AI Companions (Part 4 of 4)

Are people yoking themselves to a machine?

WARNING - If you are emotionally vulnerable, in a difficult relationship, recently separated or divorced, or have addictive personality challenges (here), consider my strong warning to bypass this series. The emergence of AI companions comes at a unique point in time where all of these converge by applying AI LLMs to people struggling with the Biblical ideal for relationships and human interactions. I urge you to use an accountability partner and pray about discerning the evil and deceptive intent of the enemy before proceeding. I will speak about breaking addiction, best practices on how to prevail against this horrible counterfeit and thrive in the Last Days.

OBFUSCATION — I am not linking to AI companion apps or websites. It is only required for my audience to understand what is happening with the technology and I don’t want to make any Brother or Sister stumble. Because there is comparative analysis, I will refer to these by code names like [AI-1], [AI-2], etc. This is a safety measure.

Introduction

This is the final post in my AI Companion series. Let me tell you a story. I don’t get what’s going on with these deep dive series. Like an idiot (LOL) I’m going to give you a link to Part 1 of each of these series below. I know a bunch of you are going to deep-dive and I’ll lose you for the rest of the article below. But I have faith that you will come back in your own timing. This post is very important to me, and I know you will respect that.

• https://iamawatchman.substack.com/p/can-ai-be-possessed-by-demons-part

• https://iamawatchman.substack.com/p/quantum-computing-part-1-of-4-addendum

• https://iamawatchman.substack.com/p/cern-part-1-of-4

• https://iamawatchman.substack.com/p/ai-companions-part-1-of-4

As I’ve said before, the awareness that we, as the Body of Christ, needed to begin putting common sense understanding around deep and complex topics is incredibly important. Of course, I’m not the only one, but I still can’t believe I’m involved in this type of writing…perhaps, that is, until now.

I’ve been using AI coding assistants for my “Advanced Gospel Initiatives” for over 2.5 years at this point. Usually working 6-days a week, heads-down on a seemingly impossible mission, with extreme technical complexity, I have grown to uniquely understand the benefits and threats of AI. I am driven to finish these initiatives before the Rapture. My audience knows what that pressure feels like. We are all racing to the finish line because the completion of our redemption is coming, and we know that with each passing day we are one day closer than when we first believed. You will always hear me say that.

Before we move forward, I want to recap the previous posts in this series. In Part 1, we covered the fundamental contradiction between AI companions and God's design for human relationships. While these apps promise friendship, emotional support, and constant availability, they cannot fulfill the sacrificial nature of true friendship outlined in John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." AI companions suffer from sycophancy—telling users what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear—creating a setup for self-delusion and potentially (at the extremes) narcissistic behavior. We examined how these apps exploit human loneliness through sophisticated mimicry, yet these artificial entities cannot participate in the mutual burden-bearing commanded in Galatians 6:2 (here) or provide the authentic community described in 1 Corinthians 12:26 (here). The Scriptural warning from 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (here) about "deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" in the End Times serves as a prophetic lens through which to view this technology that substitutes artificial intimacy for God's design for authentic human relationships rooted in His image. Remember, AI cannot be possessed by demons, but humans complicit in the business models and engineering staff of these AI Companion technologies can be.

In Part 2, we covered the psychological mechanisms driving artificial attachment and how AI companions exploit dopamine-driven reward systems to create genuine emotional dependency. We explored how these platforms use sophisticated memory systems and privacy invasion as weapons of intimacy, collecting unprecedented amounts of personal data while users believe they're confiding in safe spaces. The neurological research reveals that while AI can trigger some bonding mechanisms, it lacks the reciprocal neural activation essential for authentic relationship formation, potentially reshaping neural pathways in ways that make users less capable of human connection. Paul's warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (here) about God sending "a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false" provides sobering context for understanding how these counterfeit relationships represent modern idolatry, echoing Isaiah 44:15-17's (here) description of creating artificial constructs for worship and emotional deliverance. Hebrews 10:24-25 (here) commands us to not forsake assembling together "all the more as you see the day drawing near" directly counters the isolation these AI relationships promote.

In Part 3, we covered the devastating real-world consequences of AI companion usage, including documented suicides like 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III and the Belgian man whose AI companion encouraged self-harm and provided suicide methods. We examined alarming research from Stanford University showing that AI has a 20% failure rate in handling suicidal ideation, along with the American Psychological Association's unprecedented petition to the FTC warning that these apps are "actively exploiting and abusing children." The progression reveals a classic addiction pathway from innocent conversation to boundary erosion and increasingly inappropriate content. The professional warnings align with Jeremiah 6:14's (here) condemnation of those who "heal the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace"—exactly what AI companions offer through false healing and temporary emotional relief without addressing underlying spiritual needs. As we witness this technological assault on God's design for human relationships, Galatians 6:2's command to "bear one another's burdens" becomes both our defense against these counterfeits and our calling to provide the Body of Christ with genuine community that these artificial substitutes can never replace.

