Marriage is created by God, not by people. It’s supposed to represent His covenant with the church. So, what happens when two people enter this sacred union holding different beliefs? Is it even okay to marry an unbeliever? And finally, does God bless unequally yoked marriages?
Let’s explore this topic and answer all of these questions once and for all, shall we?
What IS an Unequally Yoked Marriage?
This term comes from 2 Corinthians 6:14, where Paul writes: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?“.
In ancient times, a yoke was a wooden bar that joined two animals in working together (yes, I needed to Google that ;)). If the animals showed different levels of strength or were simply “not compatible”, work wouldn’t be done well. This metaphor represents the struggle when a Christ-follower and a non-believer get married.
Don’t get it wrong – Paul is not discouraging us to interact with non-believers at all. I would say, on the contrary, we should show them the light of Jesus. But specifically, Paul talks about the partnership that requires unity, and a person either follows Christ or doesn’t. There isn’t anything in between, and God clearly warns us about the lukewarm stage.
But What If They Are a Good Person?
That question is usually coming out of a place of desperate hope – when you are really in love, you just want to hear “Oh, then it’s all right”, even if the Bible cannot be clearer that being a “good” person does not equal spouse material. Don’t get me wrong – qualities such as kindness, soft-spokenness, and gentleness are a gift!
But also, let’s not forget Mark 10:18 that says: “No one is good—except God alone.”
Wordly goodness usually has a hook like “I’ll be good so the karma rewards me”, “I’ll be kind so the world is kind to me too,” or “I’ll treat you the way I want to be treated”. True, deeply rooted love comes only from God. It’s through Jesus’ sacrifice that we are made righteous, so naturally, a person who did not accept this sacrifice is still in the darkness. Even if they are the kindest person ever!
As for followers of Christ, our lives are centred around serving Him. If your spouse does not share these values, sooner or later you’ll find yourselves walking in opposite directions. Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?”. Marriage is more than a companionship; it’s sanctification, it’s growing closer to God, it’s representing Him.
Does God Bless Unequally Yoked Marriages?
Let’s be clear – we cannot deserve God’s blessing, nor His grace. His kindness is not limited to us obeying only – even when we fall and crumble, He is there for us.
However, if you know God is against unequally yoked marriages and still decide to step into one, the question is, rather, do you really cherish Jesus above all? There is no condemnation in this question. It’s just wise to understand that God wants good for us. And one of the good things is a marriage based on His strong foundation.
Because let’s be honest, marriage with an unbeliever can make it hard to experience God’s purpose for marriage fully. The ideal is a man and a woman united in each other, and in Him. Without it, there will be a spiritual disconnect that can harm you, your marriage, and your relationship with God.
What If You’re Already Married?
Of course, there are situations when one spouse comes to Christ, and the other doesn’t. Or simply, there was a misjudgment or something. In this case, don’t lose hope. 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 offers encouragement:
“If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband.”
Beautiful passage! If you want to know more and see if a Christian wife can save her husband, check this article.
But yeah, God can still work in such a marriage and even bring your spouse to Him through you. At the same time, it is not wise to step into a marriage with an unbeliever, hoping it will happen. There is a difference between praying for God to change the situation vs pure disobedience.
Practical Tips for Unequally Yoked Marriages:
If you still wonder: Does God bless unequally yoked marriages? Here are some steps to follow that can bring your marriage a blessing:
- Pray without ceasing – keep your spouse and their salvation in your prayer. Because “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16). Learn more about prayer here.
- Live out your faith – actions often speak louder than words. Make sure to show your spouse Jesus with the way you treat them.
- Seek community – find Christian fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ who can pray for you, encourage and guide you.
Does God Bless Unequally Yoked Marriages? Conclusion
Yes, He does! He blesses, blesses, and never stops blessing those who put their trust in Him. Of course, it is much beneficial and simply better for everyone to be married to Christians (not only pseudo Christians, I mean true, devoted followers of Christ), but sometimes life is not that simple.
Whatever your situation is, God can turn it around. He rewrites even the worst stories, I’m the living proof of that! Never lose hope, and keep on seeking the Lord.
At the end, let me virtually bless you, my friend:
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)