When I had the idea of writing a post about The Office, I wasn’t sure if I should actually do it. I wanted to discuss my thoughts on this TV show, but I realized my thoughts on it weren’t positive. Obviously, I decided to go for it because you’re reading this post. Though I understand the words I share in this post might make you feel uncomfortable, I’m willing to say uncomfortable things if they ultimately help you grow in your relationship with God.
Hot Take Ahead
I wanted to like The Office. I really did. In fact, I tried to get into this TV show a couple different times. I’ve seen multiple episodes of it. And I’ll admit it can be very relatable and amusing.
But I couldn’t get past the vulgarity in The Office.
When I watched it, I didn’t feel uplifted or encouraged or even neutral. I felt icky. And I have a hunch that the reason I felt so icky while watching it is because it has icky stuff in it—from crude jokes to immoral themes.
I can get past some negative elements in a TV show or movie if it has redemptive elements too. If good ultimately wins over evil. If biblical themes like kindness, forgiveness, or sacrificial love are present.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find any redemptive elements in The Office.
Walking out of the Office
As I’ve said in many posts on TTT, everyone has different convictions. You might not have the same conviction I have about avoiding The Office, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean I’m a good Christian and you’re a bad Christian. Please don’t take that away from this post because that’s not what this post is about.
Rather, this post is about being willing to see the cons in something that most people praise. It’s about being willing to listen to the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit when He says to walk away from something you enjoy. It’s about being willing to avoid something that’s trendy, relatable, or funny if it ultimately hinders your spiritual growth.
Friends, the culture desperately wants us to consume crude and rude content. But that content is not for us. As Christians, we can’t simply consume content—good or bad—and assume it won’t affect us. This is a reality I’m personally struggling to accept, but it’s true.
If you’re considering giving up The Office, I encourage you to go for it. I promise there are better things to watch. I’ll share one of those “better things” with you next week.
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (Ephesians 5:4 NLT)
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