Paul says, "And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? Think about that. If you've tried to share the Gospel and still the person doesn't want Christ, don't worry. Pray for them. Ok, so you say the people you partner with are Christians. Do they really pursue Christ? Do they obey the Word of God?
Do they honor God with their lives, and not just with their tongues or religious affiliations? Paul says of these people,. Stay away from people like that! You need to avoid being influenced by these people.
Don't hate them, but don't let them sway you from your pursuit of Christ as well. Ok, they're Christians who pursue the Lord, but still you can't agree on what you are doing. When one decides to follow Christ, he or she yields to Him first, and His Holy Spirit provides direction. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? This is strong language applied to a common situation — where a Christian marries a non-Christian.
What does it mean to be unequally yoked? And why is this so serious? Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Their work will be light even though there will still be toil because they will be striving to go in the same direction, joyfully burdened for Christ. Their burden will be light because their equal yoke will bring peace and rest. A yoke conveys the idea of two bulls joined to the task of pulling a plow, but they are not well matched. They are unable to pull the plow in a straight line. This is what it looks like when one partner follows Christ, and the other does not.
This is particularly true in marriage. Including their spouse. Generally, unbelievers prefer to follow their own directions. This can cause frustration, friction, anger, and resentment. To be unequally yoked means two will be living life in opposite directions, so the plow cannot go in a straight line. In the thirteen chapters of Second Corinthians, Paul exhorts the Church in Corinth with an epistle laced with beauty and glory.
While the letter is riddled with beauty, it is not without its perplexing passages. 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?
Opinions proliferate about what it means to be unequally yoked. Does it pertain to marrying or dating non-believers? Is Paul thinking of business partnerships? Is it in reference to spiritual matters only, or does he also have social factors in mind?
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