Unequally Yoked

QUESTION: Is the passage in Scripture that tells us not to be unequally yoked dealing with marriage, business or both? Thanks, J.O.

ANSWER: This direction given by Paul is wisdom for the ages. God is not trying to put a damper on whom we may or may not marry—or with whom we may or may not go into business!

Paul used a metaphor in 2 Corinthians 6:14 regarding harnessing oxen to pull a plow: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” Oxen were matched as closely as possible in order for them to pull together most powerfully. Large and little oxen don’t match up. Young and old don’t match up very well either—nor do healthy and sick ones.

Proper plowing required two-yoked oxen pulling together with the same gait and corresponding strength—so does building your house. You want your contractor to have only one set of plans. Imagine he or she trying to build your house with plans that don’t match up—disaster.

God has a Biblical-blue print laid out in the Bible for a successful marriage. Imagine that you and your spouse are working off of two different marriage blueprints—chaos! The principles of Biblical economics clearly lay out God’s plans for building a successful business. As a Christian you want to build you business on sound Biblical guidelines. Can you imagine trying to be in business partnership with a Non-Christian who is working with an entirely different set of business blueprints!

So, yes, Paul’s command refers to marriage and business and to any other situation which calls for Christians to “link up” permanently with a person or persons who have yet to surrender their lives to Christ.

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Comments

I had 35 years in a partnership with a non believer and 5 alone. My comment "AMEN"

Ralph Tacker , 06/16/08 06:56 PM

I would to make a comment to assist those people that are in unequally yoked situations and not feeling too good about it. These situation can turn out for the good.

When I met my now ex-wife (stay with me), she was Catholic, and not saved. After we were married, we attended a Baptist church, because of my Christian back ground. Our unequally yoked situation, brought an unsaved person to be saved. I do not feel that earlier unequal yoking had anything to do with the divorce, since we were equally yoked at the time of the divorce. Even though the pain of divorce hurt very bad, if the purpose of that marriage was to have another soul accept Christ, it was worth it. I did not agree to go along with the divorce, but had no choice due to the law.

I think it is important for Christians to befriend non-Christians; to associate with unequally yoked people. If we are truly living our best godly life, and the Holy Spirit can work through us, these unequally yoked associates may come to know Christ. Remember: Take what you want and leave the rest. You control you. ;-)

Aaron Alvarez , 08/30/08 12:46 AM

WOW! I am amazed that not one pastor has responded to this comment. To say that God would allow an unequally yoked marriage for the purpose of salvation is about the largest misconception of God I have heard in a long time. First, God does say not be unequally yoked and He does not change His mind for certain situations. Second, He HATES divorce, read Malachi. God does not condone divorce between two christians(as you said your wife became a christian). This is heartbreaking to think that God's only way of bringing someone to salvation is to Go against His own standards. As far as "you control you" Not if you are being guided by the Holy Spirit. We are no longer in control. That is the whole point of Surrending to Jesus Christ.

Teresa Varney , 10/30/08 12:39 PM

Teresa: "you control you" is the same as free will.

Aaron Alvarez , 11/21/08 02:38 AM

Please read Prov. 21:30, 21:1, 16:9, 20:24, Lk 1:37, Prov 16:1. God is Soveriegn even over our will and HIS plan will prevail. We do not choose God in our own will, we cannot. We are not disposed to choose anyone over ourselves. God does not go against His own word to bring about someone's salvation.

Teresa Varney , 11/26/08 09:09 PM