The Problem With An Uneven Yoke

O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. 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. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people. Therefore Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Cor 6:11-18

When I think of an uneven yoke the picture comes to mind of an ox and a donkey yoked together to a plow. I am not a farmer, nor are you if I were to guess. But ... I think both of us could come to the same conclusion - that partnership between the ox and the donkey was not going to work. Have you ever been in a three legged race. Where two runners have their opposite legs tied together and then they must run a race against another team. It works if both runners are about the same height and are somewhat coordinated. Otherwise the race will not go well for them. It's the same idea as the ox and the donkey.  

Well, Paul was writing to the church in Corinth about spiritual yoking. Where one person is a Christian and the other person is not. "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?" Jesus was called a friend of sinners and confronted by the Jewish faith leaders about it - 

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. - Matthew 9:10-13

So what is the difference between being yoked and associating with unbelievers? Well, on the one hand - the Christians in Corinth were embracing the practices and preferences of those who were lost. On the other - Jesus was introducing the lost to the grace and mercy of God without embracing their practices and preferences. The difference was the motive for the association. Recognizing the sins of others but not participating in that sin. In the first letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote - 

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” - 1 Corinthians 15:33

Have you ever heard the justification of some action "All my friends are doing it." To which the parent replied - "If your friends jumped off of the bridge would you jump to?" That was a rhetorical question of course - but it probably didn't change the child's desire to be accepted by their peers. Which meant to do what they do and think what they think. By the way, that pressure does not get better with age. King Solomon wrote - 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. - Proverbs 4:23-27

Listen - the temptation to yield to others who you can see rather than the Spirit of God who you cannot see can be very strong.  I will leave you with two more verses that you can "chew or meditate on".

Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. - James 1:14-15

It is far too easy to yield to the idea that something is OK when it is not as you work out your salvation in a world headed for hell. That is the temptation of the devil - "Did God really say?" 

to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.- James 4:17

How will you know? The Spirit will tell you unless you have hardened your heart to His voice.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. - Isaiah 30:21

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone