Important Facts and Principles
13
prived of the counsel of the wise, God-fearing patriarch. The influence
of his wife and the associations of that wicked city would have led him
to apostatize from God had it not been for the faithful instruction he
had early received from Abraham. The marriage of Lot and his choice
of Sodom for a home were the first links in a chain of events fraught
with evil to the world for many generations.
No one who fears God can without danger connect himself with
one who fears Him not. “Can two walk together, except they be
agreed?” (
Amos 3:3
). The happiness and prosperity of the marriage
relation depend upon the unity of the parties; but between the believer
and the unbeliever there is a radical difference of tastes, inclinations,
and purposes. They are serving two masters, between whom there
can be no concord. However pure and correct one’s principles may
be, the influence of an unbelieving companion will have a tendency
to lead away from God.... The marriage of Christians with the un-
godly is forbidden in the Bible. The Lord’s direction is, “Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”
2 Corinthians 6:14, 17,
18
.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 174, 175
.
Let not unholy bonds be formed between the children of God and
the friends of the world. Let there not be marriages made between
believers and unbelievers. Let the people of God take their stand firmly
for truth and righteousness.—
The Review and Herald, July 31, 1894
.
Great care should be taken by Christian youth in the formation of
friendships and in the choice of companions. Take heed, lest what
you now think to be pure gold turns out to be base metal. Worldly
[18]
associations tend to place obstructions in the way of your service to
God, and many souls are ruined by unhappy unions, either business
or matrimonial, with those who can never elevate or ennoble. Never
should God’s people venture upon forbidden ground. Marriage be-
tween believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God. But too often the
unconverted heart follows its own desires, and marriages unsanctioned
by God are formed. Because of this, many men and women are without
hope and without God in the world. Their noble aspirations are dead;
by a chain of circumstances they are held in Satan’s net.—
The Review
and Herald, February 1, 1906
.
God’s Claims First—Though the companion of your choice were
in all other respects worthy (which he is not), yet he has not accepted
the truth for this time; he is an unbeliever, and you are forbidden of