The "Facebook" Friend

I've noticed a shocking trend perhaps enlarged by the massive amount of casual acquaintance that know everything we do everyday, thank you social networking. The funny thing about facebook friends, they don't really love you, at least not all of your facebook friends do. I've noticed comments on "statuses" that say "Don't worry about what other people think." "Do what makes you happy."
These are usually in response to a complaining post. These people think that they're leaving a supportive remark that will help their discontent "friend." There is a flaw in this logic, and exposes this "friend" for what they truly are. Let's look at the difference between a real friend and a "facebook" friend, shall we?
The first difference is this:
A facebook friend doesn't tell you the truth, but a real friend does. A real friend is concerned for your well being above that of your feelings, and tells the truth in love. If they think you're doing something that may bring harm to you or someone you love, a real friend can't stand to see you travel down that path.
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Galatians 6:1
Another difference is that when you are harming yourself, your friend will feel that pain as well. They won't leave a one sentence remark, but they truly experience your pain, though maybe not as acutely as you do, with you.
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
Also, a real friend doesn't attempt to appease your pride, but recognizes that we all must consider others' happiness, and we must do so before our own. You see, we are all concerned when others don't care about our happiness, so let us care about the happiness of others.
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." - Philippians 2:3 (Emphasis added)
In closing your real friends will: tell the truth which includes things you don't want to hear it, stand beside you, physically and emotionally, carrying your burden with you, and they will encourage you to love others' more than yourself, to treat them better than you would like to be treated! Most importantly, your friend will build you up in your relationship with the Lord. If spending time with someone, in reality or virtually, causes your relationship with Christ to degrade at all that person is no friend to you.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." - Psalm 1
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." - 1 John 4:7 & 8