You don't have to be a farmer to imagine the potential problems with harnessing to different animals together. When the Apostle Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians he addressed being unevenly yoked with non-believers.
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God." - 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
At first blush, you might think that Paul is saying, as a Christian, don't be around lost people. Far from it. What he is saying is don't embrace their habits, practices and beliefs. You say you don't? Well you probably do. Those who are lost represent what we once were. And like putting on an old pair of shoes, embracing what we were saved from is an easy fit. That is why Paul and God through Paul, encourages us to resist.
That is easy to say and would be easy to do if emotions were not tied to it. We are talking about friends, family, maybe culture and ethnicity. Shared history - but natural history. We have a hard time believing that if we toss out the bath water (the things that we must abandon), we won't also be tossing out the "baby" (people we care about) as well. How do you separate what people do and believe from the people doing and believing? Well, it is possible but not humanly possible. It requires the power of God which requires primary devotion to God. I am certain you remember Jesus saying that of all of the things we do, what was the most important thing is that we must do first.
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment." - Matthew 22:36-38
Jesus also said that the love you have for others will look like hate when compared to the love you have for God the Father. In other words - nothing else, no devotion or earthly relationship should come before God.
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:26
But what if compliance and participation with the world are a requirement to maintain those relationships? Then you may have to let the relationship go. If you don't like the thought of that, then you are struggling with your devotion to God. And if you don't like the thought of that then you are struggling with your understanding and acceptance of the Word of God. In my experience the "unsaved" people in my life keep me at a distance and "tolerate" my faith. I wish this was a simple matter, but it is not.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." - 1 John 2:15-16
Put bluntly, placing anyone or anything ahead of God is sin. There are none of us who have not struggled with that - maybe are struggling with it today. And if not today then you most likely will tomorrow. Are there some habits or relationships that are proving to be toxic to your spiritual walk and testimony?
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in the Light. Then let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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