In a divisive society that is oppositional to our faith, Christians tend to seek each others’ approval by being compelled to agree with each other on various matters.
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
“I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.” 2Corinthians 6:14-18
The scripture is very clear about us not being yoked with unbelievers. Many times we only see the above passage in the context of marrying unbelievers. However, when you look at the scriptures from the point view of being defiled, we find that the above passage is going deeper. The Lord calls us to separate ourselves from things that defile and pollute us.
The truth is that carnality is all around us and in us. If we don’t want to get polluted by the ways of the world, we should be guarded from easily coming into agreement with other Christians as well. We tend to feel safe around other believers. As a result, we don’t question or examine behaviors that may be ungodly. Furthermore, we live in a culture that is not very accommodating to our Christian faith, so when we are around other believers, we let our guards down.
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1Corinthians 15:33
We cannot seek other Christian’s approval to the degree that we look the other way or come into agreement with foolish talks or behavior. This is when reading the scriptures and listening to the conviction of the Holy Spirit becomes very important. Others can excuse their behavior, but we have to live with our decisions. Some of those decisions is walking away from corrupt and polluted conversations.
If we continue to compromise for the sake of being approved by others, it will change our character and years later we may be surprised as to who we have become!
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he gave them two (See Matthew 22:36-40). One was to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and and the other one was to love their neighbor as themselves. The beauty of our walk with the Lord is that it boils down to these two verses. Is God pleased with our actions, conversations, and agreements? Would we want others to be treated like we are treating others? If it passes those two tests, then we can be more confident that we have not compromised and falsely agreed with others for the sake of their approval.
Examine your agreements with others and see if there are areas that you may compromised for the sake of peace or not losing a relationship. It is time to shore up our lives from anything that cause pollution and causes be yoked to ungodliness!