DEVOTION – DAY 106

2 Corinthians 6:14 “Be Wise”

 

2 Cor.6:14 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

 

The apostle Paul wrote this verse to warn the church in Corinth to stop co-operating with false teachers. They may have been charming and persuasive in their arguments and teachings, but they would only lead them astray. Thus, Paul warned the Corinthians not to be yoked with these unbelievers who pretended to be one of them.

This verse is often used to advise or warn against a Christian who is serious about marrying a non-Christian. Just as a goat cannot be yoked to a buffalo, a Christian should not be yoked together with a non-Christian. Just as light cannot mix with darkness, righteousness cannot mix with wickedness. But this verse has a wider application to many issues that we may face today.

We have Christian friends in Singapore who were invited to a “wedding dinner” for a same sex couple. If they reject the invitation, they would disappoint and upset the couple. But if they accept the invitation and attend the dinner, it would show that they were supportive of a union between same sex that goes against what God says. And we have some Christian friends who were tempted to join a group of non-Christian yoga enthusiasts to learn yoga. Whilst the desire to learn yoga was for health reasons, these Christian friends have to be reminded that yoga had Hindu mystic roots and also involves meditation. And 3 years ago, we were asked whether we wanted to join a group of old non-Christian classmates on a leisurely walking holiday in Japan covering some scenic temples that had beautiful Japanese gardens. If we turn them down, we would be regarded as anti-social. But if we accept, our positions as Christians would cause some awkwardness as we stand by as others worship in these temples.

The above are just some examples of issues we face. But 2 Cor.6:14 is helpful to guide us to avoid being in unequally yoked situations. This does not mean we do not mix at all with non-Christians. We should mix with non-Christians to point them to Jesus but we must be wise enough to know when to draw the line and not end up being influenced or compromising the Bible’s teachings.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word that guides us in all situations. Help us to avoid any situation that goes against your Word and as we do so, may we be gracious about it, so that we may draw unbelievers to the Lord Jesus by our love and actions. In the name of the Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What are some “unequally yoked” situations or issues you have faced recently? How did you respond to them? Share.
  2. How should you now respond to these situations or issues in the light of this devotion?
  3. Why are unequally yoked situations or issues difficult for you to face? Discuss.