“Separate yourselves from these evil men, lest you be involved in their sins, ‘’ said Moses to the people who ‘’rose up against Moses, and with them two hundred and fifty others of the children of Israel, leading men of the synagogue, and who in the time of assembly were called by name,’’ were clinging to Core, Abiron, and Dathan, Numbers 16. ‘’And the Lord said to Moses: Command the whole people to separate themselves from the tents of Core and Dathan and Abiron.’’ Vs.23-24. God himself commanded Moses to tell them this, because the men were lying on Moses, rejecting his authority that God had given him to guide the people, and were trying to impose themselves into the holy priesthood, as many infiltrators have done in our age. Let us see what happens to these men of schism and corruption.
Then Moses said to the people: “Depart from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be involved in their sins. And when they were departed from their tents round about, Dathan and Abiron coming out stood in the entry of their pavilions with their wives and children, and all the people. And Moses said: By this you shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all things that you see, and that I have not forged them of my own head: If these men die the common death of men, and if they be visited with a plague, wherewith others also are wont to be visited, the Lord did not send me. But if the Lord do a new thing, and the earth opening her mouth swallow them down, and all things that belong to them, and they go down alive into hell, you shall know that they have blasphemed the Lord. And immediately as he had made an end of speaking, the earth broke asunder under their feet: And opening her mouth, devoured them with their tents and all their substance. And they went down alive into hell the ground closing upon them, and they perished from among the people. But all Israel, that was standing round about, fled at the cry of them that were perishing: saying: Lest perhaps the earth swallow us up also. And a fire coming out from the Lord, destroyed the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense. Verses 26-35. Notice, they didn’t even die. They were swallowed alive into hell, body and soul. Not only that, but a fire came out of the earth and destroyed the 250 men who were in on their sin. What a valuable lesson this is for us to avoid bad company like the plague.
What about all the drunkards who frequent bars, drinking, cursing, blaspheming God’s Holy Name, and all those who join with them in all these things, laughing at each other’s crude jokes? How many sins are committed in bars? Not only that, but all the immodest women there as well inciting sins of lust. They give no thought to the day of judgement, as the scripture says, “Evil men think not on judgement.” Proverbs 28:5. Yet scripture warns us, “In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.” Ecclesiasticus 7:40. Remember man, one day you will die. You will be judged at death. You will be either saved forever if you repent and convert, or you will be damned forever in the eternal fire if you do not. At death your judgement is very swift, and if you are condemned, you will go to hell immediately and begin to be on fire, forever. “A fire is kindled in my wrath, and shall burn even to the lowest hell.’’ Deut. 32:22. If you cannot touch a hot stove, a match, a burner, a hot dish, how are you going to endure burning in the ‘’lake of fire.’’ “And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hell gave up their dead that were in them; and they were judged every one according to their works. And hell and death were cast into the pool of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the pool of fire.’’ Apocalypse (Rev)20:13-15.
If it were all over the news every day and night that certain crimes, let’s say, Hollywood actors and producers for example, who are corrupting so many souls by their evil communications and endless immodesty and evil talk, fornication and adultery, were going to be punished by apprehending the persons, and casting them into a red hot boiler the next day, and they were broadcasting the terrible sight of these evil men and women being cast in, you could see the flames in the red hot boiler, you could hear their death curdling screams, and then an officer on the camera points at the camera and says sternly, “If you are caught doing this crime, you will be next!” How long do you think , it would take to clean up Hollywood? Then you see this on the news every day for a week, more new people being cast in with their blood curdling screams, then for a month it’s on the news like a terrible virus spreading around, do you think you would begin to wake up? You hear sirens and police going through your neighborhood picking up new people, would you begin to get worried? If you were an alcoholic, would you continue to go to the bar? If you were a thief, would you continue to steal? If you were a drug pusher, would you continue to push drugs? If you were a corrupt judge or attorney, would you continue to judge against the innocent. “How long will you judge unjustly, and favor the cause of the wicked?” Psalm 81:2. How many millions and millions of little innocent babies have been killed because of unjust rulings by unjust judges?
“Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake, ye just, and sin not. For some have not the knowledge of God, I speak it to your shame.” 1 Cor. 1:33,34. Yes, associating with bad companions corrupts souls. How many millions of souls has Hollywood corrupted over the years? Do you realize that when you are watching a bad movie or show on TV or the internet, you are in an occasion of sin? “Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper. Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth. Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just. For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.” Psalm chapter one. Yes, blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. Blessed is that man who avoids bad company like the plague, and the occasions of sin, whatever they may be. Whatever he does will prosper, like a tree planted by the water, bringing forth good fruit. But woe to the wicked. Their way will perish, in “the pool of fire.”
St. Francis de Sales, writing to one of his spiritual children, had this reflection on balls and recreations: “While you were at the ball, there were souls in torment owing to sins committed or instigated under similar circumstances. And at the same time holy and pious men were serving God, singing his praise and contemplating his beauty. How much better was their time spent than yours?
While you were dancing, some souls departed this life in bitter anguish, and thousands of men and women were wandering in the streets, or lying on their beds of suffering, enduring the pains of fever and other diseases. They know no rest; will you not pity them, and remember that the day will come when you must suffer as they do now, while others will be dancing as you have done? Our Blessed Lord, His Mother, the Saints and Angels were watching you, and surely they pitied and lamented over you, seeing your heart occupied and pleased with such unsatisfying trifles.
While you are thus engaged, time slips on and death draws nigh. He mocks you, and calls you to join his dance, in which the music is the groaning for past sin, and in which you make but one step from life to death: this is the true pastime of men, since in it they pass in an instant from time to eternity, either of good or ill.” So, while we are enjoying life and possibly good health, we should remember those who are sick, those who are injured, the dying in hospitals and elsewhere, the souls in purgatory, the poor little children being brutally murdered in the womb, and pray for the sanctification of their souls. We should remember the children who are abducted, victims of abuse, little children born in godless homes, and we should remember the souls in hell who are burning continually because they did not avoid the occasions of sin, and are lost forever, and pray, that we don’t go there. Because only those who persevere to the end shall be saved, Jesus said.
One cannot walk into a barnyard where cows have been without getting manure on his shoes. Neither can one walk into an occasion of sin without being defiled by it. Neither can one walk into a steel factory where all the grinding is going on and not get pitch on himself. “He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride.” Ecclesiasticus 13:1. If we do not wish to increase our guilt of sin, we must avoid bad company, bad influence through the airwaves and radio and internet, and any other occasions of sin. We must always fear offending God, who gave His only begotten Son for our salvation, or it will not go easy for us if we despise His grace. “Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin:” Ecclesiasticus 5:5
Prayer: O Lord, I am living in a wicked world, surrounded with dangers that lead to perdition. I am like a child, not knowing how to walk on, or follow the true way. Give, therefore, to Thy servant an understanding heart, to discern between good and evil. Make me understand how great an evil sin is, and how great a good it is to love Thee above all things. Give me a great hatred of sin, the gift of devout prayer, and make me love Thee most ardently to the end of my life. Amen.
He who says this prayer every day, and avoids the occasions of sin and bad company, will save his soul. If you have found this article helpful, in your charity, please consider sharing it with others.