1 Corinthians 7:1-16

God wants to use us to influence others to believe.  We read over and over again of the importance of our testimony.  Our testimony isn't only the story of the big changes God has made in our lives, but it is also how we approach every day.  We live out our story day in and day out as we encounter people where they are.  A trip to the grocery store, the bank or the Department of Motor Vehicles offers us the opportunity to share our story.  Our actions speak louder than words; we have many chances to make someone's day better by our attitude or lack of attitude as the case may be.

The scripture today reveals this through a different light.  We are instructed to be equally yoked, meaning a Christian should not marry a non-believer.  But, when two non-believers marry and one of them accepts Christ into their hearts, the Word tells us this is an opportunity to witness. Our actions could bring the unbelieving spouse to accepting Christ.  The word sanctified means: holy, consecrated, blessed.

"To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband." (1 Corinthians 7:12-14)


Our witness to the world changes lives; how we act in everyday situations is important.  We must always remember that we are being watched; by God and by our neighbors.


Read the 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 text here.  Listen to an audio reading of 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 here.