14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?
15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
Yoke: A Word Rarely Used Today, Yet Rich With Meaning for the Believer
In Paul’s day, farming was a well-respected and essential way of life. Eating from the land wasn’t taken for granted as it is today, so it was common practice to use farming metaphors when teaching spiritual truths. In fact, the word “yoke” appears 49 times in the Bible, showing that who the children of God attach themselves to is of great importance to Him. Jesus has specific instructions about His own yoke in Matthew 11:29-30 stating: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
What we read as the New Testament was not written at the time of Paul’s ministry. When Jesus spoke of His yoke, Paul was still a Pharisee, making unlikely that he would have heard or respected any of Jesus’ teachings. This just adds weight to the significance of the yoke as a metaphor for the believer. It is a picture God intentionally preserved—one the Holy Spirit inspired writers to use across scripture, to teach His people how to walk in unity with Him.
When two oxen are “unequally yoked” there is a shorter or weaker ox teamed with a taller or stronger ox. The shorter or weaker ox slows down the two, even leading them to walk in circles instead of moving forward. In the same way, the unbeliever acts as a counterbalance to the faith of the believer. Being unequal spiritually is what Paul is warning against, not stature or strength. Unequally yoked spiritually leads to confusion, frustration, misunderstanding, and misdirection.
Interaction is Unavoidable, but Unions Can Be Costly
It is impossible to avoid interacting with unbelievers; they are in our workplaces, communities, online spaces, and even in the social gatherings believers attend. Lukewarm believers can find themselves thinking and acting like unbelievers without even realizing it. So while unbelievers will be among us until the end of the age, it remains our duty to protect our faith by limiting the influence we allow them to have over us. Building close relationships with unbelievers risks being subtly led into sin. Gradually, the norms of the world begin to feel acceptable. “Jesus turned water into wine” becomes the justification that leads from casual to excessive drinking. “Try it before you buy it” becomes the excuse for fornication. Believers do stumble and commit sin, but being yoked together with unbelievers increases the danger of drifting into a sin-filled life.
Light cannot fellowship with darkness because of the power its gravity holds in this fallen world. The god of this world is Satan, and he uses unbelievers to spiritually blind those who are not firmly rooted in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). God has commanded the light to shine out of darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6), but for the believer’s light to shine onto the unbeliever does not require communion with them. It means that in our interactions, the way we carry ourselves, and live our lives should influence them toward Christ. Light shines and can influence from a distance. Darkness, however, does not illuminate; it must draw its subject close in order to exert influence.
Light has nothing in common with darkness; Christ has no alignment with Belial—a name meaning “worthlessness” referring to Satan himself. Just as Jesus separated Himself from the ways of Satan, God’s children must separate themselves from the ways of this world. We are commanded to form no union with the ungodly—this is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 6:14: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”
Unholy Unions Lead to Discipline and Chastisement From God
The moral infrastructure that forms the foundation for the unbeliever is built on a completely different framework than that which forms the beliefs of the child of God. Forming a union with the ungodly will undoubtedly shake the framework your foundation is built on—leading to losses that only a complete course correction can regain. It is the kind of spiritual detour that requires being grafted back in again for spiritual restoration after repentance (Romans 11:23)—and the spiritual discipline and chastisement that come with that process is no small matter.
Choose your unions wisely and ask God for wisdom when forming them. This covers romantic relationships, friendships, and even business partnerships. While we cannot choose our earthly family, we can choose to distance ourselves from family members who are not Christ-centered. Do not overlook ungodly ways for the sake of family ties—those who are prideful, critical of others, bitter, or angry—they can be just as damaging to you as a friend or associate who shares the same traits. Following Christ is not a walk handed down automatically from generation to generation, though a Christ-centered upbringing can be a powerful influence. This is why we must teach the young among us to follow Christ, not only with our words but expressed in the way we live. Our example becomes the yoke they learn to walk under.
Scriptures That Warn Against Unholy Unions
Psalm 1:1
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
Proverbs 29:27
“The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.”
Romans 1:29-32
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”
1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love the world nor 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. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
A Prayer to Walk in Faith as a Child of Light
Father God in Heaven, although I am surrounded by nonbelievers in this world, Your light shines through their darkness, giving me the hope of the promise of Your Kingdom—the inheritance I have received through your only begotten Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I rest in the work of the Cross, knowing that my faith is my bond to You. Let your Spirit guide me and show me how to be a vessel of Your light. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Trinitarian Benediction
As darkness tries to overtake you, may God’s light shine brighter through you.
May you find strength in Jesus your savior when your flesh grows weak.
And may the Holy Spirit lead you away from every temptation.