Verse 14 is often used as a prohibition against a believer marrying an unbeliever. Certainly that is not a bad application. How else would not being unevenly yoked be put into action? What other areas of life does it apply to? We know that Christians are in the world physically (John 17:15), and we must have certain dealings with those in the world. How do we do both?
-
Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Being unevenly yoked (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
- Thread starter Herald
- Start date
Verse 14 is often used as a prohibition against a believer marrying an unbeliever. Certainly that is not a bad application. How else would not being unevenly yoked be put into action? What other areas of life does it apply to? We know that Christians are in the world physically (John 17:15), and we must have certain dealings with those in the world. How do we do both?
The scriptural idea of seperation is unto holiness of life as we live in the Kingdom. God saves us unto good works that are ordained for us as we serve Him in expanding the Kingdom of God worldwide through the word preached.
Kingdom obedience has both an inward focus- holiness of the personal life,
and an outward focus- to those in the local church,and those unsaved persons we meet in the world. We have the gospel and they need it.Instead of isolating ourselves from sinners...we must study so that when we interact with them we are as equipped as possible to be used of God to remove obstacles for them to be drawn to truth by God.
We are in the world ,but not of it.....a ship is to be in the water, but water should not be in the ship.:thumbsup:
This is done if we obey the command to mortify sin on one hand showing God's work in sanctification, and to obey the law...to love our neighbor.:thumbsup:
That is the hardest thing for me to do. The people I cant stand, the ones that are disingenuous, those that will ruin another's life in order to enrich their own.... those I have a very hard time liking & now you say love them! I cant do that, only God can....... it was much easier in the old days when I lived in & loved sin. Then I would enjoy sin (really really enjoyed it)....this Christian walk is tuff. :BangHead:
I think the answer is right there in the verse. Being unequally yoked implies an ongoing relationship, a partnership, a fellowship, with unbelievers in spiritual matters or areas where spiritual issues can occur.
Absolutely! Unless a Christian has his guard up, it's easy to get pulled into such relationships whether it be cause of greed, pride, lust etc.
It has many applications.
I had a friend who had the opportunity to start up a business with another person. They would be partners together. But the other person was not saved. My friend knew that he would make unwise, dishonest decisions. They would be unequally yoked together. He could not conscientiously go into business with an unsaved person.
2. It is applicable to churches. Recently the Pope made an appeal to Muslims and Jews to stand with him to fight against abortion. I too am against abortion. But would I advocate my church joining hands with the pope (the entire RCC), to fight against abortion, or would I find a way to do it without the help of the unsaved? Be not unequally yoked together.
3. There are plenty of ecumenical events for different causes. They involve different unbelieving churches, and sometimes even the cults. Will I join these churches to further their cause even if it may be a good cause? Be not unequally yoked.
I had a friend who had the opportunity to start up a business with another person. They would be partners together. But the other person was not saved. My friend knew that he would make unwise, dishonest decisions. They would be unequally yoked together. He could not conscientiously go into business with an unsaved person.
2. It is applicable to churches. Recently the Pope made an appeal to Muslims and Jews to stand with him to fight against abortion. I too am against abortion. But would I advocate my church joining hands with the pope (the entire RCC), to fight against abortion, or would I find a way to do it without the help of the unsaved? Be not unequally yoked together.
3. There are plenty of ecumenical events for different causes. They involve different unbelieving churches, and sometimes even the cults. Will I join these churches to further their cause even if it may be a good cause? Be not unequally yoked.
Not necessarily to me. It is an individual choice left up to the pastor of the church, or the pastor and his congregation. For example, a KJVO church (that I know of) would not allow me to speak in their church even though that is the only Bible I use. They only fellowship with other KJVO churches. It is up to individual churches where they want to draw their line.
That particular line is based on "How can two walk together unless they be agreed."
It is certainly not based on: "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." I would in no way consider you an unbeliever.
Think that jesus would classify thsi as refering to being in the world, but not OF the world!
can have friends unsaved, do things together, just that when it comes to applying principles and standards, the saved and unsave conme from 2 different worlds!
Tom Butler
New Member
I note that the discussion centers around being yoked with unbelievers. The verse says, however, that we should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
What does that mean?
What is the difference between being yoked with unbelievers, and being unequally yoked?
And, is it possible to interpret that verse as not proscribing being yoked, but prohibiting being unequally yoked, with the emphasis on unequally?
What does that mean?
What is the difference between being yoked with unbelievers, and being unequally yoked?
And, is it possible to interpret that verse as not proscribing being yoked, but prohibiting being unequally yoked, with the emphasis on unequally?
Tom, I think "unequally yoked" encompasses any type of yoke with unbelievers. The yoke that Paul wrote about is the wooden harness that holds a team of oxen together; typically two. The oxen are forced to do the will of the one controlling the reigns. If an unbeliever and a believer are yoked together there will be problems. It is unlikely that the believer will be able to influence the unbeliever because the unbeliever has already compromised by being yoked. Paul says elsewhere:
I think simply put:
To be yoked with an unbeliever is an "unequal yoke" by definition.
convicted1
Guest
You know, "The yoke's on you."
"You ended up with yoke all over your face."
LOLOLOL.....HeehheeehheeeeHEEEEhEEEEE.......loooloooolooolooll:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
No one has yet mentioned the purpose of a yoke (though Herald was on the right track). Two oxen yoked together are working together. The prohibition has to do with a working arrangement of a believer with an unbeliever in which both have an equal say (which in God's sight is then unequal by the very nature of it). This does not mean simply working in the same factory or team, but having joint leadership, as in a business partnership, evangelistic or missions partnership (with an unbelieving liberal) and the like.
"Can two walk together except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3.
"Can two walk together except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3.