doesn’t mean that we can’t love what God has given us in the world such as our family, jobs and our friends or watching TV.

It just means that we have to be careful not to put too many lustful, sexual, or impure things before our eyes that could cause us to sin, or lead others around us into temptation.

It also means we have to be willing to turn away from temptation and do God’s good work and lead others to the security of Christ through His salvation.

Mathew 5:29 says 29 “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into Hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into Hell.”

This verse can be easily confused to mean that we literally should gouge our own eyes out because of seeing or watching something like a TV show that is sinful. It also says to cut off one of our hands if they too cause us to sin. It sounds like a hard verse to understand. But it can mean that if any body part that we have, may cause us to sin, we have to retrain that part of ourselves to not look towards the evil and temptation of this world in order to avoid eternal damnation in Hell.

It is all around tempting to watch Friends and Two and a Half Men, and there are even worse shows than the ones mentioned. We have the power to resist the temptation and think about the shows God deems holy, even if it means giving up our favorites. If you are watching any of the shows and they make you feel dirty or upset, it cloud be a sign from God to stop watching them. Listen to what God is telling you. Maybe try giving them up for 40 days in Lent and see if you feel any better. If you feel better not watching them, then, you have your answer.

God gives you the freedom to watch whatever TV shows you’d like to. Since it can be hard to discern which ones you should watch because of your faith, really listen to the material of your favorite show. Does it sound immoral, or wrong? Do the characters say and do immoral things such as have sex with many partners and act as if it’s ok?  That’s how you can figure out if you should give them up or not. God will put it on your heart to stop watching the shows or not.

Pray for discernment and He will give you the right answer.