UNHOLY ALLIANCES – The risk of joining hands with unbelievers in ungodly ventures
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Chronicles 18:1-4; Judges 2:1-3
Supporting Texts: Proverbs 13:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Psalm 1:1-3; Amos 3:3; Joshua 23:11-13; 1 Kings 11:1-11
INTRODUCTION
There are moments in life when the decisions we make about people determine the journey we take and the destiny we eventually fulfil. Not every hand that reaches for us is meant to be held. Not every invitation is meant to be accepted. Not every partner is meant to be embraced. Scripture is filled with stories of people who began well, but their relationships ruined them. They were not destroyed by famine, sickness, or enemies but by alliances.
The Bible uses different words for alliances: “yoking”, “joining”, “making leagues”, “mixing seed”, “joining affinity”. In every case, the message is clear: God cares about who you join yourself with.
The story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 18 and the warning of the Angel of the Lord in Judges 2 highlight one truth:
Unholy alliances do not look dangerous at first, but they always end in loss, regret, and spiritual decline.
This sermon explores how believers unintentionally walk into ungodly alliances, why God warns against them, and how we can walk in wisdom to avoid disaster.
1. WHEN GOOD PEOPLE MAKE BAD FRIENDSHIPS
(2 Chronicles 18:1-3)
King Jehoshaphat was a righteous king, a reformer, a man whose heart sought after God. He removed idols, restored worship, and brought Judah back to the Lord. But even good men can make dangerous choices.
Jehoshaphat “joined affinity with Ahab”—one of the most wicked kings in Israel’s history. This alliance began softly: first through marriage, then through a state visit, and finally through military partnership.
Jehoshaphat did not fall in a day. His downfall began with affinity: a soft spot, a small admiration, a link he did not break early enough.
That is how unholy alliances begin:
You admire what you should flee from.
You excuse what you should confront.
You tolerate what you should reject.
You call “wisdom” what God calls “danger.”
Jehoshaphat travelled to Samaria. Ahab welcomed him with feasting. A great meal can soften a great danger.
Ahab said, “Come with me to Ramoth-Gilead.”
Jehoshaphat answered, “I am as thou art.”
A dangerous sentence.
A covenant of similarity between light and darkness.
2. THE SLOW POISON OF COMPROMISE
(Judges 2:1–3)
In Judges 2, the Angel of the Lord reminded Israel of the covenant God made with them. God warned them never to make alliances with the idol-worshipping nations around them. But Israel reasoned, “These are harmless relationships… nothing more.”
God responded:
“You have not obeyed My voice… therefore they shall be thorns in your sides.”
Unholy alliances begin with small agreements:
A little partnership
A little assistance
A little tolerance
A little silence
A little compromise
But every tolerance becomes a bondage. Every compromise becomes a trap. Every ungodly agreement becomes a thorn.
Some people became spiritually weak not because of witches, enemies, or curses, but because of connections that God warned them against.
3. WHY GOD WARNS US AGAINST UNHOLY ALLIANCES
The warnings of Scripture are consistent. God does not hate relationships; He designed them. But He warns because:
1. Wrong alliances corrupt spiritual purity (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Ahab worshipped Baal. Jehoshaphat worshipped Jehovah.
Two altars cannot be joined.
2. Wrong alliances influence decisions (Proverbs 13:20)
Jehoshaphat entered battles God never sent him to fight.
3. Wrong alliances open spiritual doors (Joshua 23:11–13)
God warned that ungodly associations become snares, traps, and whips.
4. Wrong alliances weaken convictions
Israel began to marry, trade, and worship like the nations around them.
5. Wrong alliances bring unnecessary battles
Jehoshaphat nearly died in a battle designed for Ahab.
4. THE MASK OF FRIENDSHIP: HOW UNHOLY ALLIANCES PRESENT THEMSELVES
Ungodly alliances rarely appear evil. They often come as:
A business proposal
A friendly invitation
A harmless collaboration
A family relationship
A strategic opportunity
A marriage connection
A political partnership
A financial rescue
Ahab did not present his wickedness; he presented a feast.
The devil does not tempt with bitterness; he tempts with sweetness.
Some doors are wide, beautiful, and decorated, but behind them are traps.
5. WHEN GODLY PEOPLE IGNORE GODLY WARNINGS
Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet. Micaiah prophesied defeat. Yet Jehoshaphat still went to battle.
Many believers do the same:
They feel uneasy, but they continue.
They see red flags, but they overlook them.
They hear counsel, but they dismiss it.
They sense danger, but they push ahead.
They know the partnership is spiritually unhealthy, but they remain.
Because the alliance gives benefits…
Ahab offered Jehoshaphat horses, soldiers, land, honour, influence.
People remain in dangerous connections because they receive:
Money
Opportunity
Emotional support
Position
Approval
Benefits
But every benefit obtained through compromise carries a hidden cost.
6. THE DISASTER OF UNHOLY ALLIANCES
(2 Chronicles 18:28–34)
On the battlefield, Ahab disguised himself, but urged Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes.
