1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:04,680 Speaker 1: Life audio. 2 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:08,039 Speaker 2: God doesn't just give us these arbitrary rules because he's 3 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:10,840 Speaker 2: trying to destroy our lives. As our children think sometimes, 4 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:12,639 Speaker 2: how come you guys have all these rules? None of 5 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 2: my friends have rules. And if you grew up in 6 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 2: the eighties like me, what does your parents say? I 7 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,440 Speaker 2: don't care what so and Soo's parents do and don't do. 8 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:24,240 Speaker 2: I am not that person's parent. I'm your parent. And 9 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 2: that's how God parents us. Oh, he is gentle, but 10 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:32,240 Speaker 2: he's also keen. And so you're gonna have to just decide. 11 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 2: Am I going to follow him and obey him and 12 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:37,159 Speaker 2: his word? Or am I gonna do my own thing? 13 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:45,159 Speaker 2: You really do get to decide. No one's forcing you. Hey, everybody, 14 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:47,479 Speaker 2: it's staying ache and you're listening to the Rebuilding Us 15 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 2: Marriage podcast today, you all, I want to talk to 16 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 2: you about a question that I have been asked many times. 17 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 2: It is this whole conversation surrounding what does it mean 18 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 2: to be unequally young? Now, if you've never heard that 19 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:06,080 Speaker 2: terminology before, it's an old King James phrase out of 20 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 2: the Book of tewod Corinthians, chapter six and the Bible. 21 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 2: So a lot of times when people are asking this question. 22 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 2: They're specifically saying, Dana, if I'm a Christian, is it 23 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 2: okay for me to date and or marry a non Christian. Now, 24 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:25,959 Speaker 2: everything that I share on this podcast is not just 25 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 2: my opinion. I am a woman of the Word. I 26 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 2: am someone who prays. I believe that God has a 27 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 2: solution and an answer for every problem and every question 28 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 2: that we have. So instead of simply just wondering like 29 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:43,120 Speaker 2: does this make sense? Or what do other people say 30 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 2: about things, It's best that we always go to God's word. 31 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 1: Now. 32 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 2: I understand that there might be some of you who 33 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 2: are listening to this podcast and you might not consider 34 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 2: yourself a Christian. Maybe you don't really read the Bible, 35 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 2: you don't really believe that it's God's authority for the 36 00:01:57,280 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 2: way that we live. But for those of you who 37 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 2: are interested and living in accordance with what the Word 38 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 2: of God teaches, this podcast episode is going to be 39 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:08,600 Speaker 2: really enlightening for you. And again, even if you're not 40 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 2: a person of faith, I really believe that you're going 41 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 2: to learn something today if you stick with me. Okay, 42 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:15,799 Speaker 2: so let me just read to you the passage of 43 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:20,519 Speaker 2: Scripture that's going to clearly answer this question. After I 44 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 2: read this, hopefully there will be no more questions. You 45 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 2: might need a little bit more clarity, especially if you're 46 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 2: in a marriage with someone that's not a believer and 47 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:30,359 Speaker 2: you are. 48 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: What do you do? Do you divorce? Do you separate? 49 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 1: What do you do? 50 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 2: So let's go to the Word of God. Before we 51 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 2: get to that part, I'm breaking into the episode real 52 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 2: quick with some super exciting news. The audiobook for Tried 53 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 2: and True Marriage Advice from twelve in Perfect Biblical Couples 54 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:51,239 Speaker 2: is now available you all. This is my love offering 55 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 2: to you. I am narrating the book and also after 56 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 2: every chapter, I'm sharing some really personal reflections, things that 57 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 2: you won't get in the paperback or the kindle edition. 58 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 1: This is me sharing my. 59 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 2: Thoughts, some more of our stories, and surprise, surprise, Sean 60 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 2: actually agreed to share some of these reflections with me. 61 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 2: So you'll be hearing from him. You'll be hearing his 62 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,800 Speaker 2: version of things in this audiobook. I really wanted to 63 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 2: make this a beautiful listener experience, so there's gonna be 64 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:25,959 Speaker 2: music again. You're gonna have some additional elements. So if 65 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 2: you maybe already have the paperback or the kindle but 66 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 2: you've been waiting for the audiobook, or maybe you didn't 67 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:33,359 Speaker 2: get the paperback or the kindle bookause you've been waiting 68 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 2: for the audiobook. 69 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: The wait is over, so. 70 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 2: Be sure to go to Tried and True Marriage book 71 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 2: dot com. You can also find that everywhere books are sold, 72 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 2: but the easiest way is to go to Tried and 73 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: True Marriage Book dot com. I cannot wait for you 74 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 2: to listen to this. I absolutely loved recording it, and 75 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 2: I know you're gonna love listening to it Tried in 76 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 2: True Marriage Book dot Com. I'm gonna be reading out 77 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 2: of Tewod Corinthians. Chapter I'm reading from the New Living Translation. 78 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 2: Starting at verse fourteen, it says, don't team up with 79 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 2: those who are unbelievers. So period, we're done. Don't team 80 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 2: up or again, do not partner with those who are unbelievers. 