The person you’re equally yoked with is your love language. This person is a helpmate that embraces your purpose. Your relationship with God doesn’t scare them. It draws them closer to you to experience love. They get you in a way that gives you peace to be who you are. –Melvin Davis
Factoring in that I’m still single, I can’t write a blog about what it feels like to be with someone who’s equally yoked with me, however, I can offer some key points for identifying someone who’s not. I credit my past experiences and intimate relationship with God. Both help me avoid disappointment. So here are 5 ways to identify someone who’s not equally yoked with you.
- They’re still playing the field. They’re not ready for a commitment.
If one person is ready for a relationship, and the other is still playing the field, it’s not going to work. Wanting two things in life is a sign that you’re in two places in life. You’re unequally yoked by default of bad timing.
Given my purpose, and how I’m growing, evolving, and maturing in Christ, I’m beginning to see myself as a particular kind of woman. Her shape or form hasn’t changed much, but the inner part of a woman has. Besides having the fun personality to balance me and take me out of my world (I’m a thinker,) and an intellect that makes conversation intriguing, I can’t see myself being with a woman who’s less self-assured and less confident in herself. And if she doesn’t have a desire to know Christ or get closer to Him, the relationship is going to shatter.
I see myself being with a woman with strong faith. Strong faith equates to spiritual and emotional maturity and a sound and centered mind. It would be difficult for us to speak the same love language if her faith is lacking because it would be difficult for her to understand the ways I desire to communicate and love her. I say this with strong emphasis: Faith has a language of its own. Where a person is at in their faith will also convey how well your purpose is received. I’ll go in-depth later.
What you’re searching for in life has a lot to do with how well you know yourself or where you are in Christ. If you’re still playing the field, it is because you haven’t discovered the person you are in God. This really isn’t a negative thing. In my youth, I wanted to be with women who were way more spiritually mature than I was. Looking back, I couldn’t fault them for choosing to part ways with me. They saw that I didn’t know who was in Christ, so I sort of played the field. I get it now. No one is going to invest in you when you’re keeping options open
- The person doesn’t have a desire to speak your love language.
Speaking each other love languages keeps the relationship vibrant. You simply get along well when you’re articulating the depth and surface of each other love languages. One of my love languages comes from the spirit. Here’s what I mean by that:
Being with you will also be a time spent with God. There are days when I want you to pray for me or hold hands praying with me. I also want to discuss the word of God with you, perhaps having a bible study. I see myself growing with you in God in ways you never imagined. I want to get so close to your spirit that I know you inside and out. I want to interpret what you cannot articulate with words. I want to sense how you’re feeling or what you’re thinking when we’re not in each other presence. I want us to finish each other sentences, and laugh about something that only we understand. I want to us call on when we’re facing something that’s out of our control. Do you see the picture of what a relationship looks like when God is at the center? Or, should I paint more? Speaking each other love languages makes the relationship strong and fulfilling.
- You have a differing definition of what communication is.
Isn’t it interesting how you could speak the same language, for example, English, yet still misunderstand and misinterpret each other. Well, that’s an indication that your energy and spirit are in disagreement with one another. There’s division–not unison.
I used to think I was getting punished for coming across women who talked excessively. There are people who talk a lot and they listen. Then, there are some people who just talk a lot.
Communication styles are essential to chemistry, connecting and understanding each other. If you’re getting to know someone who chits chats without being mindful that there’s such thing as a “human attention span,” and they aren’t aware that you’re there, I don’t think there’s a chance of a relationship. Not for me at least. For me, I don’t want to feel like I have to throw a snowball at you or snap my fingers to break the potty mouth trance. You shouldn’t have to interrupt or slice and dice your way into a conversation. Communication is an exchange. Not a one-way street.
