Be Not Unequally Yoked???

The topic may seem redundant; I mean honestly I think most can probably pick up the concept of unequal yoking without even stepping inside a church, at least the basic jest of it, but do we really get it? And do we really understand how to follow through on what the words mean even if we do understand them? What does equal yoking look like in real life application? Considering I had an entirely different blog in mind until God brought this topic up, as I mowed my grass, in the gruelling ninety degree heat, I must believe many of us either don’t fully comprehend this or may need a little guidance in living it out. Therefore I am following God’s prompting and discussing oxen…at least in part.

So the blog title comes from 2 Corinthians 6:14 (which is highlighted below). It’s part of a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to encourage the church in Corinth. Commonly referenced throughout the Bible, farming practices were something even city-dwellers would know something of during this time in history, when there were only a few steps from farm to table, unlike in our culture, where many of us are far removed from any knowledge of where our food actually comes from. In this particular passage, Paul is referring to oxen being yoked together, as pictured above. I’ve never had to yoke any oxen, but someone who has, would advise against yoking two oxen willy-nilly. Only oxen of a similar size and strength should be yoked together, otherwise they will work against one another and make the job far more difficult.

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 NKJV

So what does this mean for us today? First of all it does not mean that Christians can not associate with unbelievers, but rather as Christians we are called to be equally yoked in our most intimate relationships, including friendships. These are the people dearest to our heart, who have the greatest influence over our thoughts and life. Being unequally yoked may not only strain the relationship, but can also hold the power to pull us in the wrong direction spiritually, or cause our loyalties to be divided, making us ineffective for kingdom service.

I believe most people get tripped up here because they don’t know how to qualify equal. In their mind, one Christian plus one Christian equals two Christians, like a basic math equation, but are all Christians equal and truly operating on the same level? I think most understand this is not the case. The term Christian is often used in a very vague sense. Some might suggest America is a Christian nation, yet that is a broad generalization at best and not an accurate depiction of what the Bible would classify as a “Christian” or more specifically a follower of Jesus. It’s easy for someone to call themselves a Christian and show up for church upon occasion. It’s another thing entirely to live in submission and obedience to God on a daily basis. So when we start talking about being equally yoked as a Christian, we must take this into account and have some very real, in-depth Jesus conversations long before we start picking out a wedding venue.

It’s not enough to know if this person goes to church or if they are well-studied in Christianese. Anyone can do that and many will do it just to schmooze us, but as is often said, “the proof is in the pudding”. Do they actively pursue a relationship with Jesus, and does their life bear fruit that testifies to God’s abundant grace and goodness at work in their life? It’s important to keep in mind, if we dream of marrying a devout follower of Jesus, we too should be pursuing this in our own life. The Bible doesn’t say we can’t marry someone less spiritually mature, or even more spiritually mature, but both should be invested in the kingdom of Jesus. It’s just another reason we shouldn’t hastily dive into any relationship without first seeking God. If we are patient and listen to his leading, he is always faithful to lead us on the path he has chosen according to his plan.