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Pastor Gabriel Swaggart
Many young people have asked me over the years, and that question is this, “Is it okay for a young person who is a Christian to date a non-Christian?”
I personally believe that it is not okay for a Believer to date a non-Believer simply because they are unequally yoked. The Bible tells us in II Corinthians 6:14, “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath Righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?”
First of all, there are two types of people in the world: Believers and unbelievers. They cannot be a part of both camps, for you either belong to one or the other. These fellowships are in opposition to one another, for one is in fellowship with the Lord, and the other is in fellowship with the world.
Christians are those who have been Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ and are now companions or friends with God. God now dwells within them and walks among them. And because of this, they must have no fellowship with the world, and only on this one condition will God recognize them as His Sons and Daughters. It must be understood that God will not have those who are a part of this world system, i.e., unbelievers, in His Family, for He will not recognize those who are devoted to the world. And whoever is not a friend of God is an enemy of God.
Now, being unequally yoked sets forth a very important principle of Christian practice and behavior, and is in reality, boundaries that we as Believers should never cross. If we do cross that boundary, it could spell disaster. There are two different fields of life: one is based in Christ and the other is based out of Christ. The Christian who belongs to the first field is, according to Scripture, “. . . a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:17), and is to live in that field of new things. In other words, do not shuttle back and forth between the two fields, because if one does that they are, in essence, destroying their experience and influence. There must be a clean-cut separation from the “old field,” and the “new beginning,” which is now in Christ. Yet, while the Bible definitely teaches separation, it does not teach isolation.
TWO DISTINCT OPERATIONS
Secondly, the world system and the Christian system are altogether different and are separate operations. One is from a material realm and the other is from a Spiritual Realm. Satan controls one and the other is controlled by God. For this reason and this reason alone we are warned to not be unequally yoked. For if so yoked, it would link the new and the old, which must not be done. Faith and unbelief can never be yoked together. We as Believers are to be separated from all that is unclean and we are to live our lives characterized by Righteousness.
RELATIONSHIPS
Now, when it comes to relationships, many Believers are under the impression that if they enter into a dating relationship with someone who is an unbeliever, they can win them to the Lord, if given the right opportunity. Anything can happen with the Lord, but I do not personally believe that the Lord will lead us into a relationship with someone who is not like us, in regards to being a Believer. It is believed that we can bring them up to our standard of living, but in reality, it is easier for the unbeliever to pull down the Believer to their standard of living.
I use this illustration in Crossfire. Imagine someone standing on top of a desk or table, and someone else standing on the floor. What is easier to do? Pull someone up on top of the desk, or pull someone down to the floor? It is easier for the one standing on the floor to pull down the one who is standing on top of the desk. Why is that? Gravity for one reason, but most of all, it takes less energy to pull someone down than it does to pull someone up.
COMPROMISE
We must be very careful and earnestly seek the Lord when it comes to relationships, for we must not put ourselves into a position to compromise our Stand and our Faith, for someone who will not be around forever. Satan will try to do anything to get our eyes off of Christ and the Cross to something else, and what better way to do that than with the appeal of the opposite sex. He is looking for any reason, or anything for us to compromise our stance, for once we do compromise, what affect will we be to our peers?
We must present ourselves as Paul said, as a “Living Sacrifice (the word ‘Sacrifice’ speaks of the Sacrifice of Christ, and means that we cannot do this which the Holy Spirit demands unless our Faith is placed strictly in Christ and the Cross, which then gives the Holy Spirit latitude to carry out this great work within our hearts and lives), holy (that which the Holy Spirit Alone can do), acceptable unto God (actually means that a holy physical body, i.e., ‘temple,’ is all that He will accept), which is your reasonable service (reasonable if we look to Christ and the Cross; otherwise impossible!). And be not conformed to this world (the ways of the world): but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (we must start thinking spiritually which refers to the fact that everything is furnished to us through the Cross, and is obtained by Faith and not works), that you may prove what is that good (is put to the test and finds that the things tested meets the specifications laid down), and acceptable, and perfect, Will of God (presents that which the Holy Spirit is attempting to bring about within our lives, and can only be obtained by ever making the Cross the Object of our Faith)” (Rom. 12:1-2).
