Finding the Right Spouse Lesson 2 — Authorized Sword Ministries

Breaking Free Part 2, Lesson 2: Equally Yoked

Key text: 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

Authorized Sword Ministries

Audio narrated with an AI voice. Read along below.

Hello, friend. Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here.

Where We Left Off

In Lesson One we saw that marriage is God's design. Today is Lesson Two. It's called "Equally Yoked: Why Faith Comes First."

Our Key Verse

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
— 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

What Is a Yoke?

A yoke is a wooden beam that joins two animals so they pull together. God's law even said not to yoke an ox and an ass together (Deuteronomy 22:10). Two different animals pull differently, and both struggle.

Paul's command in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is about believers not being joined with unbelievers. The verse speaks broadly, not only about marriage. As an application, marriage is the closest yoke there is, so the principle fits marriage most of all.

Can Two Walk Together?

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
— Amos 3:3 (KJV)

If one of you is walking toward God and the other is walking away, you will pull against each other every day.

"Only in the Lord"

Here Scripture speaks directly about marriage. Paul tells a widow she may remarry, with one condition.

"The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."
— 1 Corinthians 7:39 (KJV)

"Only in the Lord." A believer is to marry a believer. That's true for men and women alike.

Don't Plan on Changing Them

Some people marry hoping the other person will get saved later. Only God saves (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul's words to a believer already married to an unbeliever are not a plan for dating one:

"For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?"
— 1 Corinthians 7:16 (KJV)

Paul is saying you can't know. That's not a promise to build a marriage on.

Solomon's Warning

Solomon was the wisest king, but he married women who served other gods.

"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father."
— 1 Kings 11:4 (KJV)

More Than Saying "I'm a Christian"

Being equally yoked means more than a label. Look for real fruit. Jesus said:

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
— Matthew 7:20 (KJV)

Does this person love God's Word, pray, go to church, and live what they say?

Closing Thought

Faith comes first. A believer marries "only in the Lord." Next time, in Lesson Three, we'll look at what to look for in a godly man and a godly woman.

Let Us Pray

Lord, help us choose by Your Word and not by our feelings alone. Keep us from being unequally yoked. In Jesus' name, amen.

Next Lesson

Back to Courses