Yoked - How do you feel about unequally yoked relationships?

How do you feel about unequally yoked relationships?

I have to do a devotion for church and my topic is unequally yoked relationships. How do you guys feel about them? Do you have any life stories you would mind sharing? Do you know any stories in the Bible that have to do with enequally yoked relationships?

Public Comments

Buy more eggs, next time...
That I am not an ox and it does't apply to me

On a serious note, its about respect. I don't have to believe in the Christian god to respect those who follow him (in earnest) My husband is atheist and I totally respect that. More power to him.
no person should have a bondage or yoke around them

no control, no forced anything

it's religious gobbeldygoop leetspeak anyways

how about the prostitue and the prophet?

man, what an assignment from the lord
The real problem is how does God feel about unequally yoked relationships..
I have only seen it be a problem for ultra-religious freakazoids. Everyone else is fully capable of accepting that their partner will have some other ideas and interests.

If you feel you are unequally yoked, then you better just end it because YOU will make it impossible for the relationship to work. If you can compromise (as all couples will have to do), then it shouldn't be a problem.
Unless you are a plow animal then don't worry about it.
I am not totally against them, I just don't see how it could work.
The best place to look in the Bible regarding unequally yoked relationships, in my opinion, is the book of Ezra. I realize that's kind of a long read if you're just looking for a few verses --- but the book is basically *about* how after the Jews returned from Exile, they were convicted of having married people from the land where they were exiled who were not believers. Look at how they responded! They wept and repented. They even 'put away' their wives and husbands who didn't believe in the Lord. And their children! If that's not a strong statement on how the Lord feels about this issue, I don't know what is. All over the OT, the Lord talks about NOT intermarrying with 'other nations' --- and not because of racism, but because the Lord doesn't want a believer to be led away from Him because of an unbelieving spouse. To me, that's a great place to start.

Edit to add: I put my *own* story about the heartbreak that happens from this on here a few days ago, and am linking you to it. Looks like it has gone to vote, so go down to the 12th answer, it is the one that has 'been there' in the source.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoxXd1me..X0iYAfvZ8cSzTty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071104214505AAkiU70&show=7#profile-info-gTOcip84aa
From what I have seen and read about, It wont work out. One will be pulling in one direction and the other in the opposite direction. The non-christian may cause the other to sin, Gods blessings will not be poured out on you and it will eventually cause problems.
WOW..... The story of my life..... believe the Bible when it says to stay away from such relationships..... a person NEVER wins in such a relationship..... I am a living testimony of this......

I would love to go into details right now...however, I am at work and my boss keeps interrupting me while i'm on here answering questions....THE NERVE OF HIM!
They are disaster waiting to happen. That is why the bible admonishes a believer not to be yoked with an unbeliever. I have seen women in my bible study whose lives are full of sorrow because their husband is actually hostile to the things of God.

I caution all young Christian women to be exceedingly careful; don't think you can "change" anyone!
It depends on the people involved.

I am an atheist and my wife is christian.We have just celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary and are very very happy.

I respect her beliefs and she repects mine.
Esau chose to marry Canaanite women (strangers to the blessing of Abraham) and subject to the curse of Noah. It grieved his parents that he married without their advice and consent. It grieved them that he married among those who had no religion.

Solomon had 700 wives but if you can get past the obvious 'no no' which was having SO MANY, was that they were

"strange women, besides the daughter of Pharaoh...of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them...for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love...and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart" (1 Kings 11:1-4).

The most poignant thing about marrying someone without your belief system is the fact that they are the closest and strongest influence to pull you away from God. Therein lies the problem with unequally yoked relationships.
You should allow e-mail as this is a little limited to put many stories of unequally yoked relationships. But the stories are many..

I knew a woman that is a Christian and marrying a non christian and as she was coming down the stairs the Lord spoke to her to not marry the man. She responded "but I love him" They married and needless to say the marriage didn't last .
I am what some would refer to as a Christian Witch. My faith is very strong and I practice it often. My husband is on the fence somewhere between Atheist and Agnostic (it would depend on the mood in which you catch him as to his answer) Our relationship is one of mutual respect and admiration. I often buy books and movies for him related to his chosen path and he even catches rainwater for my ritual use. Of course I hope to impact him by my behavior and lifestyle as I'm sure he does as well. Neither of us though, would ever try to "convert" the other. I love him just the way he is. His intellect, logic and reasoning are a few of the things that originally attracted me to him. As were my steadfast hold of my beliefs and my intellect some of the reasons he was drawn to me. I can't speak for everyone, but for us, it works.

Brightest Blessings
Solomon married a gentile woman, and because of that he broke the Lord commandment of not worshiping other gods. That is something really serious. Unequally yoked meant to drive uphill on a bike.