In Him, Pastor Gabe Swaggart
I was married in 2001 to a man who was brought up in Catholic beleifs and ways. I was raised pentecostal. I was not living for the Lord at the time (neither was he) in fact I got involved with him while I was still married to someone else. I rededicated my life to Christ in 04 and have been ever since, even being baptized in the Holy Ghost. Well, he goes to church with me and professes to be a christian but his walk outside of church is nothing like a true christian walk. He lies to me regulary, he sits on the internet on single dating sites {that I have cought him doing} and pornography. His job does not supply money but yet he is gone daily as if a 9-5 job. {he may get a small check once a month and sometimes every 2 mths) I really have been praying God helps him become the man he wants him to be, but I feel as though my husband doesnt see he is in the wrong. Church family has spoke to him along with others who have seen his walk but he insists he is saved and God is working on him, in Gods time. But again, his actions have not changed at all in 4 years. He knows scriptures and some of the Bible but he uses it against me to try and make me feel guilty for my pass when I call him out on lying or the things he does wrong. I could keep going but I wont. I know this is not equally yoked but should I divorce him or continue to pray for him {which I will either way} He also leaves me and the kids when he is confronted on something he has been caught in, for days at a time, doing only God knows. He says its to walk away so we dont argue but he takes off from the home. DHiatt
After reading or scanning all the above comments or replies, there seems to be a division of opinions of those who humbly take the whole Word of God (as written in the Greek in this context) as being one and the same with the living Word (Jesus) and those who believe their feelings and emotions can be counted on to discern the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said He, the Comforter/Helper, will lead us into the truth (which is Jesus); and Jesus said He, Himself, did not come to do away with the Law but to fulfill it; and besides the Law, He upheld the Prophets and the Psalms--in other words, the written word of the living God. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of discernment to separate us from the flesh (the old man) as we are confronted with challenges to our mindset of living for, in and through Jesus for His glory--and not nitpicking the Word, but relying on the truth that Jesus spoke of: "I and the Father are One", and "He (the Holy Spirit) will speak of Me", etc. Also, in Psalm 118, the Hebrew author wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that God honors His Word above His Name--see the Scripture for the exact quote. If we are His sheep, we are all being led by His Spirit as we submit to Him daily to being "not conformed any longer by the patterns of this world but [are being] transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may be able to test and approve what God's will is, His gppd. pleasing and perfect will. Therefore I say unto you, do not think yourself any higher than you ought to think....." (see Romans 12:1ff)
O.K. I understand what II Corinthians 614 says, but what about 1 Corinthians 7:12-20. I grew up Pentecostal and I married a Catholic. I prayed that if he was the one the Lord wanted me to marry, than it would happen. Well we were married 2005. I wasn't saved myself until after I was married, and it is hard sometimes with our different views on the Word of God, church, creation, etc. But all I can do is pray for him, and myself. I believe that the Lord has plans for my life and my husbands. I do believe he will save him, not sure when, it might not be until he is old. I believe it will happen. I just trust in the Lord with all my heart. I didn't like what you said about relationships. It made me feel like your thoughts were that I or anyone else who was unequally yoked is wrong, and that I am a sinner, and the Lord wouldn't have allowed this to happen. Maybe I took it wrong, not sure. I do agree that as a christian I should not be unequally yoked with people who aren't. I try, it's hard to find good christians out there. I try to live my life for Christ, and not of this world. I'm definately not going to divorce my husband because we are unequally yoked, as that is against what the Bible says.
Lori, you stated that you did not get saved until after you were married so you are not in any sin now since you have come to the Lord and your husband has not, even if you had been saved before we all make mistakes, 1Cor 7:12-20 tells us that if the unsaved is willing to remain in the marriage then we should not worry that we are in sin it would be worse if we left them, however if -they- wish to leave then you would not be in sin then either, so you are ok to stay, there is no condemnation in your relationship. it will be difficult as it is with any marriage but if you keep your focus on Christ and walk with Him He will give you the strength to make it through and hopefully see your husband come to Christ, just remember that it is Christ in you working through you that will bring him to Christ, not by you trying to make his salvation happen you live for the Lord and keep your focus on Christ.
T
Thank you so much for responding to me. Your statement is what I believed, I was just confused after reading the article. I know all of my sins were forgiven the day I accepted the Lord into my heart. My life has changed so much since then. What you said in reply to me was what I have believed since the day I read it. I married a wonderful man, and I just want him to be as passionate about the Lord as I am, and I know the Lord is working on his heart, because I already see changes. I will continue to pray, and be faithful. My faith gets me through anything. As for friends, I will try to surround myself with people who are equally yoked. I don't have many friends right now, as I moved away from my hometown, and my friends. I spend most of my time with my husband and two kids. I would like to have a few close girlfriends, but I want them to be christians. I was really excited at work a few weeks ago to find out a girl I work with was a christian. We have been talking more since. My husband changed jobs last year two and he said there are alot of people at his work that are christians. He likes them, and they ask him to do things with them. I was very happy to hear that. Anyway, I must go tend to my toddler.
Thank you once again!
