NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED 2 Corinthians 6:14

The text – 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 Paul’s desire – that these brethren be holy – 2 Corinthians 7:1 His desire was that they not be caught up in idolatrous practices nor to imply approval He is encouraging them to take steps to ensure they are not caught up in this conduct

The text – 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 Not unequally yoked – 6:14 Yoke – a device that joins together two animals as a team. Unequally yoked – different or contrasting things Leviticus 19:19 Deuteronomy 22:10 Possible point – separation and distinction

The text – 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 Unequally yoked with unbelievers Is this Jews that rejected Jesus? (2 Cor. 3:7-18, Acts 18:12-13) Is this brethren causing problems with Christians? 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, 2 Cor. 2:17, 4:2 Is it one who has never submitted to God? 1 Cor. 6:6, 7:12-14, 2 Cor. 4:4 All of these? Probably the third!

The text – 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 The point – a warning against yoking yourself with someone committing sins Participating in these sins - fellowship (consider vs. 14-16) Also implied, do not put ourselves in a situation where an unbeliever has an advantage! Come out and be separate (vs. 17) We are different and should stay that way

The text – 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 Is Paul saying to have no dealings with the world? 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 1 Corinthians 10:25-27 Jesus noted we are in the world – John 17:14-16 Who do you prefer to be around?

How can we be unequally yoked? Corinthian idolatry – participating in ceremonies (Possibly guilds), eating foods known to be sacrificed to idols, even temple prostitution

How can we be unequally yoked? Are we guilty of being unequally yoked with idolatry? Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:5 Do we find ourselves practicing idolatrous behaviors? Sports, television, social media, games, etc. Matthew 6:24

How can we be unequally yoked? Is this talking about marriage to an unbeliever? NOT the union! NOTHING in the context dealing with this IF this applies to marrying an unbeliever than 1) God does not recognize the marriage, OR 2) God accepts a sinful marriage

How can we be unequally yoked? Is this talking about marriage to an unbeliever? 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 – instructions to one married to an unbeliever HOWEVER, while the union may not be sinful, to marry an unbeliever IS unwise and CAN result in a circumstance where one is unequally yoked to an unbeliever

How can we be unequally yoked? By failing to prepare to defend your faith 1 Peter 3:15 – be ready to give an answer In our secular society, we need to prepare ourselves and our youth to face ungodly and anti-God rhetoric. To bury our heads in the sand could cause us to be unequally yoked

How can we be unequally yoked? By going places where you are tempted to sin or outnumbered spiritually 1 Corinthians 15:33, 2 Timothy 2:22 Psalm 1:1 Proverbs 1:10ff When we deliberately enter the devil’s domain, we may be unequally yoked

How can we be unequally yoked? By failing to grow as you ought to If we’re not growing spiritually, we are likely drifting back into the world Hebrews 2:1 Will we give up worldly pursuits? 2 Peter 1:5-11 – are we making our calling and election sure? Failure to grow can make you unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Peter 5:8-9)

With whom are you yoked?