The Bible says not to be yoked together with unbelievers?

Question

2 Corinthians 6: 14 : "...be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers".

Does that mean i have to avoid these people?

Yet in Christs examples, He dines in with them, but of course, He is Christ....and once people believe in Him... they are not unbelievers anymore in those days...


But how about when my co-workers are....what you can consider an unbeliever....is tthat a veritable proof, i should resign? because i talk to them everyday.

Answer 1

We cannot help but mix with the people of the world.As you said,we work with them,we live next door to themHowever,what the Scripture is implying is to avoid close personal association with those not of your faith,so that your faith is not weakened or compromised.
Jesus was involved in preaching to people and that involved talking and mixing with them.When he dined with for example the tax collector,he was teaching a lesson.
1Cor 15:33 warns Christians - "Bad association spoil useful habits"
There is a difference between speaking to someone,say at work;having close personal association with someone and preaching to someone.

Answer 2

Sure - why not - since you have taken the passage out of context, I will gladly play along.
I think you should resign - quit - leave them unbelievers behind to wallow in their own filth and sin untouched by your Holiness and cleanness of thought and faith in the word of your god (of your self worship).
Then.... put up a tall fence around your house - oh yes and a sign, a big one - NON BELIEVERS STAY OUT - every 4 feet so those unbelievers can not miss it. That way you do not have to display how you live the word of your god in your every day life -- OH WAIT !! That's right!... the fence already shows your faith and lifestyle. Well then... you're all set.

For others that might be interested...
Most folk that have written about 2 Corinthians 6:14 understand it to mean several things. The two most popular interpretations - 1st. if you are a single person and want to marry, marry another believer. - 2nd. Like minded people generally have similar goals and interests.
For a farmer it would mean having oxen, horses of equal size strength pulling a wagon or plow. They work evenly, in a straight line, equally sharing the burden. Unequally yoked sized ox / horse would mean different walking/pulling step length - think of three legged race with a guy 6'5" if you are 5'10" - it would be more work for you to keep up and for the two of you to run in a straight line - you would be - unequally yoked.

Answer 3

I think that it means that you are not to become close with unbelievers as not to fall backwards yourself. Of course you have to have association with unbelievers in your life or else how could you tell them about God.
I think that when you are with unbelievers you need let them know that you are a believer and always you need to show by example that you are true to your faith. This way you can teach others the trueth about our loving God Jehovahand his son Jesus Christ.
Also it means that you are,nt to have a marriage partnership with an unbeliever but rather with a person who also is a belever. If you find God after you aleady are married it does not mean that you are to divorce them though.

Answer 4

I believe that this is talking about marriage mainly. It is OK to go among nonbelievers to bring them to Christ, but we are not suppose to spend a lot of time with them. Their sins will effect you and draw you into their sins. The Bible says that if one walks with an wise man, he will become wise, but if you walk with a fool you will be destroyed. Also if you hang out with an angry man, you will become angry. I believe that we should live a life that is balanced. That if we know that a fellow Christian is in a known sin, then we should not even eat with that person. As being a former alcoholic, I do not go into the bars much. I find them very depressing, but why would I put myself in this situation? God delivered me and I do not want to go back to my old ways. I am happy with where I am at. I am glad that I married a good Christian woman. I see a lot of Christians going through a lot of troubles because they married someone who was not a Christian, or a person who was pretending to be a Christian. When I got saved, I tried to go back and save my friends, they were happy for me on the outside, but they did not want what I had. I had to leave my friends because they were no longer my friends. We did not have the same likes and dislikes. In fact, they did not want to see me. I made new friends in the Church and they are better than my old friends and they are even closer to me than my own family. If you want to live a victorious Christian life, live a sanctified life. Make your home your sanctuary! I believe the work place is a different story. You need to work and it can be a good place to witness to people. Unless the work place is so evil, you do not want to support anything that promotes sin, like a bar, a casino, porno and the such. If the work place is too evil, quit. God will honer your decision.

Answer 5

Great Q. The NIV says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers."

Paul is saying not to form binding relationships. This does not mean no association - see 1 Cor 5:9. Paul also says if you are married to an unbeliever, to stay with them - see 1 Cor 7:12. Paul wants believers to be active with non-believers, but to exercise caution in business and to not enter into relationships that could force one to compromise their faith.

Answer 6

Never avoid anyone. If your a christian you can have plenty of oportunitys to share the Gospel. Just follow Christs' example and you'll be alright. He spent time with them but He wasnt spending to much time with them. However, i dont believe it would've affected my Lord. A yoke is the thing that 2 cows are connected 2 to till the ground (like in the older days).

Answer 7

I think the Bible means not to "hang out" with them and get caught up in the ways of the world. We have to work and mingle with non-believers all the time. We have to set an example. Remember, You are the only Bible some people read.

Answer 8

This is one of my favorite verses! This would refer to the choice of your spouse or very close friends. My dad had this very problem. He married a woman that went through a fake conversion just to appease him and afterwards she refused to go to church or even read the Bible. It ended up causing huge problems that led to a divorce.

If anybody reading this is an honest believer, DO NOT EVER MARRY UNBELIEVERS. I wouldnt even suggest marrying a someone that has converted but still has major problems. (my mistake) Fortunately for me it hasnt led to divorce as of yet but im not ruling it out. Be very careful who you marry!

Answer 9

Its talking about marriage. When you get married with an unbeliever, it is harder on both. A yoke is a burden. Paul is recommending not to be married with an unbeliever.

Answer 10

This reference means don't partnership with unbelievers because they might weaknen your christian commitment, integrity or standards. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness.An unbeliever is one who dosen't believe that Jesus is Lord.You have to work, it would be foolish to quit your job because of non-belivers unless your beliefs are a key to doing your job. Use wisdom and pray for the answer.