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King Solomon is a famous example of a person who breached the instruction in Exodus 34:15-17. Contrary to God's directives, he married many strange women from nations outside Israel such as Moab, Ammon and Edom (1 Kings 11: 1-2). These nations were heathen, idol worshippers which God strictly forbade the Jews to associate with (Deuteronomy 7:3-4) (Joshua 23:12). The effect of Solomon's marriages with women from idol worshipping nations was that his wives turned his heart away from his God and he ended up worshipping the idols of his wives (1 Kings 11:5-9).
The Christian is the modern day Israelite. God is warning us as he warned the Jews in Bible days not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers in marriage. When a Christian marries a spouse outside his faith and doctrines, his relationship with the Lord will become polluted and gradually his commitment will wane. He is certain to backslide over a period of time as Solomon did (1 Kings 11:6) which caused God to judge him (1 Kings 11:9-13). His mixed marriages were a major component of his fall. Marriage is irreversible which makes a mixed marriage a painful cross to carry even if the believing partner in the marriage repents of his folly (Romans 7:1-3). It makes better sense to avoid a mixed marriage.
The fact remains that the Bible and its doctrines is the authentic, undiluted word of God. There are so-called Christian sects whose doctrines are at total variance with the established doctrines or tenets of the true Christian faith. For example, a Christian sect that does not believe in the resurrection, virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ is at variance with the Bible's doctrines on the salvation of Man. Such sects and their members are certainly not on the Narrow Way (Matthew 7:13-14).
Therefore, it is a spiritual accident for a Christian in the Body of Christ to entangle himself in marriage with a member of such sects. If he does, then his marriage is a mixed marriage and an ungodly relationship and will likely face the same perils that befell King Solomon.
A focused Christian who knows where he is heading to in eternity must exercise great care in his walk with the Lord to avoid any entanglements that can jeopardize his eternity in the kingdom of God. He has to submit to the leadership of the Lord in everything (Isaiah 48:17) (Psalm 32:8) (Proverbs 16:9). He must not lean on his own understanding which can lead to eternal ruin (Proverbs 14:12) (Proverbs 3:5-6). In matters of marriage as an institution set up by God, a Christian must submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit for divine guidance especially in mate selection.
The type of choices a Christian makes in marriage can have either a positive or negative effect on his walk with the Lord and his eternal destination. It is an error marrying a person based on morals because morals only are not sufficient. Real Conversion to Christ is what is needed and that is a surer foundation. Outside real conversion, one is merely a refined sinner based on morals. A Christian must not make the mistake of marrying an unbeliever in the hope that he can convert him/her later.
It is the divine grace of God that can convert a sinner. In choosing a mate for marriage, submission to the authority of the Holy Spirit in whom there is no error, for guidance and direction is a must. There must be no relationship between the temple of God and the temple of idols which is what a mixed marriage stands for (2 Corinthians 6: 14-18).
In conclusion, success in marriage is only possible when a Christian accepts the Bible as the final authority in matters concerning marriage and willing to pay the price to abide by its guidelines.
The author, Ayodele Adegbulugbe, is a Christian counselor and evangelist. He owns the marital blog, http://www.maritalsuccessresource.com/ where he discusses relationship issues.
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