The Dangers Of Being Unequally Yoked In Marriage Series

The Bible warns believers against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers in marriage. This warning is found in 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"

Being unequally yoked in marriage can lead to spiritual danger, conflict, and stagnation in one's faith. When a believer marries an unbeliever, they may be pulled away from their faith and values. The unbelieving spouse may not support or understand the believer's spiritual needs, leading to feelings of isolation and disconnection from God.

Hope for Unequally Yoked Marriages

While being unequally yoked in marriage can be challenging, there is hope for believers who find themselves in this situation. 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 assures us that the unbelieving spouse is "sanctified" through the believing spouse. This means that the believing spouse's faith can have a positive influence on the unbelieving spouse, and can even lead to their salvation.

The Bible gives us examples of unequally yoked marriages, such as Moses and his Midianite wife (Exodus 2:16-22, 18:1-6). Despite being from different cultures and faith backgrounds, Moses' wife and her family were influenced by his faith and even assisted him in his spiritual journey.

Benefits for the Unequally Yoked Partner

While being in an unequally yoked marriage can be difficult, there are benefits for the unbelieving spouse. Through their relationship with the believing spouse, they may be exposed to the Gospel and have opportunities to hear about God's love and salvation.

The Bible teaches that the believing spouse can be a powerful witness to the unbelieving spouse, and can even lead them to faith in Christ. 1 Peter 3:1-2 says, "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives."

Examples of Equally Yoked Marriages

The Bible also gives us examples of equally yoked marriages, where both spouses share the same faith and values. One example is the marriage of Priscilla and Aquila, who were both believers and worked together as tentmakers and ministers of the Gospel (Acts 18:1-3, 26).

Another example is the marriage of Ananias and Sapphira, who were both believers and sold their property to give to the early Christian church (Acts 5:1-11). While their story ends in tragedy due to their deceit, it highlights the importance of shared faith and values in a marriage.

Conclusion

Being unequally yoked in marriage can be challenging, but it is not without hope. Believers who find themselves in this situation can trust that God is able to work in their marriage and use them as a witness to their unbelieving spouse. Through prayer, faith, and obedience, believers can experience the benefits of being in a marriage where both spouses share the same faith and values.