II Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? “

UNEQUALLY YOKED

There is nothing wrong with having nonbelievers as friends. That is NOT what this verse is saying. We must reach out to the lost and lead them toward our Savior. What Paul IS saying is we should not partner with them or work with them on anything that goes against our values as believers. The words “bound together” are really one Greek word (heterozugeó) that means unequally yoked. Do you get the picture? That is pretty plain!

TEACHING MOMENT

So how do we teach our children this principle without them thinking we are suppose to stay to ourselves and avoid all contact with the world? Simple, we show them. Unfortunately, we believers are sometimes so involved in our churches that we do not even think about looking around for unbelievers to influence for the Gospel.

We are protected by the Holy Spirit and as long as we stay true to Christ in our beliefs, there is NOTHING an unbeliever can say or do that can lead us astray. We are insulated by the protective hands of the Father. But we cannot isolate ourselves in our little Christian world and watch as the rest of the world dies in their sins.

Little Johnny or Susie may make friends at school or on a ball team who are not believers. That is great! Use those friendships to show them how to love those families in Christ. Use those friendships to invite those children to your home where they will be exposed to godly principles and values.

In essence, you are shaping your children to be more and more like Christ by reaching out to those who need the Physician the most. We have the cure for the lost. It’s Jesus! Don’t keep it to yourself. But as you reach out, make sure you are staying close and true to Him. He will protect you and lead you.