Unequally Yoked
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14
We are created for relationships and we all seek friends with similar interests. Why is God telling us not to be yoked with unbelievers? In 12-step programs where people are trying to overcome addictions, they talk about the importance of people, places, and things. We have a natural desire to be accepted by others and this desire can eventually lead us astray if we continually associate with unbelievers.
If we fellowship with Godly people, we become a Godly person. But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) There is power in the fellowship with Christians because the relationship is through the Holy Spirit. This is why people in God’s family are drawn together, unlike the way of the world where Satan strives to separate people on their differences.
If we choose to have a close relationship with an unbeliever, thinking we can change them to become a believer, the statistics for success are dim. I have known many men who have left their Christian recovery program for a relationship with an unbeliever. These men are new to the faith and are overcoming their addiction. They migrate toward the places and things of the unbeliever and most often return to their addiction.
If you are a Christian unequally yoked to your spouse, make sure you have a strong Christian family, the church. We cannot change other people, but other people may change when they see the Godly change in us. I have seen someone change because God changed their spouse. In most cases it takes months or years, and persistent prayer is essential.
Christians minister to anyone who will listen, which means we care about unbelievers and will spend time with them to help them in their physical and spiritual needs. We will continue to minister to them and if they start to accept Christ we will spend more time with them. We show God’s love to everyone with a heart to help people, and our Christian family helps us to stay on the narrow road to life. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
Today be careful who you choose to spend your time with. Minister to everyone, but be yoked only with other believers, your close Christian family. Today stand strong in the Lord, and remember to never give Satan a foothold by being unequally yoked. And do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:27)
Prayer: Lord, help me today to overcome any temptation that can lead me toward an unequally yoked relationship that can pull me away from you and back into the darkness. Give me your strength to overcome this type of temptation. Thank you for your love, for guiding me in the Spirit, and for eternal life that awaits me. In Jesus name, Amen