Last time, we concluded the post by posing an important question: ‘Why is it so crucial for a married couple to share a common faith?’

I’m sure you read the previous post, but if not, feel free to go back and catch up before continuing with this one. We are currently going through a series called ‘Marriage is Spiritual.’ Without exaggeration, I have been uniquely blessed and deeply touched by the truths of God revealed in this series. I hope and pray that you are experiencing the same.

So, why is it important for a married couple to share a common faith? Is it simply one of those things we categorize as ‘you must’ or ‘you should’? Are there any alternatives, like finding a middle ground that works for both of them? For instance, what if a couple simply believes in a Creator and agrees not to be atheists—wouldn’t that be enough?

Christianity is not merely about believing in a Creator; it is an intimate love relationship between a Christian and the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for sinners. This relationship is guided by the Word of God. The Bible, as the ultimate and sole authority in a Christian’s life, directs how a believer should live in communion with Christ. When Scripture says, ‘Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers,’ the only right and safe response for a Christian is to say, ‘Yes, my Lord.’ Why? Because the Word of God is the ultimate authority that provides guidance for navigating life with Christ—there is no other.

If someone says, ‘Well, in my unique situation, this verse doesn’t apply to me. You see, my boyfriend and I love each other deeply, and although we knew it was against God’s Word, we’ve already slept together. We confessed our sin, and God has forgiven us. On top of that, a prophet even prophesied over us, saying, “God says, go ahead and get married. Do not be confused by what others are telling you. Even though my Word says, ‘Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers,’ your story is unique, and I will make an exception.”

We should be deeply thankful that God is unchanging and that His Word remains constant, regardless of our circumstances. Our unique experiences and situations cannot alter what God’s Word originally says. To twist Scripture to fit our preferences or unique situations is a dangerous path. In doing so, we are essentially saying to God, ‘Yes, Your Word says I should not marry an unbeliever, but I will handle whatever consequences come from my decision. I’m doing this for love, and I trust You will support me because You are love.’

Do you know what this is? It is mocking God and His holiness! May God forbid any of us from saying such things to Him. The Word of God clearly states, ‘Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.’ Galatians 6:7, ESV

Our safety, peace, rest, joy, and fulfillment are all found in abiding in the Word of God. Disobeying God and His Word has never brought blessings to anyone—either in this life or in the life to come.

By the way, Galatians 6:7 is considered a general principle, not an absolute one. For example, if you sow wheat, you reap wheat—not teff. It’s a straightforward concept, right? Yes, but when we examine its practical application in a Christian’s life, how many of us, Christians, can honestly say that we’ve reaped everything we’ve sown throughout our walk with Christ?

Not me, for sure! And I am confident that this is the testimony of every believer in Christ Jesus. Why? The Word of God says, ‘If You, Lord, should keep account of and treat [us according to our] sins, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshiped. I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope’ Psalm 130:3-5, AMPC

However, there is no blessing in living with the mindset of ‘I will sin now and ask for forgiveness later.’ True blessing comes from obedience, trusting God and His Word, and believing that He knows what is best for us. This is the only way we can glorify God in our lives and experience the joy of His people—a joy this dark world cannot comprehend.

But why is it so important to mentor and guide single people to seek marriage only with believers? The short, simple, and straightforward answer is this: because the Bible says so. Period!

However, we can explore further why it is important for a married couple to share the same faith. Faith in Christ is not a badge we wear to show others we belong to Christ. Faith in Christ shapes and directs every aspect of our lives. Remember, Christianity is all or nothing. Just as there’s no such thing as being ‘a little bit pregnant,’ there’s no such thing as being ‘almost a Christian.’ You either are or you are not. There is no middle ground. Take note of this!

Marriage, as defined by the Word of God, is a one-flesh relationship—two completely different individuals coming together to live as though they are ‘one person.’ Their spiritual, emotional, physical, sexual and mental needs become intertwined, allowing them to nurture each other, with God being the ultimate source of it all.

Imagine a wife married to an unbelieving man who gives birth to a child and experiences postpartum depression. She cries frequently without any clear reason, doesn’t want to nurse her baby, only wants to sleep, avoids showering, and uses food as an escape from her depressive mood. She has no sexual desire and doesn’t want her husband to touch her. In such a situation, what role should her husband play?

To respond with, ‘Snap out of this! If you need to see a doctor, go and get medicine. The baby needs to be nursed—you’re the mother, not me. And remember, I’m a man. Sex is very important to me. If you’re not willing to be intimate, our marriage is in a dangerous place?’

Instead, he could say to her, ‘Babe, many women experience postpartum depression—it’s not uncommon, and you’re not alone in this. We are together. God knows what we’re going through, and He is able to help us. If we need to seek medical help, we’ll do it together. But let’s first pray and ask God to guide our path.’

Remember, the husband in this scenario is not a believer, so he cannot say that. In her darkest moments, this believing wife longs to hear words of comfort and hope from her Savior. In a Christian marriage, the husband serves as the priest of the home, representing Christ to his wife. But can an unbelieving husband fulfill this role? Unless his High Priest is the Lord Jesus Christ, how can he be a priest to his wife? Husbands learn to shepherd their wives and children by following the example of Jesus. Without Jesus as the Lord of their lives, how can they navigate situations like this in their marriage?

This is just one simple example to illustrate how a believer and an unbeliever can be unequally yoked in marriage. And who suffers in such a marriage? Both of them!

Some Bible scholars suggest that the concept of being ‘unequally yoked,’ as Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 6:14, is rooted in Deuteronomy 22:10, which states, ‘You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.’

When you read the verse above, don’t you naturally ask, ‘Why not?’ Any farmer would immediately know the answer. Before yoking two animals to plow a field, farmers must ensure the animals are comparable—equal or similar in size, nature, and strength—so they are not unequally yoked. But what happens if, for example, a farmer decides to yoke a donkey and an ox together? . . . cont’d ///