What does it mean to be unequally yoked?
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2Cor. 6:14) The bible states that if you are a believer you should not be joined together with unbelievers and if you do there can be no true fellowship between you.
This simply means that if you are a Christian you should only be in close relationship with other Christians. We usually attach this scripture to marriage unions but it is my belief that it pertains to any relationship; such as business partnerships or friendships. How can two walk together unless they agree?
What doesn’t unequally yoked mean?
There will be many times in life when you must associate with unbelievers. In your day to day responsibilities of work, school and other business or extracurricular activities you will surely have associations with unbelievers. Hopefully, most times you will actually enjoy there company. Think about it, if you never spend time with unbelievers how would you be able to witness to them and be an example of righteousness before them. But let us be honest, sometimes our flesh gets in the way and we use witnessing as an excuse to be in their presence. This can get us in a lot of trouble if we are not careful.
Also the subject of being unequally yoked has been used as an excuse to speak against interracial relationships. This is not what unequally yoked means. It has to do with your spirituality not your race. God is concerned about your spiritual compatibility not the color of your skin. Again, being of opposite races has nothing to do with being unequally yoked.
If you are a Christian that is striving to please God and desire to grow deeper in the ways of God you will feel more comfortable around other believers rather than unbelievers. As a believer, if you are feeling more comfortable in the presence of unbelievers than this should be a sign to you that something is amiss in your spiritual walk and only more time spent in the presence of God can answer as to why this is.
Why must we be equally yoked?
People of like minds and like Spirits strengthen one another. God has created us to be companions with one another and not loners hidden from society. You must remember in the book of Genesis when God looked at Adam and said it is not good for man to be alone. God was there. He understood that you can be in His presence and still be alone because you need other humans for companionship. God’s only requirement is that you fellowship with other believers. Other believers strengthen us, edify us and ensure that we stay on the right path and continue to grow in the ways of God.
Why should we not be unequally yoked?
The believer and the unbeliever belong to separate spirits. The believer belongs to God (1Cor. 6:20) and the unbeliever is under the spirit of the devil (John 8:44). God is only trying to protect his children. He understands that although you are His child, you are still human and capable of falling into sin. The more time you spend in the presence of unbelievers the more tempted you will be to let your guard down, fall into sin and possibly backslide and lose the close relationship you once shared with Christ. This means that you will face the consequences of sin and God’s correction. To avoid this God has simply stated that we must separate ourselves from unbelievers.
What to do if you are single?
If you are single and desire to be married then there are steps to take to ensure that you date and marry someone of the same spiritual belief as yourself. First, ask God to send the mate that He has ordained for your life. Only He knows who will fit your life perfectly. Secondly, ask God to give you the discernment to know when this person comes into your life. The devil sends people into your life as well and they will be disguised very well. God does not want you to choose the wrong person so He will give you the wisdom to know who is right for you. Lastly, God has given you the common sense to figure some things out for yourself. Heeding obvious signs and asking questions are ways to know if someone is right for you. If someone says they are a Christian but their actions dictate otherwise then this is a clear sign that God has not sent this person into your life.
Do not make the mistake of choosing someone yourself. This can cause a lifetime of heartache. Be patient and allow God to send the person that will be perfectly designed for your life.
What to do if you are married and unequally yoked?
Being unequally yoked in your marriage is not a reason for divorce. The bible offers two reasons for divorce; for reason of infidelity and if the unbeliever leaves the union the believer is not held responsible. Of course, God’s ultimate will is for married couples to work through difficulties and stay married if possible. There are two reasons why you may be in an unequally yoked marriage: 1.You and your spouse were equally yoked as unbelievers in the beginning and now you have become a Christian and he has not or 2. You were a believer in the beginning and disobediently married an unbeliever. If it is the latter reason then you still have hope because God is so good that he helps us out of situations that we have placed on ourselves.
Being married to an unbeliever is difficult and the closer you become with God the more difficult your marriage will become. You have two spirits warring against each other and the devil will fight against you every chance he gets to prevent you from having a happy and successful marriage. This is why you must consult God in every decision you make concerning your marriage as to prevent strife between you and your spouse. You must consistently be a righteous example in front of your spouse so that he will witness what it is to have a true relationship with Christ. And constantly pray that the truth of God is revealed and that he experiences true salvation with Christ.
Remember Acts16:31 states: …Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house. This means that you will not be the only believer in your house. You have the authority to pray for salvation for your husband because you are one with him and for your children whether they physically live in your house or not because they are your seed. So pray, be strong, faint not and have patience and watch God work miracles.
Be Blessed!
