Unequally Yoked

Although sex outside marriage seems to be the topic making most of the headlines within the context of today’s relationship settings, I have found that the act of it is not necessarily the root of the problem. It is only a resultant effect of an underlying factor.

A verse of scripture found in 2 Corinthians 6:14 says; “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…” Now, the unbelieving here does not necessarily mean someone from a different religious background. In fact, I think it speaks more to people of a common religious belief, but that are only a shadow of what they ought to be.

Unequal yoking in belief systems, character, mindset, discipline, ideology, and a lot more other vital issues of life and spirituality is something most people aren’t very concerned about in their relationships today. They aren’t as concerned about purpose and destiny as they are contented with meeting emotional desires. They have not the slightest idea that there is a higher stake in their union than just what makes them tickle.

A lady is at home with the guy’s ability to throw in a few “religious” words here and there in their conversations sometimes. He occasionally remembers to pray and maybe even make Sunday meetings in church whenever he can. He is largely complacent about God. But for her, that is the standard. He doesn’t have to carry fire. And maybe he has a few ill habits here and there, but that’s ok. Who doesn’t? The most important thing is that he loves her. Or so she thinks.

The guy on the other hand is happy that she has a Christian name and a few Christian friends. Heck, she was even brought up in a Christian home. She knows how to talk smoothly and maintain a cheerful demeanor. But she also knows how to turn up some times. She’s not always the life of the party, but she sure does know how to add some spice. She’s lively he says. She’s not a hypocrite. Maybe she doesn’t know so much Bible, but who does? She’s not a pastor.

You see that right there is what I call unequal yoking. A relationship centered on meeting some flimsy emotional desires is nothing but a recipe for disaster. A couple like that will never be able to keep their hands off each other’s bodies.

Because there is no root or foundation to it beyond self, it defies every desire in the heart of the originator of relationships when he first established it. God wasn’t just thinking emotions when he thought it not good for man to be alone. There was a purpose tied to it. The purpose? Replenishing and subduing the earth.

If your coming together does not foster the achievement of God’s highest desire for the earth, you are unequally yoked. If your union does not provide a godly pattern for other unions, turning them to the light of Jesus Christ and his salvation power, you are unequally yoked. If your coming together does not eventually bring about children trained, and established on the principles of God and his kingdom for the sake of impacting their own generation, you are unequally yoked.

But one does not become unequally yoked only when they enter into a relationship. It is first personal before it is relational. Who or what you are yoked up with in your privacy determines who and what you yoke up with in relationship and eventually marriage. Man is helplessly an executor of his highest motivations and beliefs.

Shalom!

Biyama Joseph

#TheInfluencer