Is it sin to marry an unbeliever or just unwise?

[Living in the Light]

Don't think it's sin, but possibly unwise. What can I say? You love who you love....

 

[Avniel]

Don't think it's sin, but possibly unwise. What can I say? You love who you love....

Love is a choice

 

[briareos]

You can choose to act in a loving way, you choose to do things that are loving... you do not choose your hearts affection toward someone.

 

[Living in the Light]

Love is a choice

Disagree, are you saying love is an intellectual choice? Hmm???

 

[Forealzchola]

Acting out on that love is a choice.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Unwise, very Unwise..but to do what you know not to do..hmm-seems like splitting hairs..unwise as well.

 

[Bella Vita]

I would say both it is a commandment in the Bible for a reason because God knows what's best and he knows what is going to be the best for us. So going against that is a sin and it is unwise in the fact that it makes your life 10x harder. God gives us things to follow because he is trying to save us from ourselves.

I am so thankful I married another Christian someone I can talk to openly and honestly grow with spiritually. It is amazing I wouldn't trade it for the world I know so many people who didn't marry Christians and they fight all the time and struggle. Many even end up in divorce. =[

 

[tbogunro]

I know paul said we shouldn't be unequally yoked but wasn't that more advice than commandment? Because the ten commandments do not enforce this. also what about Ester and king xerses? or Joseph marrying the Pharoah's daughter? How could God bring them to those positions of power knowing they had to marry a non believer if it was sin for them to do so? Should Ester have refused to marry the king and thus forfeit her power to sway the king to help God's people?

Also if it was sin to be married to an unbeliever wouldn't Paul have said when you become a believer you must divorce your spouse or at least separate?

But divorce is sin - or is it? God allowed it in the old testament. Then again God allowing something doesn't necessarily mean it's not sin. David married several wives and had a bunch of concubines which was against the 10 commandment law of not committing adultery/fornicating and yet God allowed him to do that without saying anything. I'm sure God did not approve but he didn't specifically address it.

It's very confusing.

It's unwise and not a sin. I notice you're really focusing on what's sin (sin conscious) . I advice you to STOP bcuz honestly it's pointless and the irony is that by focusing on it you're sinning lol. So don't bother just know you CAN'T avoid sinning, but at the same time we are all FORGIVEN. To your question concerning multiple wives. I think it's not in God's plan to have that and each men did have that #1 wife lol. I think the reason the Bible doesn't talk much about it is the same reason I said above, these men of God BELIEVE, TRUSTED, and weren't sin conscious, which made them righteous in God's eyes. Since they weren't so sin conscious and did there sin sacrifices they where able to ENJOY God and HAVE his best for them. Think about if God counted EVERYBODY's sin against them....who would stand? It's the same with murder, stealing, rape etc multiple wives is a sin and it's what they did in their culture back then...this is why God says ALL have fall short! We sin pretty much daily and yet God doesn't condemn us...speaks of how GOOD He is to us

 

[Alive_Again]

You are asking for a lifetime of trials if you knowingly enter into a marriage with an unbeliever. It also stands to affect your walk with Him and you will miss the blessing of having someone walk with you in the direction you were intended to go.

It also causes a lot of sorrow if it ends, although this can be merciful in the long run. It's better to honor God by honoring His Word and not foolishly getting married to someone in darkness. God has someone special for you if you're not already married.

God's not into divorce either. Just have patience and realize that the enemy is pulling you to make bad decisions that will affect your entire lifetime.

One of the things God's into the most if when a believer asks Him what to do in the details of their life. Where His Word influences every aspect aspect of the choices they make. Ask Him to guide you strongly and not to let you make the wrong choice. You'll still have free will, but you can save yourself a lot of sorrow in this world by not rushing into this when the scripture clearly says not to.

I hate to see people sorrowful and we all ask for it sometimes. I pray you make the right choice.

 

[gracelandz]

Disagree, are you saying love is an intellectual choice? Hmm???

The selection chemistry no, but whether or not to enter into it - yes it can be.

If a married man (for example) and another woman fell mutually in love through unexpected circumstances that neither had initiated or planned. They can choose not to walk straight into an affair. They can choose to walk away out of love, knowing that continuing to pursue each other's affection would damage relationships and vows with both God and spouse/children.

 

[Emmy]

Dear proverbswisdom. Many people believe it is unwise, but if you truly love
a person and want to help and protect, you marry and ask God to lead you.
It will take much love on your part, but with Jesus on your side, and true love,
you will manage nicely. You will be doing God`s Will, and becoming a more loving person yourself. You will need many prayers to help you. May God bless you. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Aibrean]

Dear proverbswisdom. Many people believe it is unwise, but if you truly love
a person and want to help and protect, you marry and ask God to lead you.
It will take much love on your part, but with Jesus on your side, and true love,
you will manage nicely. You will be doing God`s Will, and becoming a more loving person yourself. You will need many prayers to help you. May God bless you. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

What you are saying, however, is not Christian advice. It's not Biblical. It's dangerous and can be damaging to your spiritual life and relationship with Christ. It is slapping the Word of God in His face. God will NOT bless a marriage that does not have him in the center! If you marry a believer, you can build each other up in each person's walk with Christ. If only one is a Christian, that person can be easily torn down.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Well for starters the bible does not specify if its a sin specifily to marry someone thats not a christian. However in my heart I feel it is a sin. Not to mention it can lead to a countless amount of issues.

