The Bible instructs us to beware of close relationships with nonbelievers of Christ.
This tends to be a difficult concept for many Christians to accept
because many of these relationships were formed during their pre-Christ life. Some will argue
that they desire to lead their friends into the life with Christ that they have
come to live. However, as we get closer
to Jesus and change our lives, the dynamics
of these other relationships will change if our non-believing friends do not
share the same passion that we have
for Christ. We may have
acquaintances who have not accepted Christ as their Savior, but it is impossible for two people going in opposite directions to have a close
intimate bond. The very fact that they are going in opposite directions will cause them to separate over the course of time.
What is a Yoke?
A physical yoke was a wooden crosspiece used to connect two
animals together in order to pull a plow or a cart. These animals had no choice but to walk in the same direction because the yoke prohibited them from going in separate
directions. The yoke that 2 Corinthians 6:14 refers to, represents a strong bond between people. In
order to maintain the previous bond that was established between the two
individuals, both people have to be of the same
mindset. Yoking can include a believer being married to a nonbeliever
or a believer being close friends with a nonbeliever. If there is a yoke between a Christian and
a non-Christian, one person has to give up their point of view. The Christian has to accept the way of the non-Christian, or the non-Christian has to accept the principles of the word of God. When we fail to break unhealthy spiritual
bonds, we decide to accept the punishment of God rather than the acceptance and
love of God.
Scientifically Proven
Science proves that we can be influenced by the emotions of
the people closest to us. Even when we
believe that we are in complete control of our thoughts, we discover that we
are really vulnerable to the desires and will of others. The nervous system in the human body is
comprised of billions of nerve endings called neurons. There are
approximately 100 billion neurons in the brain and a similar amount throughout
the rest of the body. The neurons control thought and movement throughout
the body by the process of transmitting, receiving and interpreting signals
from the brain. For example if you wanted to raise your right arm, the
neurons from your brain would send an electrical signal to the neurons throughout
your body. These neurons will receive the signal, interpret the message
and transmit the signal to the neurons controlling movement of your right arm;
and your right arm will rise. The electrical signals that are transmitted
via the neurons create an energy field or a magnetic field. This magnetic
field is also produced when electrical current runs through a metal wire.
When a magnetic field is created by electrical current running through a
wire, it can produce an electrical output through a different metal wire.
This is known as magnetic induction. In simple terms, electrical current through one wire has the ability to
affect a separate piece of wire. The electricity flowing through the
human body causes the heart to create a magnetic field which is strong enough
to affect other people in close proximity. This means that we have the ability to be affected by the emotions and
intentions of people that we are in close fellowship with. I don’t
know if the men that God used to contribute to the Bible understood any of this
but God knew how we were constructed because He made us! There is a
direct correlation between some of the instructions that God has given us to
follow and what science has to say about how we interrelate with one another. James 4:4 says, Adulterers and
adulteresses! Do you not know that
friendship with the world is enmity with God?
Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy
of God. Will our friendships make us enemies of God? We must ensure that our relationships are not
steering us away from God. Even as we
acknowledge how electrical current running through one metal wire can
manipulate the electrical output of another metal wire, we understand the
powerful influence that one individual can have in the life of another
person. This should caution us even the
more against being unequally yoked.
Conclusion
It is essential that, as Christians, we live by the standard that God has created for us. In order to maintain that standard, our
relationship with unbelievers must be placed in its proper perspective; we should show love and respect towards them. While we should allow ourselves to be
approachable and inviting to lead people to Christ with love, the most intimate
relationships should be reserved for other believers. Only then will
we live the quality of life that God has prepared for us. In today’s
society, many people believe that it is not necessary to live our lives by the
Word but God has already made it clear
that it will be His way or no way at all. He will NOT accept any compromise on our part.
There is only ONE WAY: GOD’S
WAY!
Proverbs 12:26 The
righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads
them astray.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do
not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has
righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
