“Do not be UNEQUALLY YOKED (an “unequally yoked” team one weaker and one stronger. The weaker ox would walk more slowly causing the load to go around in circles.) together with unbelievers…What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil…Therefore, COME OUT FROM AMONG UNBELIEVERS, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” (2 Corin. 6:14-18) We are instructed to “Go into ALL THE WORLD and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) To be “yoked” is to be attached or connected. So, we are instructed to go preach and teach but do not be yoked with unbelievers! Why is that? Let’s look at Solomon…
Solomon was the biblical king (King David’s son), most famous for his wisdom. God asked Solomon what he desired most and Solomon said “a wise and understanding heart” God said, “behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has NOT BEEN ANYONE LIKE YOU BEFORE YOU, nor shall any like you arise AFTER YOU.” (1 Kings 3:12) People would come from all over to see and hear Solomon’s wisdom. So, just how did Solomon do?
Solomon became “yoked” with many unbelievers, “…King Solomon loved many foreign women, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites— from the nations of whom the LORD had said, “YOU SHALL NOT INTERMARRY WITH THEM…SURELY THEY WILL TURN AWAY YOUR HEARTS AFTER THEIR GODS.” Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives TURNED AWAY HIS HEART. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives TURNED HIS HEART after OTHER GODS; and his heart was NOT LOYAL TO THE LORD his God…” (1 Kings 11:1-5)
“…you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD…(Jude 1:20-21)
-Bill Stockham