Equally Or Unequally Yoked?

I have talked to people about being unequally yoked with an unbeliever. But what exactly does unequally yoked together mean? There are a number of meanings for yoke or yoked, but for the purpose of this post, we are talking about a union of a believer with an unbeliever. The dictionary says of yoked; to become joined or linked together.

There are many warnings about this type of union in God's Word. In the Old Testament, God warned His people not to intermarry with the other nations, because the other nations would turn the Israelites away from God to serve their gods which aren't really gods at all.
In Deuteronomy;7:3-4(Futhermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you.)

Paul when speaking to the Corinthians warned against a believer being bound to an unbeliever.
2Corinthians;6:14(Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?) What Paul is talking about is that a Christian is not to join in a union such as an enterprise or business with an unbeliever. This would cause problems along the way. It would be next to impossible to do business in a manner that would bring glory to God.
1Corinthians;15:33(Do not be deceived: "bad company corrupts good morals.") Bad or evil friends have a corrupting influence on the Christian. We are not told to go into isolation and stay away from the nonbeliever. How would we be able to witness to them? Also we need to show an example of Godly living to them.

If you marry an unbeliever, you are just asking for problems in your marriage. You might ask, "how would this be a problem." If you don't believe the same or maybe your mate doesn't believe in God at all, then how will you raise your children? What if your mate doesn't want to go to church or want the children to learn about God. What are you going to be able to do? It will cause problems in your marriage. Your mate might like to watch things on the TV that aren't suitable to children. Is he or she not going to watch it because you don't want too.? As you can see the list could go on and on forever.

God made us and He knows what is best for us. He see the future and knows exactly what problems will arise. This isn't a matter of if they will arise, it is when? Marriage is to be a union of man and woman with God as the center, so that you build your life arround Him. You teach your children about God, and then live your life as an example of a christian marriage. Not only to your children, but to the world.
When you claim to be a born again Christian, the world will watch you live your life. Satan will do everything he can to ruin your testimony. So we must live above reproach. That would be very hard for you to do if you are married to an unbeliever. If you are in a marriage with another Christian, Great! If you are in a marriage with an unbeliever, pray for their salvation.

One believer in a marriage will bring grace on the marriage that the spouse will benifit from. This will also benifit the children. Hopefully this would lead to them being saved. Once again, if you are a believer and single, find another believer to marry so you won't have an unbelieving spouse. Ask God to send you a believer for a mate in life.

God Bless You!