Now in terms of different denominations, I don't know if its a sin per say to marry someone outside your denomination. Its just 100% unwise overall to marry someone who isn't a christian or is a different denomination.

I think often to many will marry someone who is not saved/different denomination because they feel God will change that person. I think its more of them "hoping" instead of them thinking things through. Sure, no doubt can change someone. But it doesn't mean it will happen. Your basically taking a chance when you do this.

Now about divorce. It confused me too since Paul says you can divorce if they cheat on you/turn away from God. But from bible studies I was taught divorce is wrong 100% no matter the reason and that Paul only let those people divorce because they kept on insisting for a reason to divorce. However we are not supposed to divorce at all.

That is my view though. I am getting married soon and refuse to even use the word divorce. I will not divorce no matter the what. I'd rather be safe in knowing I am making God happy then to divorce and find out later God did not want me to do that.

 

[seekingsister]

What do you think a new Christian who is already engaged to a non-Christian should do? Call off the wedding?

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

first, seek God about this - be led by His peace (Col 3:14, 15).

and if you haven't already told your fiancé about why you are a Christian and how easy it is to become one, do so.

do nothing until you've heard from God - even if you have to postpone the wedding.

step one is always hear from God; step two is launch out (Luke 8:22-26) - if you launch out first, your doubts may overcome you as you go through the storms on your way to the other side

 

[seekingsister]

first, seek God about this - be led by His peace (Col 3:14, 15).

and if you haven't already told your fiancé about why you are a Christian and how easy it is to become one, do so.

do nothing until you've heard from God - even if you have to postpone the wedding.

step one is always hear from God; step two is launch out (Luke 8:22-26) - if you launch out first, your doubts may overcome you as you go through the storms on your way to the other side

He knows I am a Christian. Even before I really returned to my faith we discussed raising children and he is supportive of our children being raised Christian. He even mentioned how happy he is that my church has such a great children's program and that it will be great when we have a family. We are also attending Christian pre-marital counselling.

My main issue with the view that Christians should not marry non-Christians is that I have seen many Christian marriages where one spouse falls away from faith - often ending in divorce. So marrying a Christian is not a guarantee that you will have a Christian marriage.

 

[briareos]

What you are saying, however, is not Christian advice. It's not Biblical. It's dangerous and can be damaging to your spiritual life and relationship with Christ. It is slapping the Word of God in His face. God will NOT bless a marriage that does not have him in the center! If you marry a believer, you can build each other up in each person's walk with Christ. If only one is a Christian, that person can be easily torn down.

can you give some sort of scripture, hopefully more than one that isn't vague... to support this string of accusations?

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

I know paul said we shouldn't be unequally yoked but wasn't that more advice than commandment? Because the ten commandments do not enforce this. also what about Ester and king xerses? or Joseph marrying the Pharoah's daughter? How could God bring them to those positions of power knowing they had to marry a non believer if it was sin for them to do so? Should Ester have refused to marry the king and thus forfeit her power to sway the king to help God's people?

Also if it was sin to be married to an unbeliever wouldn't Paul have said when you become a believer you must divorce your spouse or at least separate?

But divorce is sin - or is it? God allowed it in the old testament. Then again God allowing something doesn't necessarily mean it's not sin. David married several wives and had a bunch of concubines which was against the 10 commandment law of not committing adultery/fornicating and yet God allowed him to do that without saying anything. I'm sure God did not approve but he didn't specifically address it.

It's very confusing.

It is a sin and very unwise for a Christian to marry an Unbeliever. It is a direct command from God not to , and therefore a huge violation to do it.

Divorce is a sin, unless for the biblically justified reason of adultery or abandonment occuring within the marriage.

The greatest thing in a Christians life should be love, worship, and devotion to Christ --- youre going to get opposition from an Unbeleving Spouse in some form...usually big time ., and youll never be able to experience THE most important thing to you with a willful unbeleiving Spouse. God wont bless such a marriage ...not when he forbids it. Same with any other action God forbids.

 

[briareos]

Where is this commandment from God?

 

[Barricade24]

Interesting that you should mention this, there is an exact Bible verse for your topic. 1 Corinthians 7: 12-14 says if that a beliving man or woman is married to a man or woman that does not believe and they are willing to live together, they should NOT divorce. God still considers marriage sacred even if it is between a believe and non-believer.

However I will give my opinion as well, marrying an unbeliever can cause a problem in your work with God. So I would say personally, marriage between a believer an unbeliever should be avoided.