A recent trip brought with it many surprises for this writer, one she should have been more careful to avoid.
The enemy knows us as intimately as God and knows what buttons to push to bring out the worst in us. That is what happens when Christians are unequally yoked with unbelievers. Since unbelievers choose to go against God and His law, that allows them freedom to commit any evil because they do not believe they will be punished for it later.
One thing readily observed is the self-centeredness, self-serving desires unbelievers have, and the strong desire to be in control. They may not see it or realize how evil the behavior is that is being demonstrated, but a Christian will be up against a wall of difficulty that would never be there were Jesus in the center of the relationship between the two. Instead, there is a battle of good versus evil.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (NKJV) says: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?… Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?…For you are the temple of the living God…My people. Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord…”
Unequal yoking often occurs in marriage. The above passage states that believers in Christ should avoid marrying an unbeliever, although it happens all the time. Our hearts do not always direct us accordingly, nor do we always follow Jesus the way we should. If we did, we might avoid all sorts of problems.
Hanging with unbelievers does not enrich our lives. In fact, 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) says “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”
Therefore, we should take great care to avoid bad company. Since the Holy Spirit is what sets Christians apart from the ungodly, we are warned to stay away from those who would corrupt us.
Matthew 5:13 (NKJV) reads, “You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
What could a believer and an unbeliever possibly have in common anyways?
For more information:
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/13937.htm
http://www.gracecentered.com/unequally_yoked.htm
http://www.crivoice.org/yoked.html
http://www.faithandmarriageministries.org/unequally-yoked/
http://bible-truths.com/yoked.htm