UNEQUAL YOKES

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)

These words are not a mere suggestion, or the description of a sort of super-status to be attained. They are solemn words that have to do with our association with the Lord Jesus Christ. Here, living rises above the plane of theory, and is brought into accord with ultimate reality.

Just what is an unequal yoke? This phraseology goes back to the Levitical Law, in which an unequal yoke was specified. "You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together" (Lev 22:10). Here were two animals with differing temperaments. They had no affection for each other, and could neither work nor live together comfortably. The ancient people were not to attempt their work by hooking up beasts of contradicting nature. All of this, of course, was designed to teach men a principle–not merely direct agricultural processes.

The "yoke" is what bound the two animals together for the accomplishment of a singe task. It was "unequal" when the beasts within the double yoke were of differing natures, and could not work in perfect harmony.

The Spirit takes this figure and transfers it to the life of faith. Believers are NOT to be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers." They are not to voluntarily join themselves in an alliance with the very enemies of God for the accomplishment of an objective. Many business ventures would be forthwith abandoned, and social preferences changed if this were believed by professing Christians. Many relations fostered by professing believers are much like hooking an ox and donkey together. They simply are not good.

Many a marriage would never have taken place if this Divine mandate were taken seriously. Within the professed church there is far too much leniency and toleration in this regard. Young people often develop close relationships with unbelievers that develop into a marriage--an unequal yoke with an unbeliever. Concerning marriage, the Scriptures speak specifically to widows. "But if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, ONLY IN THE LORD" (1 Cor 7:39). I know of nothing in Scripture that suggests a believer, single or widowed, can approach marriage in any other way.

The spirit reasons with us on this matter. Righteousness and unrighteousness, for example, cannot be united. You cannot put light and darkness together. Christ and the devil cannot work together. And, believers and unbelievers cannot be in "accord." You cannot make a single structure to worship God, and idols also (2 Cor 6:15-16). It is not that these things should not be done. They CANNOT be done.

Many failed projects and miserable lives are traced directly to an attempt to link the ox and the donkey, forging an "unequal yoke." Whatever your association with the ungodly, it is NOT to leave you "yoked" to them. You have taken Christ's "yoke" upon you, and there is no room to be joined to anyone else who is NOT in that yoke (Matt 11:29). Determine now to fervently shun unequal yokes.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I ask for grace to avoid every unequal yoke, and to please You in all of my associations and friendships.

-- Monday: THE GOSPEL--ACCOMPANIED BY THE SPIRIT --