So you’re a Christian and you’re married to an unbeliever? What should you do?
Many people look to the scripture in 2 Corinthians that says, “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) for justification for why you shouldn’t marry or remain married to an unbeliever. However, no where in that scripture does it say spouse or anything about marriage.
Jesus commands us not to allow anyone or anything to come between a man and his wife. Paul said, if you’re married to an unbeliever and they want to stay with you, then you are obligated to remain married. If they choose to leave, then okay, they can go, but you are not to be the one to start divorce proceedings.
Why? Because if your spouse is an unbeliever, and you’re a Christian – you may be the only Christian they come in contact with. You’re the one who’s suppose to set the loving example. Your Christian light should shine so brightly that even your doubting spouse should be moved to wonder how you remain so positive and so loving in spite of everything. Eventually they’ll want to know about what it is that keeps you.
Wait for them to inquire.
- Don’t preach and don’t try to shove Christ down their throat.
- Don’t threaten to leave if they don’t accept Christ.
Even if your spouse has done something worthy of divorce – remember what Christ said about marriage. Yes, your unbelieving spouse needs to change, but you’re not the one who can do it. Only Christ can. If you rely on Christ for strength, through Him, you can do all things – that includes saving your marriage. It only takes one Christian to have a blessed Christian marriage.
- Forgive and let it go
- Start each day fresh – don’t rehash what you forgave yesterday
- End each day with a positive expression of love (hugs, kisses, words of encouragement, affirmations of your love)
- Remember that God loves your unbelieving spouse – who are you not to?
Related article: The Ultimate Divorce Buster
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Kiesha holds a Master of Arts in English, is a writing instructor and blog consultant.
Certainly I learned something new with this article. Now, I will practice some of the lessons I got from here and find out if it is applicable for me and for other Christians out there having problem with there husband or partner!
.-= melody@easter eggs basket´s last blog ..Contact Us =-.
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With Good anything in possible.the unbelieving spouse may indeed become the believing spouse in time.Give things time.
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@Christian – you are absolutely right. It’s an opportunity to fulfill your mission even in the home!
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I am sorry but I do not see where the scriptures say to remain with an unbelieving situation. Everyone on the planet knows that that you are affected by your environment . I am seeing lots of really nice gals hang onto to their unbelieving husbands in hopes of them being saved. The bible makes it clear For what know you, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? or how know you, O man, whether you shall save your wife?
Look what God had to do for Lot to get him out of an unbelieving situation. Go figure . Men and women should not be in an unhealthy relationship and unbelievers is that situation you should not be yoke to.
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Kiesha Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Hi Paul,
I must ask you to read 1 Corinthians 7:13 – that is the scripture that I was talking about – where Paul says that a believer must not divorce solely because someone is an unbeliever. It also DOES say that the unbeliever will be sanctified by the believer. This is not telling people to hang around in unhealthy relationships – just because someone is an unbeliever, doesn’t equate to abusive – you can have abusive believers. God wants us to work out our differences, not run away after every little rift.
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