Ungodly partners protect themselves and expose you.
Jehoshaphat was almost killed. Soldiers surrounded him shouting, “This is the king of Israel!”
Jehoshaphat cried to God, and God rescued him; Mercy saved him, not wisdom.
Meanwhile Ahab died by a random arrow; a prophecy fulfilled.
Jehoshaphat returned home ashamed. A prophet rebuked him:
“Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?” (2 Chronicles 19:2)
This is the true tragedy of unholy alliances:
They bring embarrassment
They bring regret
They cause spiritual damage
They expose you to battles
They waste your time
They bring consequences that outlive the moment
Jehoshaphat paid for that alliance long after Ahab was dead.
7. MODERN FORMS OF UNHOLY ALLIANCES
Today’s believer faces new forms of partnership:
1. Business alliances
Joining hands with people who cheat, manipulate, or use evil methods to gain profit.
2. Emotional alliances
Friendships that lead gradually into sin, immorality, or spiritual distraction.
3. Marriage alliances
Believers marrying unbelievers because of:
Pressure
Loneliness
Wealth
Beauty
Family expectations
4. Social alliances
Influential people who lead you out of God’s principles just to belong.
5. Ministry alliances
Pastors connecting with ungodly spiritual influences for “power” or “visibility”.
6. Financial alliances
Accepting money from sources that compromise your integrity.
7. Covenant alliances
Vows, agreements, pacts, or rituals that open doors to bondage.
CHAPTER 8 – SIGNS THAT AN ALLIANCE IS UNHOLY
You lose your peace whenever you are with them.
Your spiritual fire goes down.
You hide them from spiritual mentors.
They encourage compromise.
You justify their behaviour to others.
You ignore the Holy Spirit’s warnings.
Your prayer life becomes weak.
You are not growing; only surviving.
You feel spiritually drained after interacting with them.
Your values begin to shift—slowly but surely.
9. THE COST OF UNHOLY ALLIANCES
Ungodly alliances cost much more than they give.
Samson lost power because of Delilah.
Solomon lost wisdom because of strange women.
Israel lost battles because of alliances with idol nations.
Judas lost his soul because of greedy alliances.
Demas lost his calling because he loved the world.
Whenever you join hands with the wrong people, you pay with the right things.
10. GOD’S CALL TO SEPARATION
(2 Corinthians 6:14–18)
God is not asking believers to hate unbelievers. He is calling us to refuse ungodly partnerships.
“Be ye not unequally yoked…”
A yoke ties two lives together.
Whoever you are yoked to determines your:
Direction
Speed
Strength
Decisions
Consequences
God says, “Come out from among them.”
Not with pride.
Not with bitterness.
Not with self-righteousness.
But with obedience.
Separation is not rejection; it is protection.
11. HOW TO BREAK UNHOLY ALLIANCES
1. Acknowledge the truth
Admit the relationship or partnership is unhealthy.
2. Repent before God
Break the covenant spiritually with prayer.
3. Withdraw honourably
End the relationship without creating unnecessary conflict.
4. Establish new boundaries
Cut access points that lead you back.
5. Surround yourself with godly influences
6. Seek accountability
Trusted spiritual leaders help maintain your freedom.
7. Fill the vacuum
Replace ungodly alliances with godly ones.
12. GOD RESTORES THOSE WHO RETURN
Jehoshaphat fell, but he was not abandoned.
God rescued him on the battlefield.
God rebuked him out of love.
God restored him to proper priorities.
He returned to his kingdom and led a national revival.
Mistakes do not define the believer; repentance does.
Unholy alliances can be broken, and destinies can be restored.
13. A CALL TO WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT
The greatest gift in relationships is not charm, beauty, wealth, or opportunity—it is discernment.
Discernment prevents heartbreaks. Discernment preserves destinies. Discernment exposes hidden traps. Discernment reveals true motives. Discernment keeps you aligned with God’s purpose.
Ask God daily:
“Lord, show me the heart behind the face.”
“Show me the intention behind the invitation.”
“Show me the danger behind the benefit.”
14. WALKING WITH GOD ALONE IS SAFER THAN WALKING WITH THE WRONG CROWD
Every person must choose:
Approval or obedience
Popularity or purity
Partnership or purpose
Comfort or conviction
People’s favour or God’s favour
Abraham walked alone, but became a nation.
Joseph stood alone, but became a ruler.
Daniel separated himself, but influenced the empire.
Paul stood alone, but changed the world.
God often separates you before He elevates you.
CONCLUSION:
Unholy alliances end in pain.
Holy alliances lead to destiny.
Jehoshaphat’s story teaches us:
Good men can make dangerous friendships
Discernment is better than excitement
A feast does not equal favour
Wrong relationships open wrong battles
God rescues, restores, and redirects
Let this truth echo in your heart:
It is better to walk alone in the will of God than to walk with a multitude outside it.
May God give you the courage to disconnect from every unholy alliance and the grace to walk with wisdom into the relationships He has ordained for your destiny.
