The Corinthians were greatly restricted in their service, their usefulness, and their spiritual well-being. Paul identifies their condition as spiritual straitness and exhorts them to become spiritually enlarged that they might enjoy the accompanying recompense.

Because of their continued association with worldlings, these brethren were nigh the point of having recieved the grace of God in vain, that is, the grace of gospel instruction. This grace is recieved in vain when those that hear it fail to obey it's teaching. Up to this point the Corinthians had not been consistent in implementing the grace of gospel teaching. This was evident from their failure to separate themselves from ungodly former associates. The influence of these former associates, who were unbelievers, had taken its toll. It is for this reason Paul urges, "that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." (verse one) Until they repent and turn from their error, the knowledge of truth they presently possessed would be of no practical benefit to them, and additionally, they would have no usefulness in the Kingdom of God.

Yoked with unbelievers hinder spiritual enlargement
"Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:" verse 14

Paul is addressing the area in their life which had become a spiritual hinderance to them. Like them, we need to recognize what it is that holds us back spiritually. In the case of the Corinthians it was their association with unbelievers. The company they kept was causing them to be spiritually straitened. Consequently, their service was restricted to a small degree, their usefulness greatly limited, and their spiritual growth restrained.

Faulty ideas and assumptions hinder spiritual enlargement
1. wrong priorities or goals-- being accepted or popular
   When a person has faulty ideas about the value and importance of things, his goals and priorities will likely be at fault. For example, when a person overvalues the importance of being popular by worldly peers and associates, then being accepted by them becomes a priority. Sooner or later, the desire to be accepted will lead the person into shameful behavior, compromising situations, and into places he\she ought not be. For the believer this translates into a compromise of their first committment to please God and do His will.

2. assumption: “I won't be adversely affected by worldlings.”
   By necessity we are among unbelievers in the educational institutions and areas of secular employment. From a realistic stand point this can not be avoided. However, we err when we assume that we can select our friends, companions and associates from these places and not be adversely affected by it. This reveals a serious fault in our thinking.

   I find it of interest that Paul didn’t reccommend the Corinthians leave the heathen city and move to a rural or isolated area. Instead, he would have them implement godly principles in their life where they were! Believers are to have a positive impact in the morally darkened environment in which they live. However, this positive influence will occur, not by joining with unbelievers, but by separating themselves from them.

3. assumption-- friendship with worldlings can be fulfilling.
   Fulfilling relationships must be built upon a more substantial basis than the joy, the excitement, and the amusement of the moment. Believers will find that friendships based on these momentary frills will, by and by, bring bitterness.

4. assumption-- there is real common ground with worldlings.
   Unbelievers act on self-serving principles. They place their will ahead of all else. Believers act on the higher, more noble principle of service and self-sacrifice. God’s will has the priority in the life of a believer.

   Because unbelievers act on self-serving principles, they are like the chameleon. The chameleon has the ability to change colors and blend in with the environment. This ability, coupled with it's long tongue makes this lizard very effective at catching it's prey. Believers need to be aware that unbelievers possess a similar ability. Like the chameleon, when it serves their purpose, unbelievers are able to make noticeable, but tempory, external modifications in their language, attitude, and conduct. What doesn't change is their motivating principle - which is self serving. Like the chameleon, these changes are only made to catch prey or impress a potential mate.

5. assumption-- no harm in being yoked with unbelievers.
   Friendships with unbelievers will expose you to numerous temptations which you would not otherwise encounter. The predictible outcome is you risk compromising your profession of discipleship by becoming involved in activities inconsistent with your Christian profession. Such a course will insure you experience the bitterness of spiritual straitness, as did the Corinthians.

The ideas and presuppositions we hold are like adopted babies -we treat them as our own. We use them to filter and sift new information. Our tendency is to reject new information and ideas that conflict with our adopted babies. When these presuppositions and ideas are faulty, they are difficult obstacles to overcome. In some cases they are nigh impenetratable. But, like the walls of Jerico, they must be broken down if we desire to become spiritually enlarged. Let us examine the ideas we hold in the light of scripture. If they are true and godly they will endure the test. If otherwise, let us have grace to recognize it and take the appropriate action.

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