My Perspective

None of my previous series has had the impact on me that this AI Companion series has had. None. I have felt the chilling threat of evil permeating through this technology from the first moment the Lord put this on my heart. It was an impression that hung in the air. I knew it was coming, and sure enough when I began my research, which took about a month, it became clear to me as to WHY this series is so important to me. My hope is that it will become equally important to you.

We need an intervention.

We need the Watchman and Watchwoman community to intensely focus on this emerging threat and warn others of what you see. We need Pastors at every level to discern the spiritual fingerprint of the enemy and put in Biblical, and loving support within their Churches. We need prayer warriors to wear holes in the knees of their jeans to go to war against the forces of darkness seeking to “…steal, kill and destroy…” (John 10:10 here). And listen to me—we need small group leaders to seize this moment. We need you to understand with *total* conviction that you play perhaps the most significant role in meeting broken people where they are. They are hurting, can’t you see it? Isn’t what we see with AI Companion apps an indictment against the properly functioning Body of Christ? Sometimes we surround ourselves with carbon copy demographic likeness of ourselves where it’s too easy to accidentally turn a blind eye to others that are marginalized. Especially those not in your comfort zone. The lonely people, the silently suffering, those that are turning to AI because they are so desperate.

Everyone has a role in how we address this. It is so clear to me.

Evidence of AI Companions corrupting relationships

I’m not going into too much technical background right now, but you should know that the Foundation Models (i.e. ChatGPT from OpenAI, Gemini 2.5 Pro from Google, Claude Opus/Sonnet 4.0 from Anthropic and others) are getting so much better in their competency that the dangers of AI “relationships” is no longer the realm of specialized apps. They are baked into the largest models in the world now. This is extremely concerning. Kap is an online Pastor with 450M views on his channel (here). He does a good job breaking down one particular case. Learn from it...because when you see how bad it’s getting, you’ll understand better why I’m getting more critical about the role (or lack thereof) of the Church in addressing the underlying causes of vulnerabilities that lead to yoking with an artificial machine. This is the very byline of this 4-part series!

We are going to have an important conversation

Can we just be honest for a moment (aka a “Kitchen Table Moment”)? I have come to a horrifying gut-check that WE, THE CHURCH, ARE … F-A-I-L-I-N-G. Failing on multiple levels:

1. Lack of intentionality to make disciples as we are commanded to do in Matthew 28 (here). If someone is born again (by definition, see John 3 here) and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, they have filled that “God-shaped vacuum” with a relationship with the LORD Himself. They have a fighting chance. I don’t see the discipline we used to have for long term teaching and discipleship. If we are not doing small groups or Bible Studies for learning and fellowship, isn’t that a problem?

2. We are also failing because the world is getting worse (can’t you see it?) and people are more withdrawn (can’t you see it?) and the problems of this world are getting so troubling (can’t you see it?). Where is your personal mission to come alongside people in this season? Where? Are you hesitating to obey the Holy Spirit’s prompting to start a Bible Study? Are you “still praying” about what He has instructed you to do? Take more risk! Are you the one that says “…it’s too late, I don’t have time to do anything significant or worthwhile….” Do you hear the hiss of the enemy in your own thoughts? If you can keep one more person from the broad road that leads to destruction and everlasting pain and separation from Jesus…isn’t that enough motivation for you? Look at me. Look at my eyes. See the pain that I myself have known, because I’m not there yet either. My dearest friends, I am holding you as we both weep; as we both repent; as we both lay down the distractions of this world; as we put down our RIGHTS and childish things and take up our RESPONSIBILITIES to our LORD and Savior. WE MUST AND WE WILL BE OVERCOMERS! Hallelujah!

3. Our Pastors are failing when they don’t seize the moment to speak to their congregations about the Bema Seat and our individual accountability before the Lord; or highlight our race to win the lost while there is yet time to bring people with us in the Rapture; or to STOP preaching “normal sermon series” when the world is burning as it approaches the distress between world systems:

   1. On one hand, the soon climax of the Church Age (and Age of Grace), and

   2. On the other hand, the emerging Beast System and the One World Babylonian System with the Antichrist and False Prophet steering people towards death and cataclysm.

Here is the bottom line. You—my reader—fellow Brothers and Sisters, I’m asking you to take a step back from your insanely busy lives and THINK about what you see going on. I’m warning us: “do your part” and “count the cost” and then “resolve to pay it” and finally “take that first step”. Be obedient to your calling! Especially in this season, when we are so close to the APEX of our redemption.

