What Does Unequally Yoked Mean?
Unequally yoked, is usually referred to as being a believer and an unbeliever. Just like oxen or horses need to be about the same size, strength, and capabilities when linked together, so should human partners. Yet, in the case of humans, unequally yoked refers to their spiritual beliefs. Couples should both be believers or both be unbelievers, so that they are not going in circles or pulling each other in opposite directions. So, if you love someone, why does it matter whether they believe in God or not? Isn’t the love between you the only thing that matters? Love is important, however it may be an uphill battle if you are paired with someone who is not in the same place spiritually as you. Hi friends, How are you today? Today, I chose to write about a topic, which we might not think of very often. It has to do with relationships and being unequally yoked. So, what does that mean and why should we consider it? Do Not Be Unequally Yoked with Unbelievers
Why shouldn't we be unequally yoked? The most important reason we shouldn't be unequally yoked is that God tells us not to do it. We can see that we are warned and called against the practice in verses such as 2 Corinthians 6:14. God knows that we are easily led astray, so He doesn't want us with people who will pull at our heartstrings and send us in the wrong direction. Therefor, it is unproductive and unhealthy to be unequally yoked. Even though your love may seem strong in the beginning, there may come a time when your difference in belief may be a cause for strife or distress. For example, if one spouse goes to church and the other doesn’t, it might not be a big deal in the beginning, but the person going to church may feel torn some day. That person may feel lonely going to church by himself or herself, seeing many other families and spouses at church together. Or, the person going to church may start to want to miss church to be with his or her spouse, especially if the couple doesn’t get to spend much time together during the week. This difference could lead to struggles, fights, and difficult feelings. The relationship may feel one-sided, like one person is carrying more of the weight of the relationship than the other. Conflict may arise from one person going to church and the other not, one person praying and the other not, one person quoting scripture and the other not, one person reading the Bible and the other not, one person having faith in God and the other not. The unbeliever may get tired of the believer talking about God and faith or get tired of the believer trying to get him or her to believe the same. It may make him or her feel like they are not good enough and the marriage will break up because of it. A low self-esteem or low self-confidence can create all kinds of strife and upheaval. That person may start to lash out. There are other differences that could cause you to feel unequally yoked as time goes by. There could be differences in age, differences in education, differences in ethnicity, differences in work ethic. Yet, a difference in beliefs is at the very heart and soul of one’s being. The other things are just surface issues and may be easier to overcome. One may feel that it will get better over time. Yet, if the believer grows in faith, the distance between the two will only get wider and wider. And, one definitely does not want to go backwards in their faith, so they can be closer to their spouse. That will only put them both farther from God. Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Holy Scriptures! Thank you for giving us this guide in how to live. Thank you for your love. Help us to remember these words about being unequally yoked when we consider being in a relationship with others who do not share the same belief or the same level of belief as we do, especially when we are considering marriage. Help us to understand that this is more important than we may feel when we feel that we are in love with someone and nothing else matters. I ask you this through your Son, Jesus. Amen. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Reflective Questions for 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV): *What does 2 Corinthians 6:14 mean to me? *What does it mean to be unequally yoked? *Am I unequally yoked with friends, coworkers, or family members? *Are these relationships healthy? *What can I do to better adhere to this verse? *What can I do to help others consider the importance of this verse? If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to read some of these similar posts: *Are You Righteous or Self-Righteous When it Comes to Mistakes? *Do You Believe in God's Word and Pray for Knowledge and Good Judgment? Now, it is your turn: I would like to hear your thoughts? Are you in an unequally yoked relationship? Is is difficult? Are there any other topics or verses you would like to see in the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations? If you enjoy this content, please share it with your friends and family. Also, if you haven't signed up to have it sent to your inbox, please consider doing so. Thank you.
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“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
James 1:27 (KJV) Hi Friends, How are you today? Last week, I wrote about James 1:26, which was about fake religion. This week, I chose to write about James 1:27, which is about true or pure religion. Do we ever think about the difference between fake religion and pure religion? Do we ever check ourselves and pray as to which we are practicing? It is often thought of that religion means going to church on Sunday. Yet, worshiping is only one part of religion. Going to church is only a small part of pure religion. As we see in James 1:27, pure religion includes loving others, because God loves us. It includes doing things such as visiting and helping orphans, widows, sick, poor, and those who have troubles in some way or another. It includes helping a friend, a neighbor, and even a stranger during difficult times. We all have troubles and it is a religious and Christian thing to help others in whatever way we can. In other words, religion is a lifestyle, not a once a week date at church. It is serving and comforting those in need, not being pious, prim, and proper. Pure religion is serving others with humbleness, not trying to bring all attention to yourself or your deeds. Pure religion is keeping your focus on God and not the various fads of the world. So, it is time to look into our hearts and see which we are doing? Are we participating in fake religion or pure religion? What is in our heart? God knows so we can’t fool Him. We may be fooling others, and ourselves but we can never fool God. For many of us, it may be that we are some where in the middle. That isn’t all that good either. We are to love God with our whole heart. Speaking for myself, I have room for improvement. Do you? Sometimes, I think we get into a routine, where we don’t really think about how we are doing. I think we may go to church or read the Bible or even volunteer at certain events and think we are doing well. Yet, we don’t always take a good look at what we are doing and how well we are following God’s Word and God’s will for us. We think we are doing well, because we aren’t cheating or stealing or breaking any of the commandments of the Old Testament. Yet, are we following the commandment of Jesus? Do we love God with our whole being in all that we do and loving others as ourselves? This is pure religion. Heavenly Father, Thank you for your love and guidance. Thank you for giving us your Word in order to know how we should live and what we should do. Help us to work towards pure religion and not fake religion. Help us to serve you and not to be like those in the world, but those in your kingdom. Help us to love you with our whole heart and whole being and to love others as ourselves. Help us to know that this is what you want for us and from us. Help us to look towards Jesus as our true example and to listen to your Holy Spirit for direction. I ask you this through your Son, Jesus. Amen. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Reflective Questions for James 1:27 (KJV): *What does James 1:27 mean to me? *Do I practice fake religion or pure religion? *Is religion a weekly visit to a church or an every day lifestyle practice for me? *What can I do different to better practice pure religion? *Do I stop and check myself often to make sure I am doing my best to practice pure religion or do I get caught up in the habit without thinking about it? Now, it is your turn! I would like to hear your thoughts and comments. Please, comment below. Also, if you are enjoying this blog, please subscribe to get updated content in your inbox and share this blog with your friends. Thank you.
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Hi friends!
This is Jodi. I am so glad you are here! I am a Christian and life-long learner. I enjoy sharing and encouraging others. I pray you are blessed by this blog. Thank you for being here. Archives
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