81 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 2: Who is Paul? Who's the writer of Tewod Corinthians. Who's 82 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 2: he talking to? He's talking to believers. So he's saying, hey, guys, 83 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 2: your believers, you used to be in darkness and now 84 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 2: you're in light. You used to live for yourself and 85 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 2: now you live for Christ. So now that you are 86 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 2: a believer, do not partner with do not team up 87 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 2: with unbelievers. He goes on to say, how can righteousness 88 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 2: be a partner with wickedness? Now that's like a strong word, right, wickedness. 89 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 2: You might not look at your boo, your partner, your 90 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 2: significant other as a wicked person. And this is not 91 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 2: calling that person specifically wicked, but it is the dominion, 92 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 2: if you will, or the influence that that person is under. 93 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:07,480 Speaker 2: If you are a non believer, you are not under 94 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 2: the banner or the covering of God's righteousness. You might 95 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 2: be a great person, might be nice, you might be 96 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 2: a giver, you might be a really sweet person. But 97 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 2: because that person is not underneath the blood of Jesus, 98 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 2: if I can just be so blunt and say the 99 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 2: blood of Jesus does not cleansed their sins, they are 100 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 2: not born again. They are a part of the works 101 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 2: of unrighteousness or wickedness. As it says here in the 102 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 2: New Living Translation, how can light live with darkness? He's 103 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 2: giving some practical questions here. How can you say that 104 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 2: there's light and dark at the same time. It's either 105 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:46,839 Speaker 2: one or the other. Right, How can light live with darkness? 106 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 2: What harmony can there be? Between Christ and the devil. 107 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 2: How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 108 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 2: This is Paul asking these very practical questions here to 109 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 2: the church. Verse sixteen, he says, and what union can 110 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 2: there be between God's temple and idols? We'll talk about 111 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 2: that in a second, For we are the temple. 112 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 1: Of the Living God. 113 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 2: And God said, and he's given a direct quote here. 114 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:18,679 Speaker 2: He says, I will live in them and walk among them. 115 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 2: I will be their God, and they will be my people. 116 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 2: Here Paul is actually quoting the words of the Lord 117 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,239 Speaker 2: from the Book of Leviticus and the Book of Ezekiel. Okay, 118 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 2: so he says, I will be their god, Paul talking 119 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:33,840 Speaker 2: about God here, I will be their God, and they 120 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:38,800 Speaker 2: will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers 121 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 2: and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don't touch 122 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:47,040 Speaker 2: their filthy things. Again, it's not calling them filthy necessarily, 123 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,280 Speaker 2: but he's saying, the things that they worship, the things 124 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: that they value, the things that they believe are important, 125 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 2: are filthy. Don't touch that stuff, okay, he says. And 126 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 2: I will welcome you, and I will be your father, 127 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 2: and you will be my sons. And daughters, says the 128 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 2: Lord Almighty. Okay, there's a lot to unpack in this scripture, 129 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 2: and this is not meant to be a sermon, but 130 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 2: I do pray that you will receive what I'm saying, 131 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 2: just like you receive a sermon, because they're both the 132 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 2: word of the Lord. Okay, So when you are in 133 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 2: a relationship with someone who is a non believer, someone 134 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 2: who is not born again, now I'm going to be 135 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 2: very clear with my words. I am not going to 136 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 2: use the word Christian a lot, because that word, unfortunately, 137 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 2: has been kind of butchered in our society. There's a 138 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 2: lot of people who think that they're Christians because they 139 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 2: go to church, or they think that that they are 140 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 2: Christians because maybe they were raised in church, or they 141 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 2: think that they are Christian because they believe in God. 142 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 2: None of those things make you a Christian. The word 143 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 2: Christian actually literally means little Christ or like Christ. So 144 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 2: when we say Christian, what we really mean is that 145 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 2: those who have been born again, those who have surrendered 146 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 2: their lives to Jesus Christ. And you will know that 147 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 2: the Bible says by how they live, so you don't 148 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 2: ever have to wonder. Hmm. Is that person a Christian 149 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 2: or not? I wonder because they're saying that they are, 150 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 2: but their lifestyle is totally different. The Book of James 151 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 2: says that that person is a liar and the truth 152 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 2: is not in them. So you don't have to wonder 153 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 2: if you're dating. I want you to hear me very clearly. 