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2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NIV)
Warning Against Idolatry
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.” 18 And,“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 7 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
In 2nd Corinthians, Paul gives us another picture to help us fight sin. He first emphasizes that believers and unbelievers have separate and conflicting agendas. We shouldn’t be “yoked” with unbelievers. Picture two oxen yoked together; they are both doing the same work. So, even if you are married to an unbeliever, do not be “yoked” to your spouse, serving the world. Be “yoked” to Christ, serving God (see Matthew 11:29-30). Then Paul emphasizes God’s promises, quoting from 7 different Old Testament passages. By remembering and appreciating God’s promises to us, we become more motivated to purify ourselves “out of reverence for God”. (7:1).