Unequally Yoked

This is series of articles designed to help professing Christians to turn from their wicked ways and get back to following New Testament ethics.  Compromise is increasing in the church.  Popular opinion among churchgoers is often in stark contrast to the very words of Jesus on many issues.  Christians need to know the word of God and get back to using it as a reference book when they are faced with important decisions. 

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

II Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)

The above passage is often quoted as proof that Christian should not marry a non-Christian.  And yes, that is an appropriate application of this passage and I will discuss this further later in this post.  But there are a lot of other ways that a Christian can be unequally yoked to a non-Christian besides just marrying one.

I know a Christian who had a non-Christian business partner.  The non-Christian partner was dishonest.  He cheated on paying taxes for the business by claiming purchased items for tax exemption that were not really being used for the business, but were really personal items.  It started out with just small items, but then it gradually built up to more and more expensive things.  Then the unbeliever stole from his partner and blamed him for tax cheating when he got caught.  The result was a messy lawsuit.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

II John 1:10-11 (KJV)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

II Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)

I now return to subject of the sinfulness of a believer marrying an unbeliever.  It must be clarified that if you are already married to a non-Christian, you should remain in the marriage as long as the unbelieving spouse would have you remain.  (See I Corinthians 7:13-14.) 

But for a believer to marry an unbeliever is unthinkable.  If you do it, you will be putting yourself into a situation of temptation to be drawn into the sins that your spouse may commit and you may be tempted to abandon your faith altogether.  If you are looking for a church, do not join a church where they perform marriage ceremonies for such mixed couples.