Unequally yoked - an open letter/eisegesis

[wonder111]

the way I see it, the bible say that the truth is written on our hearts and in our conscience. (Recently reading 'eternity in their hearts' by Don Richardson has really changed my views on how God leads all people)

I think you can probably find the odd case where a non-Christian is more closely following the truth written on their heart, than a professing Christian who is living against God (a wolf in sheeps clothing) two Christians can also be unequally yoked, and yes, I think God does work in mysterious ways, I know this from my own experience, and if He is truly calling someone to another person, I would pray hard about it, and trust God to give you the answer

 

[wonder111]

double post

 

[WashedClean]

two Christians can also be unequally yoked

I think I know what you mean by this, but don't want to put words in your mouth. Could you expand on this please?

Thank you,

WashedClean

 

[wonder111]

well, my friend just got out of a relationship with a man who said he was Christian, but she warned me to test the fruits first. Let's just say he was anything but.

Some people truly have the love of God in them, and some people might be church goers and legalists but not have a real relationship with God. Even the demons believe

 

[WashedClean]

well, my friend just got out of a relationship with a man who said he was Christian, but she warned me to test the fruits first. Let's just say he was anything but.

Some people truly have the love of God in them, and some people might be church goers and legalists but not have a real relationship with God. Even the demons believe

Thanks Wonder111. I'm glad I asked you to clarify because I thought you meant something else.

Two Christians can be in very different places in their walk with God. One may be very new or immature in Christ, while another may have been a Christian for years and have seen God work miracles in their life. In some ways, this can be unequally yoked, not Biblically speaking, but practically.

The case you're describing is unequally yoked. One Christian and one non-Christian. It doesn't matter what someone claims, or even believes themselves to be. They are either born again, or they're not. Herein lies the difference.

God Bless,

WashedClean

 

[wonder111]

Two Christians can be in very different places in their walk with God. One may be very new or immature in Christ, while another may have been a Christian for years and have seen God work miracles in their life. In some ways, this can be unequally yoked, not Biblically speaking, but practically.

ya, that too. That can definitely be unequally yoked

 

[Abiel]

Despite your wish to "minister" on this board, I'm afraid it really doesn't apply to you! How can you possibly "minister" to Christians married to non-Christians when you are (a) not married and (b) going out with a Christian girlfriend?

You have absolutely no idea what it is like being married to a non-Christian, except possibly at second hand, which is no good, as you cannot know what is going on inside a person, and I am absolutely certain that you cannot understand the hell of a bad marriage with a non-Christian.

Please don't try and tell me you can "minister" to us. I would feel insulted.

Maccie

Perhaps the fact that drfeelgood started this thread qualifies him. As a christian married to a non-christian who is practically perfect in every way, including the fact that it is only because of his support that i am un backslidden, I can only thank him for his thoughtful study. Having read other threads, I was beginning to feel bad that thing were so good! Given my back slidden state when we met, I can only thank God for his providential care of me in this respect. I believe he brought us together, and I believe he is already eternally saved...it will happen in God's time.

 

[Maccie]

drfeelgood explained his qualifications for this thread. I apologised. I see no reason for bringing up that point again.

If you are married to the perfect man, you are very unusual. Please spare a thought for those of us who became Christians long, long after we were married, and whose husbands remain hostile to our faith.

 

[Abiel]

If you are married to the perfect man, you are very unusual. Please spare a thought for those of us who became Christians long, long after we were married, and whose husbands remain hostile to our faith.

I didn't say he was perfect. But I do tire of being made to feel there is something wrong, because he respects and supports it. The inference I often encounter is that I can't be 'doing Christianity' correctly, because he sees no need to be abusive of me and/or my faith.

I do not need to 'spare a thought'. Many of the ladies I minister to are in the same position as you, and supporting them is my bread and butter. They are constantly in my prayers. Also the ladies in Christian marriages which are abusive- often they are even more desparate.

 

[Treasure the Questions]

Paul, then, is quite literally forbidding the Christians to join ranks with the idolaters in the temple of Aphrodite. They are forbidden to participate in the ceremonies, and as such sexual relations with the temple harlots. It has nothing to do with marriage to an unbeliever.

I don't think it takes much imagination to realise that fro a Christian to marry a non-Christian will increase tensions in the marriage in most cases. As Maccie has stated, and I know from my own experience, there is a conflict of interests for a start. However, after talking to many Christian women who have married Christian men, I also know that marrying a Christian does not mean you will have the ideal mate, either.

I think the passages drfeelgood quotes should make us all think twice before entering into any close relationship with a non-Christian, whether for marriage, business or anything else. However, following Christ is an individual matter to a certain extent, and when making such choices we should also be guided by how the Holy Spirit is leading us. If we decide to take risks, and following Christ is about taking risks, we must also be prepared to accept the consequences. But life is unpredictable, so even when we play it safe things may not work out as we expected. So maybe the most important part of being a Christian is to walk humbly with our God, accepting what life throws at us as best we can, with Jesus there to help us through it all.

Karin

 

[Treasure the Questions]

I didn't say he was perfect. But I do tire of being made to feel there is something wrong, because he respects and supports it. The inference I often encounter is that I can't be 'doing Christianity' correctly, because he sees no need to be abusive of me and/or my faith.

I do not need to 'spare a thought'. Many of the ladies I minister to are in the same position as you, and supporting them is my bread and butter. They are constantly in my prayers. Also the ladies in Christian marriages which are abusive- often they are even more desparate.

I'm sure Maccie wasn't suggesting for a moment that there is something wrong because your husband respects and supports your faith, Abiel. It sounds like you are a very lucky woman.

I think Maccie's point was that just because you are so fortunate, others of us are not. Many Christian women struggle in marriages to non-Christian men and not necessarily because they are doing anything wrong either. I have seen some women who feel they must speak to their husbands often about Christ and introduce changes into their household because of their new found faith. Such insensitive enthusiasm, while quite normal in new converts, could well cause problems in a marriage and is something I would heartily discourage. It is important to be sensitive to one's spouse. Perhaps you are, Abiel, and this is why things work so well for you.

My husband has become much more understanding of my faith in recent years, and our problems are mostly unrelated to it these days. Perhaps if he were a Christian he would change for the better, but I know too many women with Christian husbands whose faith seems to impact very little on their lives to be sure that is true.

Karin

 

[Maccie]

You have expressed it so well, Karin!

I think I would advise any Christian contemplating marrying a non-Christian to think very, very carefully first. Will they be totally supportive of you? Will they join in social and other events? Will they get uptight if they think people are trying to "convert" them. Will you be able to have time to yourself to pray, read the Bible, meditate or whatever? And if they are from another faith, which they hold strongly, these problems will multiply a thousandfold.

I find my own problems, having become a Christian long after I was married, are mainly on the fellowship and social side. I can get to church, once a day, and to a Home Group one evening a week. But social events are out. My husband does not want to accompany me, and I feel awkward going on my own - partly because the church is a very "couple-based" church and partly because I know he will be at home resenting me enjoying myself without him! Weekends, such as church weekends, away are a no-no. And that's before all the normal stresses and strains of marriage, let alone those of a difficult marriage.

And getting to discuss with any other Christian the spiritual difficulties, the doubts and confusions we all have - well, forget it. Being retired, he is here all the time! It isn't counselling I need - its space!

Maccie