Who you associate with are those whose personalities you reflect, name any several attributes of your close, personal friends and you will find those characteristic traits within yourself.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2nd Cor. 6:14)
There is no equal yoke for the wicked and the saved, their lives are not moving in the same direction as ours. At best, the one who has been born-again will remain stagnant, at the worst, which is the most common scenario, the one who is hid in Christ will be either coerced, deceived or forced to go the way of the wicked that he or she is yoked with.
Far too many have perceived that verse to be referencing business dealings, when in fact it is every relationship we hold.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9)
Herein is where many falter, and their walk with the Lord is greatly hindered, for this verse means also family and friends, near and far acquaintances, it means everyone in your life.
I personally believe that there are Scripture verses throughout the entirety of the Bible that state quite clearly that those who are born-again are not to marry the wicked, those still in darkness. And so, by interpretation, 1st Corinthians 7:16 refers to those who are saved after being married.
“For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?”
Somewhere in the recent past those who stand behind the pulpit decided that the congregations they are to lead in righteousness should deviate from the precepts of the words of God and told those in the pews that the best way to bring someone to the knowledge of God’s saving grace was to become their friend first.
I find nowhere in the Scriptures where this is taught.
Study the words of Paul in context with 1st Corinthians 9:22.
“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” and you will see there is no intention implied of producing a close, personal relationship with those in darkness and then introducing them to the truth.
The foundation of any friendship is truth, not acquiescing our foundation to the ways of this world and its truths. And here is that subtle trap, for to not be friendly is to not be Christlike, to be in the light means to go into the darkness.
I have never read or heard of a man of God who walked into the darkness and all around him received the light, but I have read countless accounts of those men who serve the Lord being slowly swallowed up by that darkness. Ministries destroyed, marriages collapsed, their witness for the Almighty decimated. All because they thought they should become friends with the wicked, unequally yoking themselves to darkness.
“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:” (2nd John 1:10)
Or the church, or in your circle of close, personal friends.
But that would seem rude, wouldn’t it? That would seem judgmental, and after all, if we do not get to know them first, it might seem too forward to bring up who it is you say you serve. But to give it a little time, invite them over to dinner, invite them into your house, spend some time with them, get to know them, and then, when it feels right, bring up that saving grace you profess to have.
Put that yoke on with them, see what happens. Go against the Word of God, see how that works for you.
