Yoke

A yoke is typified by hardship and bondage.

A yoke is a sturdy wooden harness that fits across the shoulders of an ox and couples it to another ox. The yoke is then attached to whatever the pair of oxen are to pull.

Paul warned us not to be yoked (or paired off) in marriage or a business relationship with a non-believer (2 Cor 6:14). It would be like an ox being teamed up with a horse – it just won’t work as there is no unity of principles. Although we are not to be yoked to non-believers in close associations, we must mix with them on a friendship level so we can influence them for Jesus.

We become slaves or yoked to what we have allowed ourselves to be mastered by.

Ultimately, there are only two options, to which we all give allegiance – either to God or Satan (often disguised as self). However, Christ defeated the power of sin over us on the cross and through the anointing of the Holy Spirit He wants to break every yoke of

To what am I bound or yoked? Is it God honouring?

bondage that oppresses us (Isa 10:27; Rom 6:11-22; Gal 5:1; 2 Pet 2:19; 1 Jn 3:8). With our co-operation and determination, including fasting, we can be set free by the power of God to walk in newness of life (Isa 58:6; Rom 6:4). “The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2). This is freedom from sin, to live in connection with Him, living as we should for His glory. Jesus said, “Come to me, take my yoke upon you” (Mt 11:28-30). It means Jesus is harnessed there with us; we don’t need to go it alone as
He shares our burdens. Am I 'coupled' with Jesus?

In NT times slavery was also termed a yoke, but Paul taught that slaves could demonstrate Godly values even in that situation (1 Tim 6:1,2).