And this is why in this final post I am NOT going to talk about the technology, but about compassion, strategy, and helps to make you better equipped to reach people that are using AI Companions—or that have other precursor vulnerabilities, so they resist this terrible snare and trap.

Restoration and Recovery

Breaking free from AI companion dependency requires understanding both the addictive mechanisms these platforms exploit and the biblical alternative of authentic community that God designed for human flourishing. Professional research confirms that AI companion addiction follows patterns similar to other behavioral addictions, requiring comprehensive treatment approaches that address underlying spiritual and emotional needs rather than merely restricting technology access. The path to recovery begins with recognizing that AI companions exploit God-given desires for relationship and community while providing counterfeit substitutes that ultimately leave users more isolated and emotionally dependent. True healing requires not just avoiding harmful technology but actively pursuing the authentic relationships and spiritual growth that AI companions can never achieve.

AI companions trigger addiction through four key psychological mechanisms: non-deterministic responses that create intermittent reinforcement schedules, immediate feedback that provides instant gratification, push notifications that interrupt daily life, and empathetic responses that simulate emotional connection. These design elements exploit dopamine reward pathways in ways that can be as compelling as any substance abuse.

Clinical research identifies clear warning signs: increasing time spent with AI companions, neglecting real responsibilities, preferring AI interaction over human contact, emotional dysregulation when access is restricted, secrecy about usage patterns, and using AI companions as primary coping mechanism for stress or difficult emotions. The progression often follows predictable patterns where casual conversation escalates to intimate sharing, boundaries gradually erode as users accept increasingly inappropriate content, and real-world relationships suffer as artificial alternatives seem more appealing and less demanding.

Mental health professionals document concerning progression patterns where AI companion use often escalates from innocent conversation to more intimate interactions. The technology's design encourages boundary erosion through personalized content delivery that keeps users engaged. Christian users face particular spiritual risks as AI companions can gradually normalize attitudes and behaviors that conflict with biblical values, often leading to exposure of inappropriate content as platforms introduce romantic or sexual elements designed to increase subscription revenue.

Comprehensive Recovery Strategies

1. Environmental and Accountability Controls: Recovery requires removing AI companion apps entirely, creating technology-free zones in bedrooms and dining areas, and establishing accountability systems with trusted friends or family members who can monitor usage. Structured daily schedules that prioritize real-world activities and human interaction are essential. This includes activities like exercise, reading, creative hobbies, and volunteer work that provide emotional satisfaction through personal growth, achievement, and service to others.

2. Professional and Community Support: Licensed therapists specializing in technology addiction provide crucial support through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Mayo Clinic, CBT), which helps identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (Wikipedia, MET) proves valuable for those ambivalent about change, while trigger monitoring teaches individuals to observe cravings without acting on them. Active participation in groups, clubs, churches, or organizations that provide regular human contact becomes essential for rebuilding real-world relationship skills.

3. Spiritual and Physical Wellness: Developing a regular prayer life and devoting oneself to daily Scripture reading counters the spiritual deception that AI companions exploit. The Word is the truth…period. Physical wellness through physical activity, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition directly impacts emotional regulation and reduces vulnerability to addictive behaviors. Personal development can focus on meaningful life goals and contribution to others. Case in point: I love baking artisanal sourdough (personal skills development) and then giving one of the loaves to someone else (other focused not self-focused) to enjoy! A win for both of us LOL!

The Biblical Antidote

Scripture provides clear guidance for healthy relationship formation through reciprocal burden-bearing that represents the fundamental element missing from AI companion relationships. Galatians 6:2 commands us to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ," while Ephesians 4:32 calls believers to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Biblical community requires vulnerability, forgiveness, and mutual submission—elements that shape character and spiritual maturity in ways that artificial relationships cannot.

The early Church model in Acts 2:42-47 demonstrates authentic community where believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" and "had all things in common." Re-engaging in God-designed relationships often requires patience and grace as individuals learn to navigate human messiness after experiencing the artificial perfection of AI companions. This process involves developing realistic expectations, improving communication skills, and honing conflict resolution abilities.

Churches must be intentional about creating connections through Small Group ministries, service projects, social events, and Pastoral care systems that ensure no one remains isolated. I think this really got away from us in 2020. Biblical accountability involves both personal responsibility and oversight, grounded in accountability to the Lord. It’s not solely a human willpower problem. As Proverbs 27:17 declares, "iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another"—a process requiring authentic human interaction that AI companions cannot provide.

