The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
No matter how it happens, it can be a challenge living with an unbelieving spouse. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
This scripture is often quoted with regards to being married to an unbeliever. But what if you are already married to an unbeliever or you get saved and your spouse is not? 1 Peter 3:1 indicates that you should not divorce an unbelieving spouse; in fact, your faith can be instrumental in bringing your husband or wife to Christ.
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own 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, 1 Peter 3:1
If you become a Christian and your spouse is not, you have the best chance of leading your spouse to Christ. And it might not be the way you think. There are all sorts of ways to lead others to Christ. Naturally, we think of the “normal” way – telling about Jesus, the retirement plan (I generally skip the sanctification plan until I have them hooked – no need to scare them off!), and the life enhancement plan. I also skip the part about Satan coming after you until after the prayer part, and then you have to tell, but many (sadly) don’t listen and fall smack in the middle of the Parable of the Sower.
The two things you have access to that are powerful in combination are prayer and the household. You, by virtue of dwelling there, have access to walk every room in your house and pray for God to reveal Himself through you; speak your faith aloud and claim your family for Jesus and stand in the gap. This is a powerful combination. Be aware that hell will break loose in your home, because Satan is not going to take this lying down, but he is defeated. So when he comes at you, throw it right back, and keep on praying.
Here is my example. I had been married for 10 years when I actually got saved, by developing a relationship with Jesus. When that happened, I was on fire. During my daily commute, I listened to Bible teaching on the radio. I purchased, and began to read, the New International Version of the Bible. I already had several KJV Bibles in my house, but had never read any of them.
About this time, my home became a war zone. Thankfully, God had equipped me with a wonderful teaching on spiritual warfare. The lesson was about how Satan works, and was part of a radio program titled “Walk in the Word.” Pastor James MacDonald said, “You know it’s Satan when…” Then he gave some examples, one being, you know it’s Satan when the opposition is outrageous. That means that when situations arise that are way above what is normal, Satan is working overtime to get to you.
Every night was a war zone at my house. I would go into my room, shut the door and say, right out loud, You cannot have my husband; I claim my husband and my family for Jesus. The next night, something else would happen. I would go in my room, shut the door and say, You still cannot have him; I claim my family for the Kingdom. One day, not too many days beyond my intercession, my husband accepted Jesus as well!
It is very difficult to be in a situation where you are on fire for God, but your spouse is fighting you at every turn. He makes fun of going to church. She makes snide comments about your behavior, or others in the church. You know what things Satan throws at us, but you must press on, because God loves your spouse – believing or not – and longs for him or her to be saved even more that you do.
There is no one who will fight for your spouse like you can. I know you may feel discouraged and disgusted sometimes. If the love is gone, you bring it back. You be Jesus. Someone’s very soul is at stake.
