Be Not Unequally Yoked

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11)
. The Christian life is not a life of compromise but of consecration. Paul’s solemn charge in Ephesians 5:11 strikes a dividing line between the children of light and the works of darkness. Fellowship with sin, sinners, and sinful practices corrupts the purity of the believer’s walk and mocks the holiness of the God we serve

. The Days of Compromise

We live in a time when the church has blurred its borders with the world. Sinners jostle with saints at the altar; the sacred and profane mingle in worship; and as Ezekiel once cried, “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean” (Ezekiel 22:26)
. The conscience, once alive to rebuke sin, is now lulled to sleep by the anthem of tolerance: “Hush you, this doesn’t matter; things can be straightened later.” But the red lines between light and darkness are God-ordained and not to be erased. “What communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?” (2 Corinthians 6:14–15)

. The Folly of Blending

When believers laugh at the jokes of the ungodly, feed on their music, drink in their philosophies, and find pleasure in their indulgences, they forget their high and holy calling. James warns bluntly: “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).To blend with the world is to betray Christ. To fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness is to dim one’s testimony and weaken one’s warfare. The devil does not mind a compromised Christianity, he thrives on it

. The Call to Separation

We are called to exclusive Christianity, to walk in holiness and distinctiveness. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
. Separation is not isolation but consecration. We live in the world but not of it (John 17:14–16). We engage with sinners to win them, but we do not sit comfortably in their company nor participate in their ungodliness. Psalm 1:1–2 defines the blessed man: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord”

. Filter Your Friendships

Friendship is influence. He who walks with wise men shall be wise, but “a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Therefore, choose carefully whom you walk with, whom you listen to, and whose values shape your heart. Not every smiling face is a safe companion; not every professing saint is a true disciple. The church is not immune to wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15)
. Filtering your company means refusing to yoke your spirit with the polluted streams of worldly entertainment, corrupted philosophies, and false brethren. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

. The Final Warning

To blend with the filthy rabble is to risk eternal ruin. The broad road is always crowded, but it “leadeth to destruction” (Matthew 7:13). If you refuse to separate now, you will regret eternally. Filter your company. Guard your soul. Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Flee the devil’s clubs, and cling to Christ’s cross. For the only safe fellowship is with the Father, the Son, and the saints who walk in truth (1 John 1:3, 7)

. Summary of Truths:

• Darkness and light cannot mix (Ephesians 5:11).
• Compromise weakens conscience and mocks holiness (Ezekiel 22:26).
• Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).
• Separation is essential for true Christianity (2 Corinthians 6:17).
• Wrong company leads to ruin; right company strengthens faith (Proverbs 13:20)

© 2025 Green Olives Christian Books. All rights reserved.

BRING NOT THE WAGES OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS INTO THE HOUSE OF GOD

The house of God is sacred, set apart for worship and service to a holy and righteous God. Bringing proceeds from sinful practices—such as fraud, bribery, theft, prostitution, human trafficking, or any form of ill-gotten wealth—into His sanctuary is an abomination (Deut. 23:18). God's work does not require the support of unrighteous wealth. Such offerings defile His holiness, undermine the integrity of the Church, and dishonor His name. Proverbs 10:2 reminds us, "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death."

Instead, believers are called to honor God with resources earned through integrity, obedience, and faithfulness. The true Church must stand firm, rejecting any contributions born of sin, trusting fully in God's provision to sustain His work (Philippians 4:19). Let us remember that the Lord delights in righteousness and purity, and His house must remain a place of holiness and reverence. The Word of God is clear and unambiguous: "You must not bring the earnings of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God to pay any vow, because the Lord your God detests them both" (Deut. 23:18). This command reflects the holy and unblemished nature of God and His expectations for the worship and sanctity of His house.

The Call to Purity in Worship

God is holy, and His dwelling place must reflect that holiness. The house of God is not a place to launder ill-gotten wealth or offer proceeds from sinful activities as tithes, offerings, or gifts. Practices such as prostitution, cheating, fraud, bribery, stealing, embezzlement, kidnapping, human trafficking, drug trade, and cybercrime, among others, produce wealth tainted by sin. These are not acceptable before a holy God. The acceptance of such funds is a mockery of God's sanctity and an insult to His righteousness. Proverbs 21:6 warns, "A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare." Similarly, Proverbs 10:2 reminds us, "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death." These truths underscore that no amount of material wealth, no matter how substantial, can replace the spiritual requirement of holiness and integrity before God.

The Tragedy of Compromised Ministries

In our times, it is disheartening to see some so-called servants of God and ministries more focused on wealth accumulation than on righteousness. They welcome funds without questioning their sources, allowing ill-gotten money to build their so-called "empires." Such ministries, driven by greed and a distorted focus on prosperity, compromise the gospel and invite God's judgment upon themselves. These practices reveal a lack of trust in God as the provider and sustainer of His work. God's kingdom does not require the support of unrighteous wealth. Proverbs 13:11 declares, "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow." Churches and ministries that embrace sinful wealth are sowing seeds of destruction. Their collapse and extinction are inevitable, for the foundation of unrighteousness cannot stand (Matthew 7:26-27).

The Responsibility of the True Church

The true Church of Jesus Christ must reject and renounce all forms of illicit financial practices and refuse to partake in the proceeds of sin. A church that honors God will uphold holiness, integrity, and righteousness, both in its teachings and its operations. The Church must be a beacon of light, pointing people to God’s standards of truth and justice. Accepting wealth from sinful practices not only desecrates the house of God but also sends a wrong message, enabling sin and deterring repentance. Romans 6:1-2 admonishes us, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?"

Trusting God as Provider

God’s work is never dependent on human manipulation or sinful gains. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides (Genesis 22:14). He owns "the cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10) and is more than able to supply all the needs of His Church through righteous means (Philippians 4:19). Ministries that compromise their integrity by relying on ill-gotten wealth reveal a lack of faith in God's provision.

A Warning and a Prayer

Let this be a solemn warning to churches and ministries that desecrate the house of God with funds born of sin. Their actions will not go unpunished, for God is a righteous judge (Psalm 7:11). The Lord will visit such institutions with His heavy hand, bringing their ungodly practices to light and ensuring their ultimate downfall unless they repent. May the true Church of Jesus Christ remain steadfast in holiness and reject every temptation to compromise. Let us trust in God’s ability to provide for His work and build His kingdom through clean hands and pure hearts.

A Prayer for the Church

Heavenly Father, we pray for the cleansing of Your house. Expose and uproot every practice that defiles Your name and dishonors Your sanctity. Strengthen the leaders of Your Church to uphold righteousness and refuse any form of ill-gotten wealth. Teach us to trust fully in Your provision, knowing that You alone are our source and sustainer. May Your Church stand as a beacon of holiness, integrity, and truth in a world filled with corruption. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2025 Green Olives Christian Books. All rights reserved.