Please fell free to join us on the forum portion of the site, their are many from around the nation you can interact with and fellowship with, and maybe find someone in your area also.
T
the picture of different colored cows; Color isn't so important-Did Moses have an Ethiopian wife?? not to be indirect, there are interracial marriages in which each person is both born of the spirit and equally yolked. A more descriptive photo may be a cow and a "horse" or "tractor" -- mabey a "motorcycle" even a "team of dogs" may be considered beasts of burden... The point is that every house divided against itself, how can it stand?? How can the wife have a prayer meeting while the one she pledged love and devotion to is in there watching the superbowl with his beer buddies? how can you know if you'll ever be so instrumental that your unsaved loved one will find Jesus, or ever even want to? Better to choose in the Lord, of the Lord, that is, the will of God,- Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy mind body strength... -that place we always want to fill with a relationship is for the Spirit of God. Then you should see and love your husband or wife as a gift of God, who loves you more- thats how. How did Hosea the prophet prove it to put God first?
I think you are reading entirely too much into the photo. As the Webmaster, it was I who posted this particular photo with this particular article. My time is stretched and finding appropriate royalty free photos is not always easy. The color was REPRESENTATIVE only and has nothing whatsoever to do with race! That fact did not even enter my mind until you brought it up. We were not trying to make a statement with the picture, and have never spoken against people of different races marrying. The ONLY thing this is representative of is a Christian marrying a non-Christian PERIOD!
hlygstfld,If you would in your great wisdom care to read this passage in context vs 14-18 you will see what is being taught here, we are not to be united or yoked with unbelievers, it is the same as Israel, they were not to make treaties or covenants with the nations around them, but if you want to snuggle up to the world go ahead. As for the passage in 1 cor you quoted your not even close to correct, you may want to do more studying and find out which spirit you are listening to, its not the Holy Spirit.
T
Whose context are you referring to yours, the religous organization you learned from or your feelings. Now respond to this more clearly the scripture I referred to says what it says. The Natural Man does not recieve the things of the spirit of God because they are foolishness to him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. So studying in the infinite wisdom that you obviously got from man is very intresting, Greek Hebrew and english is definitly form man so study in the Holy ghost and you will see the context he desires. Also the scriptures in 2 corinthians chapter 6 asks questions and yet does not answer them why in your wisdom do you put answers there?
This will be my last reply on this subject seeing as this is not the forum for an ongoing teaching for you to be able to understand scripture in context. vs 14 begins this text with a command "be not unequally yoked" paul then goes on to show the reason why we should not be joined with the world or the religeous systems of the world, by him asking the questions he is showing why we are not to be yoked with the world. As for you listening to the Holy Spirit it is not happening, no matter if you were told that you were filled with the Spirit from the age of 5 or not, you are not hearing from the Holy Spirit, but from another spirit that is leading you astray.
Well my statement of two negatives make a positive is true because you did not dispel this statement, so i can safely that from the english language it says, be equally yoked. Now the greek and the hebrew the greek and the hebrew, it is about time the people of God start studying the bible in the Holy Ghost. The bible clearly states in I corinthians chapter 2 verse 13 and 14 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's words teacheth( greek and Hebrew or english) but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man(greek, hebrew and english) recieveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: nether can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. So the arguement of greek and hebrew does not hold water because God is not Greek or Hebrew. Now you can try and translate the word of God anyway you want, but as for me I will listen to the true teacher, the Holy Ghost
Not to offend anyone, but a brief study in the english language tells us that this scripture, translated properly,is really saying be equally yoked together with unbelievers. The rule is two negatives make a positive. The not and the un- (not unequally) are two negative words. Following the rules of algebra two negatives together make a positive. Before allowing Pentecosted Denominationalism to force out understanding ask an english major if this is so. Also the questions posed in the same passage of scripture are as follows what has righteousness to do with unrighteousness, and what fellowship has light with darkness? Once again what someone else says about these question we follow to a tee.
But when the Holy Ghost responds, righteousness turns unrighteousness into righteousness, and light turns darkness into light. Thats what jesus did. He was equally yoked with unbelievers cause the physician doesn't go to the Well but to the sick. God Bless
You seem to forget that the new testament was written in greek not english go look at the same passage in the greek, we are not to be joined together with unbelievers in marriage or in the work of the lord
T
One can translate the bible to whatever fits their arguement yet the teachings of the Holy Ghost are greater than History, reseach, and menial studies of a dead language(greek, hebrew,english) the spiritual language that the Holy Ghost teaches is what the scriptures are translated by. Any other way is just what you think, what I think,what some minister thinks which does not matter. It is not what man thinks it is what God says.