INTRODUCTION

Scripture plainly reveals that God repeatedly calls for His people to separate from the world. This separation extends to every aspect of life, especially including the marriage bond. Why? Because God knows the very real danger that unbelievers pose to believers by drawing them away from Him (Deuteronomy 7:3-4 [3] Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. [4] For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
See All...; Judges 3:6-7 [6] And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. [7] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
See All...; 1 Kings 11:2Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
See All...). This is why God specifically instructed His people in both the Old and New Testament to marry among themselves (Jew with Jew and Christian with Christian). The nation of Israel was forbidden to yoke up with the surrounding nations because Israel would adopt heathen practices and the worship of false gods (Exodus 34:15-16 [15] Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; [16] And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.
See All...). Though God’s commands for the New Testament believer are often different from His plan for the Jew, in this aspect they remain constant and unchangeable.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Do you love God, the things of God, and coming to His house? Ask Him to find you a spouse that feels the same as you. If you do not, your heart could be turned away from God (Amos 3:3Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
  See All...; 2 Peter 3:17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
  See All...). Consider Paul's advice to widows (1 Corinthians 7:39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): What are some scriptural examples of God’s people intermarrying with the heathen? Did the unbeliever or heathen turn the heart of the believer away from God and what is right?
• What are some practical reasons that believers should never yoke up with nonbelievers in marriage? How could marriage lead to future troubles?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God for wisdom in making choices for marriage.
• Ask the Lord to protect future generations through godly homes.

HYMN

GOD, GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES!

Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.