Being Unequally Yoked...With a Believer

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14. The Word is quite clear about believers not being in close relationship with unbelievers. It makes no sense. There is no commonality. The righteous one is much more likely to be influenced by the unrighteous. There can be no foundational agreement amongst the two. The interests are divergent. The internal make-up of the two is contrary. The Word is very clear.

But what about the believer’s closeness (non-sexual intimacy) with another believer…one who is living in a manner that is significantly less than God’s best for them? I think a very similar principle applies. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul’s words encourage us “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” While this is commonly understood as referring to those who are non-believers, we can still take away the lesson: the children of God are not to keep intimate company with those who have turned their back on the righteousness of God: those who have chosen their own path over His—regardless of whether they profess to be followers of Christ or not.

This does not mean that we do not have any association with either non-believers or believers who are struggling (or comfortable) in their sin. This does not mean that we do not continue to love others and share the good news of Christ with anyone and everyone who will listen. We can still develop relationship with the non-believer. We can still develop relationship with the believer who has gone off into “left-field”. But this does mean that those we confide in, seek wise counsel from, draw strength from, engage spiritual conversation with, pray with—those with whom we are in intimate and transparent relationship, should be those who, like us, are trying their best to live a life that will honor God. (see Romans 12:1 & Philippians 3:14)

Please do not read the Corinthian passage as giving blanket permission for you to remove from your life anyone who isn’t “acting right”, so to speak. But you do have permission, even a command, to seek the communion found among the community of believers. To assemble together, to lean on one another, to walk together in faith. This will strengthen all other relational engagements you have. (Hebrews 10:24&25)

My encouragement to you is to “yoke-up” with some of those strong believers within your communities – at work, at church, at school, within your family – and be strengthened. This is God’s desire for us.