Bible Studies

INTRODUCTION

This study explores the Bible's teaching about a Christian's relationship with unbelievers, particularly in relation to marriage. The title is taken from 2 Corinthians 6.14: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers". Please take time to read the whole section, beginning at v.14 right through to ch.7.1. The thrust of the passage is that a Christian's lifestyle should be as different from an unbeliever's as light is from darkness. In a variety of areas, close association with an unbeliever is forbidden. The reference to the yoke illustrates the point, and is taken from the Old Testament: "Thou shalt not plow (plough) with an ox and an ass together" (Deut 22.10). The ox was a clean animal and the ass unclean, but apart from that, because of differences in height and pace, to yoke them together would be cruelty to both. The verses teach that the believer should be "separate" from the unbeliever: what we call the doctrine of separation. It does not mean that we live in isolation from unsaved people, or are unfriendly, or are unhelpful at work or in the neighbourhood, but it does mean that our leisure time companions will be our fellows-believers (Ps 119.63). It rules out a business partnership with an unbeliever, or membership of a "church" with a mixed membership of saved and unsaved people. It forbids being united with them in marriage. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate" (v.17).

MARRIAGE

Marriage was instituted by God at the start of human history, and His intention was that it should be a one man/one woman relationship (Gen 2.24). The high incidence of divorce and remarriage in the western world is an evidence of how far society has moved from God's original intention. For a believer, living together in a "trial marriage" is not an option, for it is just old-fashioned fornication, which invites the judgment of God (Heb 13.4). Divorce and remarriage is not sanctioned in the New Testament (Mt 19.6), so you can see the importance of making the right decision about a marriage partner. It is a life-time commitment.

CHOOSING A MARRIAGE PARTNER

In societies where arranged marriages are unknown, how can a believer know whom God has decreed for them? No doubt there will be physical attraction, one of four things which were great mysteries to Agur (Prov 30.18-19), but physical attraction in itself is not the whole story. Saul's daughter Michal "loved" David (1 Sam 18.20), but it turned out to be a passing infatuation, and eventually the relationship turned sour. As in every other area of life, God's guidance has to be sought by means of prayer. However, if the potential marriage partner is an unbeliever, God's will is already known: "Be ye not unequally yoked together".

SINGLENESS

For the majority of people, marriage is the norm, but, for some, to be single is the will of God for them: it is a God-given gift (Mt 19.10-11; 1 Cor 7.7-9). Most young people entertain dreams of marriage and a family, and the danger comes when with passing years these hopes remain unfulfilled, especially when things seem to be working out well for their friends. The devil will make capital of that, and may endeavour to promote a romance with an unsaved fellow-student or colleague. Be strong. Firmly turn down the very first request for a date. Try to crush any emotional romantic feelings. Seek the Lord's help to resist the temptation to embark on a pathway of disobedience that could lead to misery. Don't be swayed by the thought that perhaps a union with an unsaved person could lead to their conversion: disobedience can never be justified.

MARRIAGE "IN THE LORD"

In context, this phrase is used in connection with remarriage after widowhood (1 Cor 7.39), but undoubtedly it refers to what every Christian marriage ought to be. Obviously, the term involves the fact that there should be no unequal yoke, but there is more to it than that. "In the Lord" implies that both parties are subject to the Lordship of Christ, so both would want His will for their lives. It means that there will be spiritual compatibility, united desires to serve God, and shared convictions about the principles of God's Word, including those which regulate church life. Zacharias and Elisabeth illustrate this (Lk 1.6). In Isaac and Rebekah, David and Michal, and Job and his wife we see the stresses that are created when there is not that spiritual compatibility.

CONCLUSION

Marriage is a major issue. Do all in your power to allow God and His Word to guide you: a wrong step would be extremely serious.

PASSAGES TO STUDY AND QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

1 Turn to 2 Corinthians 6.14-7.1. In v.15 the word infidel (KJV) simply means unbeliever. It is translated thus in v.14. In v.16, "temple of God" is a metaphor/illustration of the local church. Using your margin or concordance, find the phrase in the first epistle. In that context find two other descriptions of the local church:- God's h--------, and God's b-------.

2 God has promised to be a "Father" to believers who live a life of separation from the world (v.18). Feeling the isolation this can bring, they have the assurance of His fatherly care. But He also has the power to uphold them, for the verse tells us that He is the "Lord Almighty". The word "omnipotent" is the word we use to describe the fact that He is almighty. To whom did He say, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect". (Use a concordance.)

3 Genesis 4. Who was the man who first departed from God's ideal of a one man/one woman relationship?

4 Hebrews 13.4 promises judgment for immorality. Read 1 Thessalonians 4.1-8. Which verse teaches the same fact?

5 Read 2 Samuel 6 to see how Michal's "love" for David had disappeared to the extent that "she despised him in her heart".

6 Read Judges 16 to see the disastrous consequence of an unequal yoke.

7 Read Amos 3.3. See it as a general principle and another reason as to why an unequal yoke would be folly.

8 Read Job 1 & 2. Find the section which shows that Job's wife had a different outlook on things from him.