Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 6:14
This is a very well-known verse among believers, especially when it comes to marriage.
What many don’t realize is that it applies to ALL relationships.
And most don’t realize that there’s a lot more to that scripture.
A LOT more.
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
17 Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”
There’s a reason that scripture warns us about being unequally yoked with unbelievers.
Think about it. If you wipe a dirty window with a clean cloth, the cloth’s cleanness isn’t going to jump onto the window yet leave the cloth pristine.
No, that cloth is going to get dirty.
Intimate relationships that are unequally yoked are no different.
Sooner or later, the cultures are going to collide.
It feeds a vicious cycle. They try to draw you back into the world (usually not a conscious effort), and you respond (because you love them). Each time you slip a little easier and go a little deeper in the world, stay a little longer, and the lines get blurred a little more.
The serpent was the most subtle beast in the field.
Genesis 3:1 warns that the serpent was the most subtle beast in the field. The devices of satan are subtle and usually look like the things (and people) we love and cherish. Sometimes they even look like believers or those who are seeking biblical truth.
Sometimes they look like people we desperately want to win over to Yehovah. And this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t witness to them, share the gospel with them. It just means that your intimacy should be reserved for other like minded believers.
Your association and relationship with unbelievers eventually and inevitably will put you at a crossroads. Do you compromise “just this once” and skip a prayer time, miss a Sabbath service, or tell a “little” lie, or do you say “No” and face rejection?
Sometimes, though, it isn’t that obvious.
Sometimes it’s a sneaky slippery slope that you don’t realize you are on until you look back and realize you’ve backslidden.
One missed service turns into two, then more and more. Each time it gets a little easier.
Sabbath service, the gathering of believers, is grounding. It is more than just a Bible lesson; it forges relationships, increases your spiritual growth, and deepens your relationship with Yehovah. Each time that you show up for those appointments that you have with Him increases your faithfulness and devotion.
But there are people that satan will put in your life to cause rifts in that holy relationship with Yehovah.
These people usually don’t even realize that they are being used, but because they are not submitted to the Holy Spirit and walking in obedience to scripture, they are empty vessels that satan can use.
Thing is, they don’t look devious or destructive. They usually look like a good friend or a trusted family member. But that is the genius of the demonic assignment – it is so subtle that you may not recognize it until you are way down the road.
What are some marks of a demonic assignment in your life? How do you recognize them?
They don’t respect your commitment to scripture. Do they visit, call, or text right before you go to Sabbath service, your designated prayer time, or a scheduled Bible study or during those times? Do they conveniently “forget” that you have these scheduled times with Yehovah? Do they get angry with you if you don’t give them your time (while taking it away from Yehovah)?
They use rage bait to get under your skin and incite anger. They say things or post things online that are contrary to scripture and use subversive language that indicates your decision to walk in biblical truth is in error. They often blatantly reject Yehovah’s law, the Sabbath, the Feast Days, Acts 2:38 salvation, and oneness. They don’t name you directly, but it is obvious that they are talking about you. They say that those things are not necessary and may go so far as to say you are cursing yourself if you obey them.
They try to erode your faith. Do they try to talk you out of adhering to scripture? Do they tell you it isn’t necessary? Do they mock you or make jokes about your devotion to Yehovah? Do they try to convince you of beliefs that are blatantly unbiblical (like you’re sick because you don’t have enough faith) in such a way that it starts to sound plausible? You may not even realize that it’s happening, you’ll just notice that doubt and unbelief start creeping in.
They make you choose between them and Yehovah. Usually this isn’t obvious, just subtle things that require little choices. They are trying to destroy your foundation one stone at a time. Often you won’t notice it until you realize you feel that Yehovah feels far away.
These are some of the most common tactics, but you may experience something different. One thing about satan, he tailors his attacks to the believer.
Point is, if you feel like something is off with someone, it probably is. This is especially true if you are submitted to the Holy Spirit. When you get alarms in your spirit, pay attention.
And if your knee-jerk reaction is denial, especially if it is without reflection and prayer, that’s a very good indication that you are under the influence of demonic oppression. It doesn’t want you to separate yourself from that demonic assignment. It doesn’t want you to recognize it or see it for what it is.
It wants you blissfully ignorant.
But ignorance is not bliss, it is unholy – and spiritually dangerous.
You realize you have a demonic assignment in your life. What do you do now?
There are some serious spiritual dangers that come from being equally yoked. It can draw you back into the world or worse, it can cause you to separate from Yehovah by bringing compromise into your life.
You have to decide whether you are going to sever the relationship or take a step back. Not everyone who comes into your life is YOUR calling.
Sometimes, their entire intention is demonic. Some people are demonic assignments from the start. That doesn’t mean they are a lost cause. It just means you have to be careful and choose Yehovah over them again and again – without fail.
Learn to say NO. When they want you to skip Sabbath to do something with them, the answer is NO. You can suggest an alternate time, but don’t give in.
Each time you choose THEM over YEHOVAH, you are opening a door for the enemy to wreak havoc in your life.
Yes, they want you to break Sabbath to do something with them, and in doing so you are cursing yourself. And satan sees that as an open door for attack and demonic influence. After all, how committed can you possibly be if you can drop it so quickly for a little pleasure of the flesh? This is especially critical when it’s habitual.
Same goes for your Bible study, prayer, and so on.
This is a life of COMMITMENT, not CONVENIENCE. These times are important and each time you break them you are eroding your commitment which in turn erodes the relationship with Yehovah.
That is the harsh reality of dealing with demonic assignments. They are disguised as your friends and family, but what is operating beneath does NOT have your best interests at heart.
It wants you separated from Yehovah. It wants your relationship with Him damaged. It wants your destruction and despair.
So, if you are feeling depressed, anxious, frustrated, alone, despondent, or hopeless, look around at the company you are keeping.
Are you unequally yoked with unbelievers?
They just may be demonic assignments.
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