I Converted, My Husband Didn’t

Q

Five years ago I left the Mormon faith because I came to receive Christ as my Saviour. I was and still am married to a Mormon man. In my heart I feel that I should follow scripture and stay with the unbeliever I am married to, since divorce is not approved by God. But scripture also says to be not yoked with unbelievers.

My husband has no qualms about me being a believer, but prohibits me from talking “religion” in the home, or discussing it with his family. (He is a non-participating member of his church) I sometimes feel very restricted about sharing the “good news” of Jesus because of my husband. I feel it is Biblically correct to follow his request since he is the head of the home.

I do not want to cause problems concerning the marriage because I also feel that by staying in the marriage, God may be using me to reach my husband. Sometimes I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place. Could you please share some insight concerning this situation? I would very much appreciate some input.

A

The admonition against being unequally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14) applies only to those who aren’t already married. Post-marriage converts should give greater credence to the verse about staying with an unbelieving spouse as long as the spouse agrees, as yours does. (1 Cor. 7:13) And I also agree with respecting your husband’s wishes about talking religion in the home.

I can only imagine what it must feel like to be unsure of your spouse’s eternal destiny. But the Lord has a word of advice for you. And as you might expect it’s a good one. It’s found in 1 Peter 3:1-2;

“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”