The Truth About Unequal Yokes, Part 1
(2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
"You shouldn't date someone that's not saved" . . . "the Bible says be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" . . . Sound familiar? During my years of being saved, I have heard this statement many times. The scripture is used out of context, but the message is true. Unfortunately, many Christians have found reasons to ignore this exhortation and have dated, or in some cases, even married someone who has not been redeemed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In this Marriage Prep column, I want to discuss the unequal yoke and what God has said regarding it. The scripture in 2 Corinthians 6 isn't really discussing dating or marriage, but there are other scriptures that are. Let's review 2 Corinthians 6 and other selected verses that directly illustrate the mind of God regarding dating and/or marrying what Malachi referred to as the daughter (or son) of a strange God (Malachi 2:11).
Is God concerned with whom we date or marry? Does it really matter if the person is saved or unsaved? Can't God save an unsaved person if we date them? Isn't it better than just going out and becoming a fornicator? These and other questions plague the minds of many single Christians today, and are often followed by actions that are outside the counsel of God. Singles need to be aware of what the scriptures have to say about these and other dating/courting/marriage issues. Let's cover these issues from three standpoints: 1) What' In A Yoke?; 2) The Impact of Fellowship; and 3) God's Commentary on Marrying the Unsaved.
What's In A Yoke? (The Danger of Ill Associations)
According to the Holman's Bible Dictionary, a yoke is a wooden frame placed on the backs of draft animals to make them pull in tandem. In other words, a yoke is a device that joins two animals together and helps them to work together. Imagine, if you will, that you are an ox and are in one part of the yoke. You have full understanding of the task at hand and are committed to performing that task. The other ox is fastened into the yoke. The problem is that the other ox has an agenda that is different than yours. You can't fulfill your responsibility or task because of the stumblingblock that is generated as a result of this conflicting mindset. Hence, Paul states, Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. This is not a suggestion, but a command from the apostle which is followed by supporting statements meant to prove the validity and sensibleness of the command. Not only is this a command, but a warning (when you consider the supporting statements). Do you realize how many Christians have suffered because of violating this exhortation by Paul - in business, education, marriage, employment, etc. In 1 Corinthians 2:16, Paul also states that we have the mind of Christ. Because of the internal working of the Holy Ghost and the drive in our hearts to please God in all things, we can't and mustn't make league (or join affinity) with those that do not embrace the things of God. The scriptures are replete with warnings in this area. Most individuals who have chosen to do so in the area of relationships have been burned badly. Yes, there have been exceptions, but the deceit of the enemy is to get us to embrace an exception as a rule. Once he can trick us into that position we are in GRAVE danger. Some Christians have died because of this ignorance. DON'T BE ONE OF THEM!!!
Be wise and slip into the yoke with someone who loves God. Make sure you love Him properly too. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha (1 Corinthians 16:22). I don't care how much money they have, how good they look or how much you believe God is going to save them. Never, ever, ever violate or compromise the standard of God in your life. For everything a price is paid and you do not have enough resources to cover the price of this problem. Yes, God is able to deliver you if you go there, but why go? Many people reading this (including me) have been in this position and have suffered greatly. I encourage you again - don't put yourself in harm's way, embracing the bywords God will deliver me. This is called tempting God. God is likely to allow you to suffer in the situation so that His testimony and statutes regarding the subject will sink deeply into your heart. The worst case scenario that any one of us should hope for is that the Lord will do to/for you the same thing He did for Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:35-37: And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish. "Joined himself" means to fascinate or have fellowship with. Ask the Lord to "wreck your ship" if you're engaged in practices and associations (leagues) with people or agendas that do not glorify Him as He intended. [NOTE: Remember the boyfriend or girlfriend that you broke up with whom you felt you just couldn't do without . . . . . selah . . . . . get the point? Don't cry about your old situation(s), but rejoice for your deliverance. God wrecks and has wrecked many ships of many types with various destinations. Praise Him for His mighty works.] This brings us to the issue of fellowship.
Part 2 -- The Impact of Fellowship
The Truth About Unequal Yokes --
by Darren W. Hood
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