They are unable to complete the God-given task that a romantic partnership is meant to perform. One person will end up carrying more of the load and grow resentful, exhausted, and frustrated. The other may also grow resentful and frustrated because he or she feels useless or overwhelmed in the relationship. The very thing that binds them together is now causing frustration and bitterness. This is often felt most acutely in romantic relationships, where the two people are the closest any two humans can be.
In 2 Corinthians 6:14, the bible talks about a lot of things that apply to us today. The bible is a living and powerful document that will always be relevant. The NIV translation states: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” When one reads this scripture, one can easily see the myriad applications that this passage can be helpful in. This article will discuss some areas of relevance to us as Christians today. We are relational beings, and that is our God-given design. This desire to form relationships and connections is something that God has also provided guidelines for us to live by.
Firstly, when it comes to romantic relationships, many of us have values, hopes, and desires that we want in a partner. In fact, if you ask many Christians what the above scripture means in light of this concept, many will tell you that God does not want us in relationships with unbelievers. This is absolutely true, but it does not end there. The concept of being unequally yoked reminds me of a picture of two yoked oxen. These animals co-joined to work in a field and produce a good result. This union will only be fruitful if both animals are of equal strength and size. It would be extremely difficult to carry out the task set before them if they are not. Unequally yoked oxen may end up walking around in circles. Therefore, when two romantic partners are unequally yoked when it comes to human relationships, it means that the two individuals are not matched in size or strength spiritually.
Individuals in this scenario will be going around in circles, frustrated with each other because their lives together will be purposeless. They are unable to complete the God-given task that a romantic partnership is meant to perform. One person will end up carrying more of the load and grow resentful, exhausted, and frustrated. The other may also grow resentful and frustrated because he or she feels useless or overwhelmed in the relationship. The very thing that binds them together is now causing frustration and bitterness. This is often felt most acutely in romantic relationships, where the two people are the closest any two humans can be.
Biblically, it can look like the two individuals are at very different stages of their spiritual lives, where one of the individuals is so far ahead of the other in the race of life, that they cannot walk side-by-side. This means that obviously, a Christian and non-christian can be unequally yoked. They are mismatched spiritually and cannot lead a fruitful life for God. Furthermore, two Christians can also be unequally yoked.
Romantic relationships are not the only human relationships in life. When it comes to working relationships or partnerships, for example, this principle is also applicable. God commands against becoming unequally yoked. Does this mean that we should not work with non-believers, or that we should only work with those with the same spiritual maturity level that we have? Of course not.
I believe that in this scenario, God is cautioning us against forming close work partnerships with unbelievers. When two oxen are yoked, they are attached, joined together, and inseparable. This is a very close relationship. The same applies in this case. Paul is warning against forming alliances that bind us in one form or another to unbelievers in working relationships. One reason for this is that because Christians have a Christ-centered worldview that unbelievers do not share. In close business partnerships, there may be scenarios where a joint decision will be required. If this scenario, although legal (in the eyes of the government), is against God’s word, there will be a conflict of interest for the believer.
On one hand, they will want to maintain a good relationship with their business partner, and on the other hand, they will want to do what is right in God’s sight. So, by societal standards, the unbeliever views these as acceptable, whereas, according to God’s standards, they are sinful.
Finally, when it comes to close friendships, the above passage is very applicable.
An old proverb goes as follows “show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.” This is pretty straightforward. Some have also said that we are the sum of the people with whom we surround ourselves. Those we allow to speak into our lives and who have a strong influence on our lives can enhance our walk with God or detract from it. The bible does not say that we should not be friends with non-believers. In fact, it is quite the opposite, as we see in 1 Corinthians 9.
Here, Paul becomes all things to all people, to win them to Christ. This is the key! Our friendships must bring glory to God.
The bible has examples of good partnerships and friendships and negative relationships and their respective effects on all involved lives. For example, Solomon was led away from God by his heathen wives, David and Jonathan showed us an example of a great friendship and the positive effects that resulted. We see an example of a working partnership that went awry when King Ahab and King Jehosaphat fought together, despite a word of warning from the Lord.
In conclusion, God has called us to live fruitful lives filled with purpose, and being unequally yoked is a sure way to avoid fulfilling this purpose.
