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Question: Should a Christian marry a non-Christian?
“Do Not Be Unequally Yoked”
Answer: Loyalty to God must come before all other loyalties, and no course should be taken in which God is not glorified. Paul writes, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God” ( 2 Corinthians 6:14–16). The principle given here is also clear in other references in the Scriptures (Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7:1–3; Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:10; Philippians 4:3).
Reasons Why a Christian Should Not Marry a Non-Christian:
1-Fellowship with a non-Christian or nominal Christian, would conflict with the carrying out of the instructions to be “separate,” to be a “peculiar people,” and not to be “conformed to this world” as stated in 2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Peter 2:9 and Romans 12:2. Separateness from sin and sinners is clearly taught in the Scriptures (Leviticus 20:24; Numbers 6:3; Hebrews 7:26; etc.).
Sanctification includes both an external separation from all the unholy ways of this age and an inward change of the believer himself. The New Testament describes this change as a new birth (John 3:3), a resurrection (Romans 6:4,11,13), a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15).
2-There could be no real understanding and sympathy with one whose way of life, especially in the most important things, is so directly opposed to the faith of the Bible. The prophet Amos wrote, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?“ (Amos 3:3). Companionship should be built on mutual harmony of mind and soul. Two people must go in the same path and have the same goals if they are to walk “together.
3-Living with a person whose daily life displays poor respect for, and appreciation of, the genuine message of the gospel might lead a partner to losing her/his Christian path and straying away from true faith in the message and standards of the Lord.
Fellowship With the Ungodly
The apostle Paul taught, “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Association with those who believe in falsehood, or whose lives are ungodly, has a way to corrupt the faith and principles of Christians. By daily fellowship with those who don’t love the Lord, the believers would likely lose their clear vision of the truth. Familiarity with error tends to belittle objection to it. For this reason, the Lord has always counseled His people to separate themselves from close fellowship with unbelievers (Genesis 12:1–3; Exodus 3:9, 10; Isaiah 52:11; Revelation 18:4).
The marriage of a Christian to a non-Christian is one of the most successful methods of destroying the happiness of God’s people, the devil does his utmost to convince believers to steer away from the good advice and to follow their unsanctified feelings, thus causing them experiences that may lead to lifelong pain and eternal loss.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
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