154 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 2: If you're dating someone and they are causing you to sin, 155 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 2: they are not a Christian. I don't care what they say. 156 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:35,679 Speaker 2: You cannot be in light and darkness at the same time. 157 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:38,960 Speaker 2: It's one or the other. You're either following Christ or 158 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,200 Speaker 2: you're not. You're either following the ways of the world 159 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 2: or you're not. And I know that, you know a 160 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 2: lot of people are like, well, I don't know about that, 161 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 2: because we all stumble, and no one's perfect and no, 162 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 2: no one's perfect, and yes, we all stumble. However, if 163 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 2: you are truly born again, whatever sin that you're caught 164 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,840 Speaker 2: up in, you're gonna be so convicted by that, and 165 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 2: you're going to acknowledge I'm struggling in this area. You're 166 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 2: not gonna just pretend like it's okay. You're not gonna 167 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 2: certainly try to use the Bible to justify that you 168 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 2: living apart from God's law in God's word is okay. 169 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 2: So we've got to put on our common sense. Not 170 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 2: even I'm listening. I'm not even talking about like spiritual 171 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 2: discernment yet. I'm just talking about your common sense. 172 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 1: Okay. 173 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 2: If I were to go up to you now, if 174 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:29,720 Speaker 2: you're watching this on YouTube, you see I am clearly 175 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 2: a black woman. Okay, maybe you didn't know that. If 176 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 2: you've never watched YouTube video, you may have thought that 177 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 2: I was. I am a black woman, all right. I 178 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 2: don't care how much I go around telling everybody I 179 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 2: am European. I'm European because I just feel it. I 180 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 2: feel it in my spirit. I you know, I know 181 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,719 Speaker 2: a lot of European people. I've been to Europe right 182 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 2: and a couple of times I've I know that I'm European. 183 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 2: Your common sense is gonna look at me and be like, girl, 184 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 2: you are cuckoo for Cocopusk. You are not European. No 185 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 2: matter what I say out of my mouth. We need 186 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 2: to be the same. When people say I'm a Christian, 187 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 2: I know lots of Christians. I've been to church, I 188 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:15,200 Speaker 2: was raised in a Christian family. Yet their lifestyle looks 189 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 2: nothing like Christ. Just use your common sense. Now, deeper 190 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 2: than your common sense is this thing called spiritual discernment. 191 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:26,680 Speaker 2: This is actually a gift of the Holy Spirit. So 192 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 2: you really can't have spiritual discernment if you don't have 193 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 2: the Holy Spirit. But when you have the gift of discernment, 194 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 2: specifically discerning of the spirits, what that means is that 195 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 2: you can see behind the presentation that someone is giving you. 196 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 2: Have you ever been in a conversation with somebody and 197 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 2: you just like, something's off here. I don't know what 198 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 2: that is, but like something's off, That is usually the 199 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit speaking through your intuition. You need to pay 200 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:55,200 Speaker 2: attention to that. The problem is, because we want to 201 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 2: be nice and because we want to like accept everybody 202 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:01,239 Speaker 2: for who they are, we tend to turn off that discarnment, 203 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 2: and that is when we get into trouble. So you 204 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 2: knew that man wasn't following Christ, but you decided to 205 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 2: marry him anyway. And then when you got married, your 206 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 2: eyes were really open to all the craziness that that 207 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 2: man is involved in. And now you're reaching out to 208 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 2: me asking me, how do I divorce this man? So 209 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 2: when we go to God's word, and when we actually 210 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 2: prioritize His word over our own feelings, our own desires, 211 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 2: we keep ourselves out of unnecessary trials and conflict and problems. 212 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:35,480 Speaker 2: Very clearly here Paul is saying, do not team up 213 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 2: with Now. This does not mean that we are like 214 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:40,880 Speaker 2: in this little bubble, this little Christian bubble, and we 215 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 2: never talk to unbelievers. I mean that is literally the 216 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 2: antithesis of our faith. We are born again so that 217 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 2: we can be witnesses for Jesus and bring the Kingdom 218 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:54,080 Speaker 2: of Heaven to the Kingdom of earth. That's why we're here. 219 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 2: So in order to do that, you have to communicate 220 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 2: and be friend in love unbelievers. But you do not 221 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 2: have to marry them. You do not have to go 222 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 2: into business with them. They do not need to be 223 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:12,199 Speaker 2: your best friends. I have many unsaved people in my life, 224 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 2: people who are on a journey of faith. Maybe they 225 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,280 Speaker 2: have a lot of questions or hurts in the past 226 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 2: from religion or church or whatever, and they're working through that. 227 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 2: And then there are some people in my life who 228 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:23,319 Speaker 2: aren't bit more think about God than the man the moon, 229 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 2: and I love them, but I'm not going into partnership 230 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 2: with them. And I certainly, if I was a single woman, 231 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:34,439 Speaker 2: would not marry someone who is not a believer. Why 232 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 2: because you open yourself up to all kinds of trials 233 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 2: from day one. Paul says here, he says, what fellowship 234 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:49,560 Speaker 2: does righteousness have with wickedness? What unity? You don't have 235 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 2: any unity? 236 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 1: Why? 237 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:54,640 Speaker 2: Because one person is serving God and the other person 238 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 2: is serving either themselves or maybe the devil. And when 239 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 2: I say serving the I don't mean that they're doing 240 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 2: like seances and they've got spells and they're witches. No, no, no, 241 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 2: If you're not serving God, you're serving the god of 242 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 2: this world, who we know is Satan. So your values 243 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:16,439 Speaker 2: are not aligned. When you have a problem in your marriage, 244 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 2: Let's say that you're the believer and your spouse is 245 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 2: the non believer. When there's a problem that comes up, 246 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 2: you might be attempted to go and pray, attempted in 247 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:27,680 Speaker 2: a good way, right, You might lean toward, Hey, we 248 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 2: need to pray about this, we need to bring this 249 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:32,199 Speaker 2: before God. Well, that spouse is probably not going to 250 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:32,719 Speaker 2: think that. 251 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:33,120 Speaker 1: Now. 252 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:36,199 Speaker 2: They might be okay with you praying, but it certainly 253 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 2: there's nothing in them that's going to say, let's take 254 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 2: this before the Lord. There can't be they don't belong 255 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 2: to the Lord. So I really want to encourage those 256 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 2: of you who are in marriages that you know, like, okay, 257 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 2: I know that I'm married this person. And maybe you 258 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 2: were both non believers at the time, and now one 259 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 2: of you is a believer. Probably you if you're listening 260 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 2: to this podcast and now you want to know what 261 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 2: to do. So I'm going to tell you what I 262 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 2: believe you should do, but first we have to take 263 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 2: a break for a word from our sponsor. During the 264 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 2: commercial break, you all, I want to encourage you if 265 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 2: you have not already subscribed or followed the show, be 266 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 2: sure to do that. 267 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 1: And also I would love if you would leave a review. 268 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 2: I love every single review that comes in about this podcast. 269 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 2: That warms my heart to know that these podcast episodes 270 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 2: are really helping you, speaking to you, ministering to you 271 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 2: right where you are. So don't go anywhere. We have 272 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 2: to take a quick break. We'll be right back. 273 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 1: All right, friends, we're back. 274 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 2: So we're talking all about being unequally yoked, which again 275 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 2: is a King Jane's phrase. If you've never heard that phrase, 276 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 2: you probably weren't raised in the church, because it's very 277 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 2: common for those who were raised in church. But you 278 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 2: might be thinking, if I'm a Christian, should I date 279 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 2: and maybe should I marry? Should I go into business 280 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 2: with someone who is a non believer? And I just 281 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 2: read to you from tewod Corinthians, chapter six, starting at 282 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 2: verse fourteen. The answer is no, No, I don't see 283 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 2: any kind of work around for this. Okay, according to 284 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 2: the scripture, now you can do what you want. You 285 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 2: could certainly make your own decisions. You can certainly choose 286 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 2: to disobey the word of the Lord if that's what 287 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:22,320 Speaker 2: you choose to do. But if you are going to 288 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 2: call yourself a Christian, a believer, then that means that 289 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 2: you have said God, I have a will and I 290 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 2: have desires here. But because you're my king and you're 291 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 2: my lord and master, I'm going to bring my desires 292 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 2: under yours. So what I think is right, I know 293 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 2: that it's not right, and I'm going to bring that 294 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 2: under your leadership. 295 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: That's what it means to be born again. Friends. 296 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 2: So let's talk a little bit about what Paul says about. 297 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 1: This whole What. 298 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 2: Union can there be between God's temple and idols. When 299 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 2: we think of the word temple and even the word church, 300 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 2: a lot of times we imagine that like the spirit 301 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 2: of God lives in our church buildings, and so when 302 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 2: I go into church, I feel really holy. I can't 303 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 2: say certain words in church that I might say in 304 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 2: the parking lot. That's ridiculous. Okay, I'm glad that you 305 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 2: have a respect for churches. But truth be told, God 306 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 2: doesn't live in buildings. The Lord lives in you. You 307 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 2: are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Bible says, 308 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 2: so God says. Therefore, since you're the temple of the 309 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit, the place where I dwell, honor me with 310 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 2: your lifestyle, Honor me with your body. Now what union 311 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 2: does a temple have with an idol? Think about that. 312 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 2: Just think about it from your common sense. If you 313 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 2: are a temple, then that means that anything that is 314 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 2: in you, or that is happening in you, if you will, 315 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 2: it's going to be worship. 316 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 1: Right. Think about the actual temple. What was going on. 317 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 2: There were sacrifices made to the Lord. There was worship, 318 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:04,400 Speaker 2: there was praise, there was prayer, there were offerings. All 319 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:08,399 Speaker 2: of these forms of worship happening inside this temple that 320 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 2: is very different than the idle worship that was happening 321 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 2: in the land. At the same time, when we choose, 322 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:21,879 Speaker 2: we go into relationships knowing this person is not a believer. 323 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 2: Not only are you being disobedient to the word of God, 324 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 2: but you are literally signing yourself up for a whole 325 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 2: bunch of drama and trauma. So I'm going to talk 326 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 2: to you about and I will not use their names. 327 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:38,879 Speaker 2: Let's just call him Bill and Jill. Okay, there's a couple, 328 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 2: Bill and Jill who I know, and when they were dating, 329 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 2: neither of them were believers. Jill becomes born again a 330 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,879 Speaker 2: couple of years into their marriage. Bill is not born again. 331 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 2: Bill is not thinking about being born again. 332 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 1: Okay. 333 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 2: Bill is living his best life and loving the life 334 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:58,080 Speaker 2: that he lives. He's not a bad guy. He's, you know, 335 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:01,359 Speaker 2: from all intents and purposes of a dead man. But 336 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:04,880 Speaker 2: Bill is not a believer and Jill is very. 337 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 1: Bothered by this. 338 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 2: It has caused a lot of pressure and their marriage 339 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,439 Speaker 2: because Jill wants to live for the Lord, Jill wants 340 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:14,520 Speaker 2: to be in church, Jill wants to attend conferences, Jill 341 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 2: wants to start building their family on the foundations of 342 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:22,439 Speaker 2: God's word, and Bill is not interested at all. So 343 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:26,880 Speaker 2: Jill wants to know, Dana, should I separate from him? Now, 344 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,320 Speaker 2: according to the Word of God, we know that God 345 00:18:30,359 --> 00:18:31,120 Speaker 2: hates divorce. 346 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 1: Okay. 347 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:34,200 Speaker 2: Now, if you're divorced, that is not an indictment on you. 348 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:36,879 Speaker 2: Does not say that God hates you. But the act 349 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 2: of divorce is violence, okay. According to the Book of Malachi, 350 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 2: it is a violent act. It is a tearing, a 351 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 2: part of a covenant. Okay, And I believe that. And again, 352 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 2: there's no condemnation for those of you who are divorced. 353 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:54,680 Speaker 2: But I'm telling you what it is. I do not 354 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 2: believe that the answer to Bill and Jill's situation is divorce, 355 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:03,439 Speaker 2: because the Bible also says that if you are married 356 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 2: to an unbeliever and that person leaves, let them leave. 357 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:09,480 Speaker 2: Let them leave. So if Bill were to be like Jill, 358 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:11,760 Speaker 2: I can't do this anymore. You and all your God 359 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:12,760 Speaker 2: talk is just too much. 360 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 1: I'm done. 361 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 2: Well, then Jill is technically supposed to let Bill leave. 362 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:17,960 Speaker 2: She's not supposed to go chasing after him. She's not 363 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:19,959 Speaker 2: supposed to be trying to make him stay. With her, 364 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:24,919 Speaker 2: let him go, bye, Bill. But if Bill decides to stay, 365 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:28,879 Speaker 2: then Jill does not hear me closely. Jill does not 366 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 2: have a biblical reason or an out to divorce him. 367 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 2: So my advice to Jill, of course, is stay in 368 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 2: your marriage, pray for your husband, be a light to him. 369 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:47,120 Speaker 2: I want to talk to you who. You're married, and 370 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:49,400 Speaker 2: you are dealing with the trauma and the drama, right, 371 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:50,720 Speaker 2: and you're like, I don't know what to do. I 372 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 2: want to read to you out of first Peter chapter three. 373 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 2: This is such an amazing passage of scripture, and unfortunately, 374 00:19:58,119 --> 00:20:02,680 Speaker 2: you guys, unfortunately, unfortunately, fortunately, this passage of scripture has 375 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:07,159 Speaker 2: been butchered and weaponized against wives and women. But I 376 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 2: want to read it to you from just the purity 377 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:12,919 Speaker 2: of God's word, without all of the religious jargon and 378 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:19,440 Speaker 2: man made additions. Okay, so listen to this verse Peter 379 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:23,679 Speaker 2: Chapter three, verse one. In the same way you wives 380 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:27,680 Speaker 2: must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if 381 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 2: some refuse to obey the good news, your godly lives 382 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:34,879 Speaker 2: will speak to them without any words. They will be 383 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:40,520 Speaker 2: won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. So 384 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:44,239 Speaker 2: listen to me friends, if you and this, this can go. 385 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:47,720 Speaker 2: I believe both ways. It's not just saying wives, your 386 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 2: godly influence can affect your husband, but husbands, maybe your 387 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 2: husband and your wife is the not believer by your lifestyle, 388 00:20:57,080 --> 00:21:00,880 Speaker 2: by you loving that spouse, by you not judging them 389 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:03,159 Speaker 2: and condemning them and telling them that they need to 390 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:04,880 Speaker 2: become a Christian and they need to be like you. 391 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 2: And how come they don't want to go to church 392 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:09,280 Speaker 2: with you and doing all that stuff. But simply by 393 00:21:09,320 --> 00:21:13,320 Speaker 2: you loving them, simply by you showing up as Christ 394 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 2: to them without a word, Peter says, without a word, 395 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 2: they will be won over by you. Listen, y'all, this 396 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:26,680 Speaker 2: is my story. Sean and I were both Christians, I'm 397 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 2: doing air quotes over here Christians when we got married, 398 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:33,000 Speaker 2: but neither of us were really living for the Lord. 399 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:35,560 Speaker 2: We had both been raising great churches, we knew the Lord, 400 00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 2: we were saved, but again we were not living for 401 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:43,080 Speaker 2: the Lord. So in my early twenties I had an epiphany. 402 00:21:43,119 --> 00:21:46,439 Speaker 2: I had just a life transformation, really is what it was. 403 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 2: Not only did I rededicate my life to the Lord, 404 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:51,960 Speaker 2: but I was filled with the Holy Spirit. And so 405 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:54,880 Speaker 2: of course now Shawn and I are at odds, even 406 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:57,560 Speaker 2: more so because he is totally living in the world 407 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 2: and acting like a complete non believer. So I used 408 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:06,119 Speaker 2: to try all the tactics, all the antics, all the manipulation, 409 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 2: all the things. I would guilt him, I would shame him, 410 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:11,960 Speaker 2: I would cry. I would tell him, you know, you're 411 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:13,960 Speaker 2: not being a good father. The kids aren't going to 412 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:16,399 Speaker 2: know the Lord because you're there. Example, I mean, all 413 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 2: the things you guys like, I did it all, got 414 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:21,560 Speaker 2: the T shirt, okay. And then I came across this 415 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:23,760 Speaker 2: first Peter three passage. Now I had heard about First 416 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:25,600 Speaker 2: Peter three, but I would ignore it because I was like, 417 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:29,400 Speaker 2: nah m, I have a better way because I can. 418 00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 2: I'm good with words, but this word says that they 419 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:38,359 Speaker 2: will be one over without a word. And I was like, well, dang, Lord, 420 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:40,440 Speaker 2: if I'm not speaking, then how in the world is 421 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:42,440 Speaker 2: Sean going to come to know you? And the Lord 422 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:44,040 Speaker 2: was like, well, if you would be quiet, then maybe 423 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 2: he could hear me speak. So I had to learn 424 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:52,320 Speaker 2: how to be quiet, and I had to learn how 425 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 2: to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to my husband 426 00:22:56,160 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 2: and me not say anything or take credit for it. Yeah, 427 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:03,640 Speaker 2: that part because I would pray for Sean, and then 428 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:06,199 Speaker 2: Sean would have this like epiphany and act like it 429 00:23:06,280 --> 00:23:08,120 Speaker 2: just came to him out of nowhere, and I'm like, dude, 430 00:23:08,119 --> 00:23:11,200 Speaker 2: I've been praying for you for four months regarding that issue. 431 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:12,880 Speaker 2: You did not just think of that on your own. 432 00:23:13,680 --> 00:23:15,800 Speaker 2: But I had to bite my tongue and swallow my 433 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:18,439 Speaker 2: pride and not say anything because it's not about that. 434 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:20,399 Speaker 2: It's not about me being right, it's not about me 435 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 2: being holy. It's not about my husband thinking I'm the 436 00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 2: greatest best thing ever. It is about my husband coming 437 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:28,919 Speaker 2: to know the Lord, which he did in time. The 438 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:31,880 Speaker 2: Lord got hold of his heart and then sewn rededicated 439 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 2: his life to the Lord. So I don't know how 440 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:37,520 Speaker 2: long it's going to take. I know that this is 441 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 2: very difficult, and I know that it is very hard 442 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:44,280 Speaker 2: when you are in a relationship with somebody. 443 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:45,520 Speaker 1: And I'm talking about a marriage here. 444 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 2: If you're just dating, get out like you're not in covenant, okay, 445 00:23:50,280 --> 00:23:52,680 Speaker 2: But I'm talking about those who are married. I do 446 00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 2: not believe that you have any biblical out to divorce 447 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:59,480 Speaker 2: your spouse simply because they're not a Christian. What you 448 00:23:59,560 --> 00:24:03,720 Speaker 2: do have is a responsibility to live righteously before them 449 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 2: so that they can see Christ in you. Now, let's 450 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:12,199 Speaker 2: talk about those who are dating. If you're dating a 451 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 2: non believer and you think, oh, I'm going to be 452 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 2: a light, this is called missionary dating. FYI, I'm going 453 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:20,280 Speaker 2: to be a light to them. They're going to see 454 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:22,760 Speaker 2: my lifestyle and they're going to be drawn to Jesus. 455 00:24:22,760 --> 00:24:27,760 Speaker 2: You are fool in yourself. That happens very rarely. It 456 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 2: can it happen, sure, I mean lots of things can happen, 457 00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 2: right I mean, I'm looking at a tree outside my 458 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:35,360 Speaker 2: window right now. It could totally fall in the middle 459 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:37,720 Speaker 2: of the street right now. Probably unlikely that that's going 460 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:42,679 Speaker 2: to happen, but it could happen. It's probably unlikely that 461 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:45,960 Speaker 2: you dating your non believing boyfriend or girlfriend that you're 462 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,080 Speaker 2: just going to have this wonderful effect on them and 463 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:51,040 Speaker 2: they're just going to come to Christ. Probably the opposite 464 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:53,680 Speaker 2: is going to happen. They're probably going to influence you 465 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 2: and the things of the world. So this is like 466 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:02,840 Speaker 2: a non negotiable. Whenever I'm talking to premarital couples and 467 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:05,160 Speaker 2: there's one who's a believer in one who is not, 468 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:07,800 Speaker 2: I'm not going any further until y'all decide what you're 469 00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:09,840 Speaker 2: gonna do. Y'all can both be non believers, or y'all 470 00:25:09,880 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 2: can both be believers, but y'all need to make a 471 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:14,439 Speaker 2: decision on what y'all are gonna do because I'm not 472 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:19,400 Speaker 2: going to be a partner in y'all's dysfunction. You can 473 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:22,359 Speaker 2: find another counselor who might be, but this I won't. 474 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna give you premarital counseling knowing that you're 475 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 2: about to walk into a minefield. So if you are 476 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:33,520 Speaker 2: dating someone, listen, I know your emotions are attached. 477 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: I get it. 478 00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:38,240 Speaker 2: You love this person, I understand, But you're gonna have 479 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 2: to ask yourself do I love them more than I 480 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:42,640 Speaker 2: love the Lord? And if you do, then that they're 481 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:48,320 Speaker 2: an idol? Straight up, if you love the Lord more. 482 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:51,639 Speaker 2: The Bible says, if you love me, you will obey 483 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:54,080 Speaker 2: my commands. See, we got a lot of people out 484 00:25:54,119 --> 00:25:55,880 Speaker 2: here talking about I love the Lord. No you don't, 485 00:25:56,160 --> 00:25:58,520 Speaker 2: not by the way you live. Because he said, if 486 00:25:58,560 --> 00:26:03,919 Speaker 2: you love me, you'll obey. So if you love the Lord, 487 00:26:04,359 --> 00:26:06,280 Speaker 2: then God knows your emotions. 488 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 1: He made them. 489 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:10,480 Speaker 2: He's sympathetic and compassionate to that, but just like a 490 00:26:10,520 --> 00:26:13,680 Speaker 2: good parent. You know, my kids sometimes are like, but mom, 491 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:15,159 Speaker 2: you don't understand. 492 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 1: I mean, we have a child. I won't. I won't. 493 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:18,600 Speaker 2: Well, you guys know, I have one kid left at home. 494 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:20,639 Speaker 2: So Colin, unfortunately is like the brunt of all of 495 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:23,480 Speaker 2: my examples. Now, but Colin goes out the other night, y'all. 496 00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:27,200 Speaker 2: He's having some issues coming home. One time, he drives, 497 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:30,600 Speaker 2: and so he came home late again, and Sean and 498 00:26:30,640 --> 00:26:33,120 Speaker 2: I are like, you know what, we are not gonna 499 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:35,840 Speaker 2: be bothered by this. You are just gonna lose your privileges. 500 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:37,520 Speaker 2: And if you just want to spend your whole life 501 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:39,720 Speaker 2: in your room and in the house with me and Dad, 502 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:44,000 Speaker 2: that's fine. We like spending time with you. So he 503 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:46,680 Speaker 2: comes back home late and he's like, but you guys, 504 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:49,000 Speaker 2: I have a story. He's always got a story, he's 505 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:51,400 Speaker 2: always got a reason, and it's just fun at this point, 506 00:26:51,480 --> 00:26:53,720 Speaker 2: like it's just really fun hearing all of his excuses, 507 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:55,960 Speaker 2: and so he comes up with the story and it's 508 00:26:56,000 --> 00:27:00,320 Speaker 2: probably true, totally true. The point is you were told 509 00:27:00,320 --> 00:27:02,280 Speaker 2: to be back here at a certain time and you 510 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,919 Speaker 2: were not. So though we can be sympathetic and compassionate 511 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:09,360 Speaker 2: and be like, oh wow, really, oh man, that's crazy. 512 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 2: You're still on punishment. That's how God is. And see 513 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:15,920 Speaker 2: the problem is that we have made God into our 514 00:27:15,960 --> 00:27:19,000 Speaker 2: own image. We think that just because we tell God 515 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:21,160 Speaker 2: this sob story. And really, but God, I love him. 516 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 2: You don't understand I love him Lord, And God's like, 517 00:27:24,359 --> 00:27:24,800 Speaker 2: I know. 518 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:26,199 Speaker 1: I know you do. 519 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:30,359 Speaker 2: But are you gonna follow your own way or are 520 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:33,160 Speaker 2: you gonna follow my way? If you follow your own way, 521 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,520 Speaker 2: I mean, have at it, you will be coming back 522 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:39,520 Speaker 2: to me though for grace and mercy. Or you can 523 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 2: just be obedient and I will help you to overcome 524 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:44,720 Speaker 2: those emotions that you're feeling. For that, man, I will 525 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:47,080 Speaker 2: help you. It's gonna take some time because you're a 526 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:50,600 Speaker 2: human being and you really have real emotions. But if 527 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:53,919 Speaker 2: you want to honor me, then this is what my 528 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 2: word says. And again, if you're a parent, you know 529 00:27:57,640 --> 00:27:59,840 Speaker 2: this to be true. God doesn't just give us these 530 00:27:59,920 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 2: arbitrary rules because he's trying to, you know, destroy our lives. 531 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:05,280 Speaker 2: As our children think sometimes, how come you guys have 532 00:28:05,359 --> 00:28:07,480 Speaker 2: all these rules. None of my friends have rules. And 533 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:08,879 Speaker 2: if you grow up in the eighties, like me, what 534 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:11,439 Speaker 2: does your parents say? I don't care what so and 535 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:13,720 Speaker 2: so's parents do and don't do. I am not that 536 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:19,200 Speaker 2: person's parent. I'm your parent. And that's how God parents us. 537 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:19,639 Speaker 1: You guys. 538 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:25,040 Speaker 2: Oh, he is gentle, but he's also king, and so 539 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:26,760 Speaker 2: you're gonna have to just decide. Am I going to 540 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:30,359 Speaker 2: follow him and obey him and his word? Or am 541 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:32,479 Speaker 2: I going to do my own thing? You really do 542 00:28:32,520 --> 00:28:35,959 Speaker 2: get to decide. No one's forcing you. But just understand 543 00:28:36,080 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 2: that both of those choices have consequences. And should you 544 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 2: choose to be unequally yoked, should you choose to partner 545 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:45,840 Speaker 2: up with someone who is not a believer knowing that 546 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:49,680 Speaker 2: you are a believer, just get ready for trouble. They 547 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:53,000 Speaker 2: might be a great person, nice, sweet, kind, wonderful, but 548 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:54,920 Speaker 2: they are not serving the same God that you are, 549 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:59,720 Speaker 2: and therefore you are unequally yoked. What does that mean? 550 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,040 Speaker 2: Because again, we don't live in a farm Most of 551 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:04,560 Speaker 2: us don't live in a farming culture. Unless you're listening 552 00:29:04,560 --> 00:29:06,800 Speaker 2: to me from West Virginia or something, we don't live 553 00:29:06,920 --> 00:29:10,480 Speaker 2: in a farming culture. So some of these farming analogies 554 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:12,920 Speaker 2: that the Bible uses can be lost on us. But 555 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:16,320 Speaker 2: to be unequally yoked simply means that you've got one 556 00:29:16,440 --> 00:29:19,239 Speaker 2: animal who is not of the same caliber as the 557 00:29:19,240 --> 00:29:21,560 Speaker 2: other animal. For example, you might have an oxen and 558 00:29:21,560 --> 00:29:23,680 Speaker 2: a donkey, and what they would do is they would 559 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:28,080 Speaker 2: yoke or tie these two animals together so that when 560 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:32,400 Speaker 2: they're plowing wheat or barley or whatever the grain or 561 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:36,840 Speaker 2: the crop was, these animals would work side by side. Well, 562 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:39,720 Speaker 2: if you've got a strong animal and a weak animal, 563 00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:42,600 Speaker 2: that's going to put too much pressure on the strong animal, 564 00:29:42,760 --> 00:29:44,960 Speaker 2: and the weak animal is going to get dragged along 565 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:50,160 Speaker 2: could potentially be hurt. That's what happens when you're unequally yoke. 566 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:52,880 Speaker 2: You've got a strong person, a strong believer, and then 567 00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:55,640 Speaker 2: you've got this week one over here who's not a believer, 568 00:29:56,680 --> 00:29:58,880 Speaker 2: and so this one's gonna get hurt, and this one's 569 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 2: gonna be frustrated all the because you're gonn feel like 570 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:04,160 Speaker 2: I'm doing all the work. Now, what if you have 571 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:06,080 Speaker 2: and I've been asked this question, what if we are 572 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 2: both Christians, but we're lopsided in our faith. Maybe we're 573 00:30:09,560 --> 00:30:12,680 Speaker 2: both believers, but like my spouse, they don't pray, they 574 00:30:12,720 --> 00:30:14,560 Speaker 2: don't go to church, they don't do anything, they don't 575 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 2: have any evidence of Christ in their lives. Well, I 576 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:23,800 Speaker 2: would ask you, is that person actually a believer? Because 577 00:30:23,840 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 2: if you really are a believer, then you are going 578 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:29,280 Speaker 2: to have a desire and not just a desire, but 579 00:30:29,360 --> 00:30:32,360 Speaker 2: you are going to be compelled to follow after the Lord. 580 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:36,040 Speaker 2: You're not just playing lip service here. But let's say 581 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:38,000 Speaker 2: that they are both believers, and let's just say that 582 00:30:38,040 --> 00:30:40,480 Speaker 2: maybe one spouse's faith is a little stronger than the other. 583 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:45,240 Speaker 2: That's totally normal. That is totally normal. So what the 584 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:50,280 Speaker 2: stronger spouse has to do is not get resentful and listen, y'all, 585 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:51,400 Speaker 2: this is my life. 586 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:53,040 Speaker 1: I understand this. Okay. 587 00:30:53,120 --> 00:30:56,600 Speaker 2: You have to work at not becoming resentful and not 588 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:59,040 Speaker 2: always telling your spouse what they need to do. And 589 00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:01,040 Speaker 2: I'm gonna pull you up to be like me. It's 590 00:31:01,080 --> 00:31:02,880 Speaker 2: not about you being like me, it's about you being 591 00:31:02,960 --> 00:31:07,280 Speaker 2: like Christ. And so, yes, as your spouse, I am 592 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:10,800 Speaker 2: going to affect you. I am going to disciple you 593 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:13,600 Speaker 2: as you are discipling me. If we're both believers here, 594 00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:16,880 Speaker 2: But you have to work. If you're the quote stronger spouse, 595 00:31:17,160 --> 00:31:20,479 Speaker 2: you have to work hard at not becoming resentful and 596 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:23,400 Speaker 2: self righteous, and if you are the spouse who's coming 597 00:31:23,480 --> 00:31:26,080 Speaker 2: up like your faith is growing, then you can't be 598 00:31:26,120 --> 00:31:30,560 Speaker 2: intimidated by your strong spouse. You have to allow yourself 599 00:31:30,640 --> 00:31:33,600 Speaker 2: to be on that Potter's wheel, allow the Lord to 600 00:31:33,640 --> 00:31:36,440 Speaker 2: do what he's doing in you in his own timing, 601 00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:39,240 Speaker 2: and not look at your spouse as like this this idle, 602 00:31:39,320 --> 00:31:43,120 Speaker 2: this ideal Christian person. So just allow God to do 603 00:31:43,320 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 2: in both of you what he's trying to do, and 604 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:49,840 Speaker 2: you and just love each other well, have lots of 605 00:31:49,880 --> 00:31:54,000 Speaker 2: grace for one another. I don't know if there's a 606 00:31:54,040 --> 00:31:58,480 Speaker 2: marriage where both spouses are like perfectly on par you're 607 00:31:58,520 --> 00:32:00,640 Speaker 2: usually going to have a spouse who's alone stronger, and 608 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:03,480 Speaker 2: sometimes its ebbs and flows. Sometimes I feel like Sean 609 00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:06,480 Speaker 2: is the stronger spouse spiritually than I am, and sometimes 610 00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:08,480 Speaker 2: I feel like I'm the stronger spouse. So you just 611 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:11,800 Speaker 2: really have to walk with the spirit and allow him 612 00:32:11,800 --> 00:32:15,480 Speaker 2: to refine you both at the same time. So I 613 00:32:15,520 --> 00:32:18,680 Speaker 2: hope that this podcast episode has been instructional for you. 614 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:21,360 Speaker 2: Maybe you have a child and adult child and you 615 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:23,760 Speaker 2: know they're in a relationship with someone who's not a believer. 616 00:32:24,000 --> 00:32:26,520 Speaker 2: Send this podcast episode to them. They'll hear it from 617 00:32:26,520 --> 00:32:30,880 Speaker 2: me and not from you. If you are someone who 618 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:34,640 Speaker 2: you're contemplating marrying someone that you know they are not 619 00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:39,440 Speaker 2: a believer, do not do it. I'm giving you a warning, 620 00:32:39,640 --> 00:32:44,240 Speaker 2: do not do it. There have been many many couples 621 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:47,400 Speaker 2: who have gone before you that have said I regret 622 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:51,440 Speaker 2: that with all of my being, because you know, people 623 00:32:51,480 --> 00:32:53,680 Speaker 2: never show you who they really are until you get married. 624 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:57,960 Speaker 2: So just be warned. The word of God is clear, 625 00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:00,680 Speaker 2: and God will help you with your our emotions if 626 00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:04,680 Speaker 2: you trust him, he'll help you with those feelings. But 627 00:33:04,760 --> 00:33:07,320 Speaker 2: you've got a first surrender to His lordship and his 628 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:11,720 Speaker 2: leadership in your life. So take a deep breath. I 629 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:14,320 Speaker 2: know that was a heavy one, but I think it's necessary. 630 00:33:14,360 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 2: You know, I've been doing this podcast for now, at 631 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:18,640 Speaker 2: the taping of this six years, and I don't think 632 00:33:18,680 --> 00:33:21,560 Speaker 2: we've ever had this conversation. It was well overdue, and 633 00:33:21,680 --> 00:33:25,040 Speaker 2: so the word of the Lord to you. It's not 634 00:33:25,120 --> 00:33:27,840 Speaker 2: my opinion. I just simply read the scripture do with 635 00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:30,840 Speaker 2: it what you will. Thanks so much for listening. I 636 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:32,960 Speaker 2: hope you have an incredible day. I'll see you on 637 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:33,800 Speaker 2: the next episode. 638 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:34,320 Speaker 1: Take care,