Forbidden Partnerships

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Where do we draw the line with relationships with unbelievers? Do we isolate ourselves from unbelievers? (1 Cor 5:9-10). Or if we have an unbelieving spouse, do we leave him/her? (1 Cor 7:12-13). We still have a responsibility to witness for Christ and if we have no contact with those who are without Christ how do we share the gospel?

The term "unequally yoked" gives us a picture of an oxen and a mule teamed up together to plow a field. Because of the uneven weight distribution, an animal is going to end up hurt.

The same is with us, we need to have relationships with unbelievers but we need to be careful of the level of closeness/intimacy in that relationship.

Remember our animal friends? They could walk next to each other without harm but once they were bound together, injury would occur. If the closeness of the relationship causes you to compromise your faith or your Christian walk then you need to cool off the relationship some - take the yoke off.

(Resource: The Life Application© New Testament Commentary©, 2001 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, IL 60189)