Foolish Digital Friends

Here's a bit of wise teaching about digital friends from an interview of C.J. Mahaney on biblical manhood (read to the whole thing over at The Shepherd's Scrapbook):

I would also say to that young man, when Proverbs says “the companion of fools will suffer harm,” you will not prove to be an exception to that (Proverbs 13:20). A wise son, a wise man, hangs out with wise men and therefore becomes wise. Proverbs warns us (as an expression of God’s kindness), “the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Now that harm is not always immediately obvious to a fool because often that harm begins in the form of a conscience that goes from sensitive to seared. So that harm isn’t always evident in consequences that are obvious to all. But be assured, the companion of fools will suffer harm.

And . . . we must understand that this category of “companion” is broader than just . . . individuals. Television is a companion. The Internet is a companion. The iPod is a companion. These are all means of transferring foolishness to one’s heart. . . .

It's a good question for all of us who live online and plugged-in. How much of our time do we spend in the company of entertaining fools? How much harm are we willing to endure to keep it up?