Twin City church of Christ Blog
“June 14, 2024 - Unequally Yoked”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsUnequally Yoked
Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:11-18
Paul’s concerns for the Corinthians boil over here as he addresses their willingness to be influenced by ungodly people. “You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections”(2 Cor 6:12). He longs for them to open their hearts to him as he has opened himself to them (v. 11, 12). The Corinthians have embraced some agitators who discredit Paul and influence the group to ignore him. Paul is not expressing hurt feelings; he is frustrated that the Corinthians’ relationships are hindering the gospel.
Some things just don’t go together. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?”(2 Cor 6:14-16). God’s people, standards, worship, and work do not belong with Satan’s. Christians who are involved in close relationships of influence with evil people are like unequally yoked animals. An ox and a donkey can be linked together, but too much work will fall on one and the relationship will hurt. Paul urges the Corinthians to cut off their connection to Paul’s opponents: “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you”(2 Cor 6:17).
When Christians are tied together in close relationships with unbelievers, they don’t match. Their priorities, loves, behaviors, hopes, and concerns are not the same. While we seek opportunities to bless unbelievers and lead them to Jesus, being “yoked” with them implies a connection with spiritual influence. The answer to the problem is not to eliminate all worldly people from our lives, but to be honest and cautious about the influence others have over us.
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One Thing to Think About: Who am I allowing to influence me?
One Thing to Pray For: Spiritual people to influence me toward Jesus
