Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian?
Subscribe to our Question of the Week by entering your email address
in the field below and clicking on “Subscribe.”
Question: “Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian?”
Answer: For a Christian, dating a non-Christian is unwise, and marrying one is not an option. Second Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) tells us not to be “unequally yoked” with an unbeliever. The imagery is of two incompatible oxen sharing the same yoke. Instead of working together to pull the load, they would be working against each other.
While this passage does not specifically mention marriage, it
definitely has implications for marriage. The passage goes on to say
that there is no harmony between Christ and
Belial (Satan). There can be no spiritual harmony in a marriage between
a Christian and a non-Christian. Paul goes on to remind believers that
they are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, who inhabits their
hearts at salvation (2 Corinthians 6:15-17).
Because of that, they are to be separate from the world—in the world,
but not of the world—and nowhere is that more important than in life’s
most intimate relationship—marriage.
The Bible also says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’ (1 Corinthians 15:33). Having any kind of intimate relationship with an unbeliever can quickly turn into something that is a hindrance to your walk with Christ. We are called to evangelize the lost, not be intimate with them. There is nothing wrong with building quality friendships with unbelievers, but that is as far as it should go. If you were dating an unbeliever, what would honestly be your priority, romance or winning a soul for Christ? If you were married to an unbeliever, how would the two of you cultivate a spiritual intimacy in your marriage? How could a quality marriage be built and maintained if you disagree on the most crucial issue in the universe—the Lord Jesus Christ?
Recommended Resource: The Ten Commandments of Dating by Young & Adams.
This page is also available in: Indonesia, Chinese, Hebrew, Korean, Arabic, Español, Thai, Suomi, Română, Português, Polski, Français, Russian, Nederlands, Srpski, Hrvatski, Italiano, Greek, Deutsch, Bulgarian, Japanese, Slovenčina, Cesky, Melayu, Sinhala, Malayalam, Trad-Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Ukrainian, Afrikaans, Mongolian, Việt, Magyar, Türkçe, Bosanski, Norsk, Kiswahili
Related Topics:
What should a Christian do if he or she is married to an unbeliever?
What does it mean to be unequally yoked?
Is missionary dating a good idea? Can’t God use it?
Is it wrong for a couple to live together before marriage?
Should Christians of different denominations date or marry?
Return to:
Questions about MarriageQuestions about Marriage
What does the Bible say about marriage?
What does the Bible say about interracial marriage?
Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian?
Does a wife have to submit to her husband?
What is/isn’t a Christian married couple allowed to do, sexually?
How often should a married couple have sex?
What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage?
I am divorced. Can I remarry?
When is the right time for marriage?
What does the Bible say about engagement?
Why did God allow polygamy in the Bible?
What constitutes marriage according to the Bible?
If a person divorces and remarries, is it always going to be adulterous?
Where should we, as Christians, stand on gay marriage?
Is abuse an acceptable reason for divorce?
What does the Bible say about prenuptial agreements?
What does it mean to be one flesh in a marriage?
How can I restore my marriage?
Is it wrong for a married couple to have sex just for pleasure?
What does the Bible say about remarriage after the death of your spouse?
Does marriage hinder your relationship with God?
What should be the response of a Christian whose spouse has had an affair?
What does the Bible say about a trial separation in a marriage?
Should a married person have a close friend of the opposite sex?
Can a couple who has gotten divorced get remarried?
Will there be marriage in heaven?
What should a Christian do if he or she is married to an unbeliever?
Do I have to confess my adultery to my spouse?
What should be the Christian view of romance?
Making marriage last – what is the key?
What does the Bible say about the concept of a common law marriage?
What does it mean to leave and cleave?
Does the Bible support the Catholic practice of a marriage annulment?
Is it acceptable to God for a husband and wife to have sex while the wife is menstruating / having her period?
Is it wrong for a Christian husband and wife to attend separate churches?
How should a Christian spouse handle an adulterous affair that has resulted in a child?
What should be done if a husband and wife disagree on tithing / how much to give?
What are biblical grounds for divorce?
What does the Bible say about remarriage if a divorce occurred before salvation?
Can/should a Christian who is a virgin marry someone who is not a virgin?
Why is premarital counseling important?
What is the exception clause?
Is it a sin to have a sexual fetish?
Is the idea of a spiritual marriage biblical?
Is it wrong for a husband and wife to have separate bank accounts?
What does the Bible say about handling money in a marriage?
What does the Bible say about an unhappy marriage?
How does one handle conflict in a marriage (or any relationship for that matter)?
I am in the process of getting a divorce. Can I start dating, or do I have to wait until the divorce is final?
How should a Christian wedding be different from a non-Christian wedding?
What should be different about a Christian marriage?
How can married Christians avoid emotional affairs?
Does the Bible advocate arranged marriages?
What is a covenant marriage?
What does it mean to be unequally yoked?
What is the purpose of marriage?
What sort of things should be in Christian wedding/marriage vows?
Should married Christians wear wedding rings?
What does the Bible say about oral sex?
What does the Bible say about BDSM?
Why is sexual temptation a bigger problem for men than for women?
Does the Bible say that abandonment is a valid reason for divorce and remarriage?
Why is marital infidelity so destructive?
If a man has multiple wives and becomes a Christian, what is he supposed to do?
Return to:
GotQuestions.org HomeTop 20 Most Frequently asked Questions
Top 20 Most Visited Articles
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment