And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. (1 Cor 7:13)
Are you married to a non-believer? Is that being unequally yoked? Can you justifiably leave this person and marry a believer? The Corinthians had such questions just as we do today. The apostle Paul addressed the Christian married to a non-believer in the seventh chapter of 1 Corinthians. Here’s a summation:
1) STAY WITH YOUR NON-CHRISTIAN SPOUSE (1 Cor 7:12-13). Maybe the Corinthians were applying what Ezra commanded the Israelites to do, divorce their pagan wives (Ezra 10:11). Some of the Corinthian believers were saved after they had been married, but their mates had not yet been. But Paul commands that if you are married to a non-believer, you are to stay with that person and not divorce them.
2) REALIZE YOUR GODLY INFLUENCE ON YOUR FAMILY (1 Cor 7:14). The blessing of God which comes to the believer may affect the family as a whole (Jacob and Laban - Gen 30:27; Joseph and Potiphar - Gen 39:5). The believer in the family has a godly influence in the home that can lead to the salvation of the family members (Acts 16:31; 1 Pet 3:1).
3) KNOW THAT GOD HATES DIVORCE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES (1 Cor 7:14). (Mal 2:15-16) But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. 16 "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the LORD of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously."
The world says to “Dump him!” . . . or “Ditch the witch” . . . or . . . “You deserve better!” . . . and we can believe the counsel of the ungodly. But the Bible says to get your counsel from the Word of God and let that be your guide (Psa 1). Being married to a non-believer might be the hardest thing you’ll ever have to do but you’d never want to miss the blessings of obedience (1 Sam 15:22). The Lord will strengthen you to do what you don’t feel like doing (Phil 2:13). Get the prayer support of your church and of your good Christian friends who will encourage you to keep fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12; Heb 10:24-25). Put your trust in the Lord and watch what He will do! “. . . he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.” (Psa 32:10)
Louie