Excellent communication also means listening, being conscious that someone may want to cast their opinions into the pot or interject their thoughts into a passionate conversation. Others want you to know how their day went after you told them theirs. Also, if someone is confiding in you about something they’re going through, and you switch the conversation around by turning the attention on you, something you experienced, that’s poor communication. That’s a bit absentminded. My mind roams when someone is talking too much. I’m sorry. I can’t help it. If I were in a lecture, then I would be mentally prepared for a 3-hour talk. But you shouldn’t have to feel like you’re in a lecture in a relationship. I love teaching, but sometimes that isn’t necessary when engaging a person. You’re unequally yoked if the person’s faith is not where it should be. Faith matters, IF you have a relationship with God.
I’m not talking about being “saved” or being “spiritual.” Everyone who’s spiritual doesn’t subscribe to the same spirit or is being led by the same spirit. Having a relationship means actually spending time with God and getting to know Him through prayer and reading His word. You can see where a person is spiritual if you pay attention. That’s called spiritual discernment.
If you’re dating someone who has no desire to strengthen their relationship with God, or if they acknowledge a different deity altogether, or if they’re flat-out atheist, you’re unequally yoked. I know that sounds a bit harsh and insensitive, but faith is a reality and reflection of the intimate relationships we have, whether friendship or something more. Faith also influences what kind of family you want to raise, and how you want to love your wife and children. Faith matters.
I want to say this before I move on:
God could use you to lead to someone who believes in something different, believes in nothing at all or still has a hand committed to this world to Him. Introducing someone to Christ is a beautiful end transitioning into a new beginning. So, do I overlook women because they’re not where I’m at spiritually or don’t believe in the God I serve, no! That’s not fair. I wasn’t always the man that I am today, and I still have a lot to learn. I don’t know it all. You could be the reason why someone comes to know Christ. All things are possible through God. All!
- Purpose! This is very important here. If you want to know if someone is the one for you, tell that person what your purpose in life is. Remember earlier, when I said, “I say this with strong emphasis: Faith has a language of its own. Where a person is at in their faith will also convey how well your purpose would be received.” Read further.
I lost count of the reactions I get when I tell women what I’m called to do in life lol. It’s quite interesting. Here are a few comments that I get when I tell women that I’m called to serve God in ministry.
“That’s deep.” (My all-time favorite.)
“Oh, that’s nice.” (The modest, but indifferent response.)
“That’s great. I wish you success.” (Me, really?)
“Oh okay…nods head.” (I nod my head back feeling all the awkwardness in the world.)
“Oh really.” (Yup…nodding my head)
“So you must really take your faith seriously?” (As if it’s like a hobby and not a lifestyle.)
“That would be too much pressure.” (Who are you telling? I feel the pressure already and I don’t think my ministry has begun.)
Now, the last comment is a valid one. I could see the pressure. I have many associates in ministry whose wives feel like they have to live up to high standards or be involved in ministry. That’s not fair. I’m looking for a wife to play a key role in what God has called me to do. She could support me behind the scenes. If she’s led by God to be on the forefront, so be it. I will not pressure her or allow anyone else to. I will protect her.
You don’t have to be called to do ministry or serve in the Kingdom of God to turn people away. Your life’s purpose could just require great responsibility. Great responsibility is what makes the earth tremble within a person because of the level of commitment that’s required of you or the attention that comes with the purpose. Hence, I can’t see myself being with an insecure woman.
I also can’t see myself with a woman who doesn’t understand or support my calling. I see my wife as my best friend. She is the woman I want as a companion, who I want to confide in. She’s the woman I want to say, this is what I’m thinking about without being judged. If I’m not able to do any of these things with my future wife, what’s the point of us having a relationship? There is no relationship if you have to censor who you are or omit certain topics in conversations. There’s no relationship if you object to my purpose.
Although I’m single or haven’t found the woman that God has for me–maybe I have. I do know the person you’re equally yoked with is your love language. This person is a helpmate that embraces your purpose. Your relationship with God doesn’t scare them. It draws them closer to you to experience love. They get you in a way that gives you peace to be who you are. Your soul mate is your best friend. I’ll elaborate a little more in Pt. II