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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
To understand this admonition fully we should define what it means to be yoked. Webster defines it as: A pair, harnessed together – to fulfill a job; the yoke being a farming apparatus that fits over the animals necks that combines their strength to accomplish a goal. A condition of being under control. Who's? He who puts the yoke in place, they no longer choosing their separate ways but being directed – through the yoke – to a single purpose. Being united or bound; uniting for a common purpose or bound to a cause.
A precondition for yoking animals is that they need to be temperamentally and physically compatible. Thus Deuteronomy 22:10, "Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together." The reasoning behind this injunction being self-evident, but Middle Eastern people often overstate the obvious to emphasize a deeper, "hidden" truth. Besides being unfair to the ox in it's having to bear the bulk of the load as well as to the donkey which couldn't hope to match it's abilities, there may be a message about mismatching people as well.
This scripture is typically used as a caution against young people of faith marrying unbelievers or becoming involved with those of marginal involvement in church. There's a reason for that. Both Testaments deal extensively with the need for us to be separated from evil influences, but the Old Testament deals more specifically with the injunction against believers intermarrying with unbelievers or with those of other faiths. "Do not inter-marry with them… for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord's anger will burn against you…" Deuteronomy 7:3 But we don't have "other gods" anymore, or do we? Careers, houses, cars, loved ones, comfort and entertainment; anything and anyone that takes precedence over God in your life being an "idol", a distraction from the one true God. We are not to expose ourselves on such a personal level to unbelief or conflict of interest – the danger being obvious! (Even if we do convince ourselves we can change them before they change us.) Scripture illustrates how what we often consider "innocent" exposure progresses in our lives, continuing to use interpersonal relationships as an example. "Be careful not to make a treaty (a pact of understanding and tolerance – if not outright cooperation) with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you (passive involvement) and you will eat their sacrifices. And when you choose (now active participation) some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same." Exodus 34:15
We are to be holy, not perfect but different; always striving to be better, more of what Christ would have us be – more like him. Those outside the faith may be good in many ways but cannot be holy outside a relationship with him who defines holiness. Disobedience merits God's wrath. (Romans 2:8) "Therefore do not be partners with them." Ephesians 5:3-7 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life." Proverbs 4:23 And we do that by limiting our exposure to sin and it's temptations, to the influence evil can and will exert on our lives if we routinely spend time in it's presence. "For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14b (See also Matthew 5:14 and John 3:19)
Are we then to shun all unbelievers, having nothing to do with those not of the church? Where would our witness be? Do we refrain from any involvement in an unbeliever's life? What worth would our lives have if not invested in those we seek to influence for good? We must be involved – but not to the point of participation nor can we merely enable others to continue in ungodly behavior. Paul, who declared, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22; also realized the danger of an overly intimate relationship with unbelievers and noted that, "Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33 At times we have no choice but to, "…come out from them and be separate,…" 2 Corinthians 6:17 This scripture does not exclude all relationships and friendships with unchurched people. It does however, strongly caution against intimate relationships with people who do not – will not – heed the teachings of Christ and persistently engage in unchristian behavior. One or the other will dominate any relationship. Like the light and darkness of 2 Corinthians 6:14 – one always cancels out the other. They cannot co-exist!
Paul worked tirelessly among unbelievers, yet guarded himself from the destructive influence association with unresponsive people could have. For in response to our own sin natures, we often are tempted to wink at sin in others – to excuse it in those we are acquainted with – if not actively engage in it with them. But we must not. I would advise as well that there are things you may better deal with after some growth and maturing occur – both in faith and age – that might be unadvisable and even dangerous now; we often desiring to "help" those people who are struggling with the same things we are. Immerse yourself in the word – bathe yourself in prayer, seek Godly counsel and exercise caution.
Our needs, desires and goals may be similar to unbelievers but the way we go about accomplishing those goals and fulfilling those desires should be demonstrably different. Your vision, of who you are and of the world about you should be enlightened by the word of God, enabling you to see the world as it really is and responding to its needs appropriately. That's why we need to guard what we expose ourselves to and use to base our decisions on. Realistically, "What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" 2 Corinthians 6:15
If we are to be yoked to anything – let it be with Christ. His plan, his will for life may at times challenge us but will be more easily handled when we are joined to him and fellow-believers in response to his call to, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…" Matthew 11:29
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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