This chapter presents and interesting message in how we are to deal with unbelievers. In it, Paul calls for us to not be yoked with them. On the surface, this could be in conflict with our mission to spread the gospel to unbelievers. How are we supposed to accomplish this, then, if we cannot associate with unbelievers? In looking at the wording of this passage a little closer I think this becomes a little more clear.
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." – 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Being yoked to someone paints the picture of a burden. It means we are dragged down to their level. When we associate with unbelievers we must be cautious not to fall prey to the temptations of sin. That is the burden Paul references being yoked to. Those who do not believe often don't have the same concepts of sin and salvation that believers have. They have a different perspective in that way. To me, there is a difference between simply associating with people that don't believe in Christ's message and being yoked to them. If we are yoked to them it means we are brought down by their desires without having the strength to stand up for our own.
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