Articles
Do Not Be Yoked with Unbelievers
God's people should not put themselves in a yoke with unbelievers. Unfortunately, Christians do this more than they realize. Christians did it when Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians, and it is a problem for us today.
Syncretism is the practice of combining different beliefs and various schools of thought. It involves merging or assimilating several distinct traditions, especially in the theology and mythology of religions. In biblical times, this could include mixing pagan religions with Judaism or Christian beliefs. God warned Israel about syncretism when he gave them the Ten Commandments: “Do not have other gods besides me " (Exodus 20:3 CSB).
Syncretism could and often did involve mixing Christian doctrine with Greek philosophies. Paul warned Timothy against it, writing, "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.” (1 Tim. 6:20-21 NIV11) Paul warned the brothers and sisters in Colosse, writing, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Col. 2:8 ESV)
Joshua called the Israelites out of syncretism to an unadulterated relationship with God. “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Jos. 24:14-15 ESV)
Abraham was called out of Chaldea and Haran to become the people of God. Israel was called out of Egypt to “be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” (Ex. 6:7 ESV) Israel was called out of Babylon to be the people of God. All the great examples of faith listed in Hebrews 11 came out of the swamp of the world.
Christians live in the world and must deal with it as it is. It is not our place to judge the world; judgment belongs to God (1 Cor. 5:13). Our responsibility is to refrain from aligning with or joining worldly ideologies. There are many false philosophies and ideologies. Various theories must not seduce us. Every generation faces them. The early church was plagued by Stoicism, Epicureanism, Gnosticism, and mystery cults. In 19th and 20th century America, brethren were seduced by manifest destiny, nationalism, German rationalism, eugenics, Marxism, communism, the sexual revolution, Bircherism, modernism, and post-modernism. Brothers and sisters who promote or align themselves with these philosophies hurt the cause of Christ!
Our generation is also called out of this world. We must not be seduced by “the spirit that is now energizing the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2). We cannot and should not align ourselves with the idea that America is a Christian nation. We should not get caught up in social justice ideologies that promote sinful practices, such as homosexuality. We cannot support ideologies that advocate for personhood, allowing for the mutilation of the body, abortion, and euthanasia. We should not whitewash politicians, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.” (1 Tim. 5:22 ESV). Paul reminded the Philippians and us that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Phil. 3:20 ESV)
Paul taught the Corinthians, who were attempting to syncretize Christianity with paganism and Greek philosophy, "Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 ESV) Brothers and sisters, "do not be yoked together with those who do not believe."
One final thought. If this article makes you mad or uncomfortable, could you ask yourself why? Perhaps you have syncretized your religion.
