Yoked




Unequally yoked




 First we must define yoked. What is yoked? Yoked is tying together equally yoked as a team, as in two or more animals tied together to draw a cart or carriage. If these animals are unequally yoked it is bad. These animals must me equally of the same type and weight. If a donkey is tied together with an 800 lb ox there will be a problem. The cart will go in circles or in a straight line the ox will drag the donkey to its death. Yoked in the Bible means two or more animals or people tied together.
Yoked in the Bible means two people tied together in a marriage contract or as business partners in a contract. When a Christian and a non Christian are tied or yoked together there will be bad influences. Believers and unbelievers are opposite, they have nothing in common. Jesus and the enemy have nothing in common.



The Bible defines a “believer as a Christian.
Let’s define “believer”, what is a believer? In today's world a believer does not necessarily mean they are a Christian even though it can be defined that way. I know many people that are believers in God and go to church and therefore believe they are a Christian. 




Paul in Corinthians doesn’t state; do not be friends with or associate with unbelievers. He states do not be unequally yoked.


We live in a world which is governed by the enemy. We gave up that world we became a Christian.
When we associate and are friends with a unbeliever we must be cautious and on our toes.
Jesus associated with unbelievers, he wanted to teach them.

Now let’s look at other parts of the Bible. The most important commandment is, love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul. The second commandment is love your neighbor as yourself. That means love all others, not just believers but also non believers. It’s imperative when we have friends and relatives that they understand we are a Christian and we live like one, we are an example to them. No were in the Bible does it state we can’t be friends with or not love unbelievers. 
We are to love all others.
When we spend time with and associate with Christian brothers and sisters we grow with strengthen.
How can we witness and set an example to non-believers if we are not to associate or befriend them?





2 Corinthians 6;14-18
Unequal Partners
14 Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore “come out from their midst, and be separate,” says the Lord, “and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the All-Powerful Lord.

 

2 Corinthians 6;14-18

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?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.



2 Corinthians 5; 14-18
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said;

I will live with them

and walk among them,and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”


17 Therefore,Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you.”
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.


2 Corinthians 6;14-18
14 Do not yoke yourselves together in a team with unbelievers. For how can righteousness and lawlessness be partners? What fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between the Messiah and B’liya‘al? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement can there be between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God — as God said,

I will house myself in them, . . .
and I will walk among you.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore Adonai says,
“‘Go out from their midst;
separate yourselves;
don’t even touch what is unclean.
Then I myself will receive you.
18 In fact, I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters.’





timothy skon, Chaplain
serving others, guided by Jesus
7/6/16