What should a Christian do if he or she is married to an unbeliever?

Answer

Being married to an unbeliever can be one of the most challenging situations for a Christian. Marriage is a sacred covenant that unites two individuals into one flesh “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5). It can be quite challenging for a believer and an unbeliever to coexist peacefully (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). If one spouse converts to Christianity after marriage, the inherent difficulties of living under different beliefs become evident quickly.

Often, individuals in this scenario may consider ending the marriage, believing it is the only way to honor God. However, His Word states otherwise. It is crucial not only to find contentment in our circumstances but also to seek ways to glorify Him through our challenges “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them” (1 Corinthians 7:17). The Bible specifically addresses those married to unbelievers in 1 Corinthians 7:12-14: “…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…”

Christians married to unbelievers should pray for the Holy Spirit’s strength to help them profess their faith in Christ and live according to the light of the gospel.God’s presence “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”, (1 John 1:7). They should seek God’s transforming power to change their hearts and produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). A Christian wife is obligated to have a submissive heart, even toward her unbelieving husband “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;”, (1 Peter 3:1), and she will need to remain close to God and rely on His grace to enable her to do so.

Christians are not meant to live solitary lives; they need to find support from outside sources such as the church and Bible study groups. Being married to an unbeliever does not alter the sacredness of the relationship, so it should be the priority of every Christian to pray for his or her spouse and set a good example, allowing Christ’s light to shine brightly “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”, (Philippians 2:14). May the truth found in 1 Peter 3:1—that an unbelieving spouse is “won over”—be the hope and goal of every Christian who is married to an unbeliever.