Different Levels of Spiritual Maturity or Unequally Yoked?

Different Levels of Spiritual Maturity or Unequally Yoked?

2 Corinthians 6:14-17

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Often we hear the saints say “Don't be unequally yoked” but they never explain what that really means. It leaves many with the idea that just because their friends or lovers don’t show up to church or meet a certain standard or do a particular thing that they aren't to associate themselves with that person. But what does unequally yoked really mean?

Unequally yoked means exactly what the scripture says.

You can't be in covenant/ agreement with someone who doesn’t share the same beliefs as you. What will you gain as a believer by being in a partnership with someone who is involved with darkness? They will ultimately hold you back from growing and don't be surprised if you stumble frequently.

The word covenant means to come in agreement. In Latin the word means “To come together”. You may come together with another person in agreement for many different reason. To marry, lifelong friendship, business, ministry assignments and the list goes on. I specifically want to look at friendships and intimate relationships.

As a believer you will have to make decisions based on your faith because ultimately you want to please God. If the person you have come into covenant with doesn’t share the same beliefs as you, they won’t be able to support some of your decisions that you want to make and you all could end up resenting each other. As a believer you want to be in covenant with people who will hold you accountable, grow with you spiritually and fulfill the agreement to please God.

When you are spiritually mature it’s easy to see what obstacles are coming up against believers who are where you have already been. As a Christian friend who is more mature in a certain area, it is your duty to warn but it is not your responsibility to make decisions for them. One of the best things you can do as a friend in covenant is to walk it out with the person that you're in covenant with. We all have to experience hardships, make mistakes and go through the fire. Our individual journey shapes us into who God has called us to be.

As a mature spiritual christian you have to be sure that the person that you're in covenant with wants spiritual growth for themselves in areas that are vital to what you two have come into agreement for. Sure, they can share the same beliefs as you but there is nothing worst that forcing someone to grow in Christ or make them see things the way that you see them. Your job first is to pray and hear from God. After that you must continue to live a sanctified lifestyle. When opportunities present themselves you plant seeds and water them. Love them and invite them to learn more about the God that they believe in and see what the word of God says. Take it step by step and remember that you too will always need spiritual growth and would want your good friend to walk it out with you.

The big question: As a christian, can I be in a covenant friendship or intimate relationship with someone who is spiritually immature?

The answer is, that’s totally up to you and God. It depends on first if God has brought you two together and where you both are spiritually at this time. It’s not a good idea to move forward in the friendship if it’s going to prevent you from growing and keeping your peace. If you two both want God and deeper relationships with him just know that it’s going to take lots of prayer and patience for one another.

Signs of spiritual immaturity

1. Unable to eat the meat of the word- How can you accept and digest the true mysteries and higher truths if you aren’t able to go beyond the simple doctrines and biblical laws. You’re still struggling with “We can have sex because we are about to marry.” Questioning why should you fear God if you are supposed to love him. ‘The most popular one is “I don’t have to go to church. I can pray and read my bible at home.” But are you really going to do that?

- 1 Corinthians 3:2 says - "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

2. Can’t separate yourself- 2 Corinthians 17 Therefore,“Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” You don’t feel that it's necessary to separate yourself for a few reasons.

1. The fear of missing out

2. Fear of loneliness

3. Change is uncomfortable

4. Addiction and in bondage with what or who has you bound

3. Work- You believe that your good works, popularity and fancy speaking abilities can buy your way into heaven. Just because you do good works doesn’t mean that you are a true follower of Christ. What are your true intentions?’

4. Talking more about God instead of directly to him- Do you incorporate prayer into your life daily? How can you share the good news and you don’t have a relationship with the father? It's harder to draw people when you're ministering from only your intellect. What is from the heart touches the heart.

5. Self Righteous- Titles and popularity can cause you into believing that you have reached maximum spiritual development. Truth is there is and will always be an opportunity to build a deeper and more intimate relationship with the father. Spiritual growth and self development is infinite.

There are many signs of spiritual immaturity and we are all on different levels. No two stories are alike because we all have different journeys with Christ. As Christians we should respect and love one another where we are in life. Love and patience is how we lead one another. Also remember that friends/ lovers that are in covenant should help one another grow in Christ. After all you two are both believers of Christ.

- Taylor J