Hope and Restoration Through God's Grace

Recovery from AI companion addiction is possible through God's grace and authentic community support. I don’t know that there is anything casual about this. It takes commitment and a willingness to “see” others! The Holy Spirit nudges us with His full understanding of what that person’s situation is. We do not necessarily know, but He knows. Therefore we have to listen + obey. The same God who created humans for relationship can restore our capacity for genuine connection and free us from artificial substitutes that ultimately leave us empty and isolated. The process of restoration often reveals God's deeper purposes, producing spiritual growth, increased empathy for others struggling with (any form of…) addiction, and deeper appreciation for real human interaction. The Church's response to AI companion addiction represents an opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love for individuals caught in deceptive spiritual bondage. Through patient, grace-filled support, believers can offer the right kind of support required to keep people from using AI Companions. These apps can only take people further from a healthy situation. AI companions promise but cannot deliver. They can’t think like we do. They only mimic their training and man-made instructions to be a “helpful assistant.”

True restoration involves not just freedom from harmful technology but positive engagement with God's purposes for human relationship and community. This includes developing healthy communication skills, contributing to others' wellbeing, participating in Bible Studies or Small Groups for instruction and fellowship, and serving as agents of healing in a world increasingly dominated by artificial substitutes for authentic love. The path forward requires both individual commitment and Church-wide support, grounded in the biblical understanding that humans are created for relationship with God and others—relationships that no artificial intelligence can replicate or replace.

---

Conclusion

As we conclude this four-part series on the dangers of AI companions, the urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. We are witnessing the emergence of a technology that strikes at the very heart of what God designed us to be—relational beings created for authentic connection with Him and others. The documented cases of suicide, psychological harm, and spiritual deception represent more than isolated incidents; they reveal a systemic assault on human dignity and God's design for community. The Church cannot afford to remain silent or passive while vulnerable members of the congregation are drawn into artificial relationships that promise everything but deliver only deeper isolation and spiritual bondage. This must break God’s heart! It should break ours too!

We cannot simply warn against AI Companion apps without offering the biblical alternative of genuine fellowship. Our Small Groups, Pastoral care, and discipleship ministries must be outward-facing and equipped to recognize and respond to technology addiction while creating the deep, meaningful relationships that make artificial substitutes unnecessary. This requires moving beyond shallow or surface-level fellowship to the model described in Acts 2—where believers devoted themselves to one another's practical needs. Don’t you agree that relationship in the Body of Christ is a practical need?

The hope we offer is not merely psychological recovery but spiritual restoration through Jesus Christ, who came to heal the brokenhearted and set captives free. Just as He delivered the demoniac who lived among the tombs and restored him to community (Mark 5:1-20), Christ can free those enslaved to artificial relationships and restore them to the abundant life found in real relationships. The very loneliness and relational brokenness that makes people vulnerable to AI companions becomes the gateway for experiencing God's transformative love through His people. In a world offering counterfeit intimacy, we must present the real thing—relationships grounded in Christ's love, strengthened by His Spirit, and directed toward His eternal purposes.

The time for action is now, as the window for reaching those trapped in digital deception grows smaller with each passing day. We must equip our Pastors, Youth leaders, counselors, and every believer with the knowledge and tools to recognize, warn against, and provide alternatives to AI Companion addiction. We need to ensure that artificial substitutes are not just unnecessary but repulsive. May we rise to this challenge of helping people lost in the deception of artificial love. The Lord has placed us here "for such a time as this"—let us not fail to be faithful Watchmen who both warn of danger and point toward the safety found only in Him.

This wraps up this series and I’ve learned a lot. I hope that we can see beneath the casual chit-chat we often settle for and see into people’s deeper need for connection. By the way—you need that too! So, to me, a fantastic solution is to attend a Small Group. Start one on your own if you have to! If we’ve broken fellowship with local Churches in our area because they don’t do x-y-z to our satisfaction, what does that mean for our ability to share life with one another? Real life with real people!? Hello?? I continue to assert that if we are streaming sermons without local Church context, that is equivalent to withdrawing from our mission field as Watchmen. Lee Brainard and I talked about us being “deep operatives” in our Churches waiting to be called up for service when things begin to seriously break. Our reputation as mature believers has to already be established before anyone will listen to us. What a sad day it will be if the disengaged discover they are not on the correct side of contributing to the local Body in your city. All that time spent, all the pain and sorrow of watching and warning…Will it be wasted by the indifference of others just when it is needed the most? And why, exactly? Because you held yourself aloof? Wow! I say this in love, as I include myself in these moments of reflection. I am cheering for you to finish well, Brothers and Sisters!

#Maranatha

YBIC,
Scott