Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 6 v 14 - 18: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."The usual application of the word 'yoke' is when oxen are yoked together to pull a cart or a plough. The yoke over their necks keeps them at a fixed distance apart so they don't go in wrong directions. It keeps them on a strait (disciplined) and narrow path.
If we are unevenly yoked it would be like yoking together a racehorse and a donkey. It would be chaotic, frantic, panicky and unproductive. So we are cautioned to not get into tangles like that.
The uneven yoke can refer to Christians marrying unbelievers which will cause problems and discord later. It can be a business partnership with unbelievers that could compromise your integrity. The Father says come out from among them and be separated unto Me.
We can become unevenly yoked to a ministry that is following the doctrines of man, or traditions that contradict the will of God. It can be extremely difficult to break that yoke of loyalty and devotion, but follow the leading of Jesus, who had to stand against the religious leaders in Jerusalem even at the cost of His life.
Jesus says we must come to Him if our burdens are too heavy and He will refresh us. He says we should take His yoke upon us because it is light and not burdensome. His burden is so light that it actually benefits us.
In Isaiah 58 the Lord says we must fast to break the yoke of oppression. Sin and demons are the oppressors which yoke us into evil or criminal activities. We are oppressed by illegal drugs that destroy our lives; or alcoholism; or sexual sin. We are robbed by oppressors who hijack us, rape and steal from us. Corrupt government officials oppress us. False religions destroy our faith and bring oppression like fear and bondage to men.
To break the yoke of these oppressors can be achieved by fasting on water only for three days and getting your life right with God. If every Christian would fast three days to remove oppressive governments we would see the chains of evil broken and the oppressed go free. The chains of drug and alcohol addiction can be broken by fasting and prayer.
Matthew 17 v 18 - 21: "And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Other oppressive uneven yokes are formed through adultery, child abuse and pre-marital sex. These sexual yokes form "soul ties" which are demonic holds that cause great anguish and sorrow. You need to break the power of that person or persons hold over you, whereby they have manipulated you, blackmailed you, bound you through fear and tormented you.
Start by forgiveness of all you have suffered. It is your choice to forgive them whether they know or not. You cannot break the yoke if there is bitterness and revenge in your heart. Then command them by name to release you from their grip.
EG: John I forgive you for hurting and tormenting me. I command that you release me now and break this binding yoke. In Jesus' name. Praise the Lord for the victory until you feel His wonderful peace.
Are you bound by drugs, alcohol, sex or jealousy? Use the prayer above addressing the thing that holds you in its grip......Cocaine, or, Crystal Meth, or Vodka, or Beer, Adultery, Porn, or Jealousy, I reject your hold over me and my dependence on you. I bind you and command you to leave me. I belong to Jesus Christ, He is my Lord. Go from me in Jesus's name.
The Christian life is a life that does not conform to this world. It is a life totally submitted to the will of God in which self is crucified and you sing I Surrender All and mean it. The rewards of this life are a very intimate walk with Jesus matched with powerful authority in the spirit realm. A life where you have the liberty to do whatever you like but choose not to because you love the Lord Jesus Christ with such intensity.
The consecrated life is blessed by the Lord in that every need is met and you have a deep awareness of other's spiritual needs.
So take this time to break every yoke that has brought you into bondage and given you heavy burdens to carry. Jesus is waiting for you to roll these burdens onto Him because He cares for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father You looked on the burdens of the Jews in Egypt and You sent a Deliverer called Moses. Thousands of years later You saw their burdens under the Romans and You sent a Messiah and Deliverer called Jesus Christ. He still delivers us from burdens and demons to this day. Let us heed Your Word and submit to His deliverance so that we can humbly wear His light yoke on our shoulders. In Jesus' name. Amen