Friendship is a good thing.  And so, it is tempting to think that we should be friends with everyone we can – to feel that it is wrong or at least unkind to ever decline overtures of friendship from someone, or to ever decide that someone is simply not fit to be our friend.

But that would be a grave error.  The writer of Proverbs does not mince words:

“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Remember Lampwick, Pinocchio’s “friend,” who coaxed him to come along to the Land of Toys:

“Why don’t you come, too?” Lampwick said. “Where can you find a place that will agree better with you and me? No schools, no teachers, no books! In that blessed place there is no such thing as study… Days are spent in play and enjoyment from morn till night… ‘What a great land!’ said Pinocchio… ‘What a beautiful land! I have never been there, but I can well imagine it.”

Pinocchio went along indeed, and the two had a great deal of fun together…fun that lasted for quite a while.  But then one day, they “awoke to find a most unpleasant surprise”: They were beginning to turn into donkeys. 

Your friends will influence you.  Spending time with them will shape who you become.  Maybe not by giving you donkey ears, but they will change you, one way or the other, for better or for worse.  It is true for children; it is true for adults.  Paul had to remind the Corinthian church, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”  Not everyone is fit to be your friend.

So, choose wisely, for “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Have a wonderful day.