The Results of Being Unequally Yoked

2 Corinthians 6:14–“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness.” (ESV)

Fall is an amazing time of the year. All of the beautiful colors, the cooling temperatures and the preparations of putting things to rest. It is also a time when we start to think of the upcoming year, goal planning and budgeting. Some of which are not the most exciting topics.

I have an amazing broker that is always giving words of encouragement, thoughts and challenging each of us to be the best version of ourselves. We will soon be doing our annual goal planning for the upcoming year, so we are deep in the trenches of encouraging words from her. One topic we often bounce back to is that the people that you spend the most time with are a reflection of who you are. Are they positive people? Or are they negative people? Do they lift you up and encourage you or do they bring you down? Our interactions with them certainly impacts our outcome.

Today as I read 2 Corinthians it gave me a reason to pause and ask myself if I am unequally yoked in areas of my life. God instructs us to not be with unbelievers as they think and live differently than we do. Just as in Deuteronomy 22:10 says not to plow an ox with a donkey as they will do two different things. However being equally yoked applies to all areas of our life, not just believing. If we are not equally yoked, are we glorifying everything to him in our fullest potential?

As you look at the areas of your life whether it be family, work, budgeting, goal setting and more, are you equally yoked or unequally yoked? If we are unequally yoked, do we close the door to allow God to show us the way and keep him from doing his full work in us and us for him? Some family can bring you down….so spend less time with them. Co-workers can be negative and unsupportive…you may need to look for a different workplace or change your mindset when you are there. Budgets are often not equal to our income…you need to learn to live with less and glorify God with what you have.

In the last couple of weeks of reflecting, I have found areas of my life that are unequally yoked. I haven’t been letting God do the work in me because my focus has easily been led in the wrong direction. Matthew 6:33 reads “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Each day is a new day to determine where you are yoked. Take a moment to reflect and pray to God for direction in all you do.

Contributed by Jessica Clemens