What does "unequally yoked" mean to you?

perhaps someone will come out with something none of us have ever considered before.

Well I doubt that some have considered how omelettes made from an even number of eggs, such as 2 or 4, are preferrable to those made from an odd number. (Unequally yoked...)

MC

To me it means many things. Certainly it applies to a marriage or dating/courting relationship. I also believe it applies to a buisness partnership. I believe it also applies to ministries as I've become aware recently that certain mission organizations operate in conjunction with secular ones. Perhaps these verses would apply anytime two parties are working toward a common goal.

In Ezra there is very good example about this subject:

Ezr 4:1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;
Ezr 4:2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, [b]Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him[/b] since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Ezr 4:3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them,[b] Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel,[/b] as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

Shouldn't we look to what Jesus' interpretation/opinion of this is? And for that, we look to His life.

He dined with tax collectors and pharisees, but did not take part in their works... (I can't think of some others, maybe some people can add some stuff about His life that would expound upon these verses?)

As far as 'fellowship' with the 'unfruitful works of darkness'-- I believe this doesn't mean we cannot dine with the 'pharisaic' people of today, or the 'tax collector' (of today-- politicians, maybe?) or whatever-- hmm, actually, it's interesting how Paul says that to have no fellowship with the WORKS of unfruitfulness-- not the PEOPLE of unfruitfulness!! This means, if you dine with a sinner, or care for a sinner, fine, that is OK, share unto him the testimony of our Lord Jesus, but do not share in his works of unfruitfulness, under any circumstances.

I could be wrong, but I think this fellowship word is somehow significant. I can be around you, dine with you, and not fellowship with you.... yoking yourself with an unbeliever is not just 'dining' with an unbeliever.. it's attaching yourself spiritually or whatever to them, not just in marriage alone. But anyhow, look to Jesus' life, and see what He did, then look at Paul's life, etc., and we'll get a picture of what this truly means...

We have to just take these scriptures into context really and not go too far on the end with 'em ("You cannot have any contact with any unsaved!")

Edit: To respond to Krispy, I do not believe this is referring to not having fellowship or contact at all with Catholic/Muslim/whatever people, or even people in the church in general that are in unsound doctrine, even if it's 'heretical' or whatever (Mormons/JWs). I believe it means (and says) not taking part in their works. (I.e., NOT taking their "communion," even if it's an evangelical church as much as a 'catholic' church-- their both the same in deadness when their not lead by the Spirit, or not participating in their 'praise/worship' services-- but still loving them.)

Jordan

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

This verse emcompasses a wide range of possibilities. Exactly what evil do we see in the world around us? Do we suppoert it with our money? our silence? our friendship? Are we light which exposes the evil? Do we assist in anything that in our spirit questions but we ignore for any reason?

There is a lot of evil that masquarades as Christian .. so do we have the discernment to know which is evil and which is not? I would guess this issue is one we face regularly but have not given it much thought because the world around us is so wicked and we are getting used to the dark..

Oh, it says to reprove it! Now that will put you in the middle of some conflict.. And will earn you some genuine persecution at some point.

Personally, I would find it a whole lot easier to witness for my LORD at some meeting like Ravi did then I would at some church which has apostasized....my opinion. In fact recently, Jaya spoke at a gathering like this...the group had apostasized and I was in awe how the Holy Spirit directed her...I was full of praise and left with me shaking my head! Therefore I am reluctant to be critical of anyone who will go into the lion's den and ministers for my Lord and Master.

We must be very careful with who we fellowship with because they will influence us for either good or bad. What happens is we open up our hearts to each other and the Enemy knows this and unless you are one in spirit, the enemy will be very devious in pulling you down to destroy you, so yes, my understanding on this is we must be very careful who we chose to be our intimate friends. I have friends from different church denomination them mine, but we respect each other and work to build each other up.

My opinion and understanding...

ginnyrose

To place the Scripture in 2 Corinthians 6:14 in context to what Paul is teaching, one must look to verse 12...

"You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."

Paul identifies the reason for the strife and struggles found within the Corinthian church. The brethren have not obeyed the Holy Spirit, but have remained babes in Christ. They still hold onto the "affections" of the old man. The source of those "affections" are then defined by Paul in verses 14-16. The things that cause the Corinthian brethren to continue to stumble are founded in worldly philosophies and traditions. They are founded upon the spiritual power emaninating from Satan.

To remain "yoked" to these hopes thus "restricts" the spiritual growth of those who still love the things of this world. The source of motivation for these brethren remain in the preservation of "self."

On the other hand, a believer who obeys the Lord will suffer the loss of this world, but will realize this promise, "I will be a Father to you and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

With this understanding we then go into the world to witness the glory of the Lord in the midst of the darkness wherever the Lord may call...

In Christ
Jeff

I've been hammered of late because I've stood up to a "Christian Community" that teaches that christians are "little elohims", "little gods". I have been rebuked over and over again by "well intended" believers. I simply cannot endorse any entity that preaches contrary to the Word of God, nor can I have fellowship with them. I see some of them including the leader, who happens to be a female. But I do not sit or converse with them. I'm not rude, just distant.

My 2 cents,

"O"

good points from everyone.. from Jehoshaphat's story in

1 Kings 22:3-5

3And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

4And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel,[b][color=0000CC] I am as thou art, my people as thy people,[/color][/b] my horses as thy horses.

5And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

one might draw a lesson from the above that yoking for the sake of religious, social or national 'benefits', or in the name of 'love' can bring disaster to God's children, most times through very subtle ways and means

There is a lot of evil that masquarades as Christian

The main purpose of the local church is to encourage, edify, equip and strengthen the believer. Then, as a result, evangelism happens.

This calls a verse to mind...

"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God."

There are many 'ministries' in America. Yet how many are really just christianized consultants for issues such as financial management, entertainment and publishing, mental health, ect. Also many churches preach wonderful and important things like social justice and world peace...but not the gospel.

edit: This is not to say that these pursuits are somehow contrary or antagonistic to the gospel. In fact many of these causes are very compatible with the gospel, worthy of the Christian's participation. However... can we say that mere 'compatibility' is not the test of being properly yoked? That unless we are seperated to the gospel we are still yoked to the world.

Can we simply say that a Christian remains unequally yoked even if they are committed to many fine causes '....yet never becoming seperated to the gospel of God?

The question sparked this thought: If our hearts are still divided over Christ it is because we are still united to the world.

MC

bro Mike C

Well I doubt that some have considered how omelettes made from an even number of eggs, such as 2 or 4, are preferrable to those made from an odd number. (Unequally yoked)

bro Mike you're off the chain!!! i was rolling with laughter on that!!!

i bless our Lord for such light-hearted moments on these boards!