Unholy alliances are alliances, connections or relationships with others that are unacceptable to God and dangerous for us. Such connections might appear beneficial or even godly, but in truth these are connections that should be ended and avoided.

Here are some ways to determine unholy alliances. Keep in mind that this list isn't exhaustive.

1. These 'Allies' Don't Believe in God or Have Christ Jesus as Lord

Yes, we can be friends with unbelievers for the sake of reaching out to them and winning them to Christ.

However, being equally yoked with them is dangerous. There are only two sides in this spiritual war: either we belong to the Kingdom of Light or the kingdom of darkness. You can only choose one.

"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?" (1 Corinthians 10:21-22)

2. These 'Allies' Introduce Compromise

1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us, "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'"

It's true, and when we get ourselves tangled in an unholy alliance, we will find ourselves doing things we will later regret and be ashamed of before the Lord.

Keep in mind that Satan will always try to corrupt God's children and entice them to sin. The devil even tempted Christ while He was alone (read Matthew 4:1-11). How much more will the devil attempt to derail us when we're with ungodly people?

3. These 'Allies' Seek to Turn Us Away from God

Unholy alliances also strive to turn us away from God. One classic example is that of Ahab's wife Jezebel, who introduced Baal worship in Israel.

Jezebel, the daughter of the Sidonian king Ethbaal, sought to kill the Lord's prophets and stifle the prophetic voice in the land of Israel. It took a miracle through the prophet Elijah for the people to realise that God is the Lord, and Baal is a counterfeit. (read 1 Kings 16-18)

Unholy alliances will always influence us against God. Read how the Bible described Israel's King Ahab: "No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord's sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel." (1 Kings 21:25)

How to Break Free from Them

It's always better to avoid making an alliance with someone who is against the Lord, but what do we do when we're already in one? Don't worry, there's hope.

If the unholy alliance is a sinful relationship, or membership to a cult, or some sort of ungodly connection to a certain person or group, choose to break free and stay away from it. We shouldn't even apologise for leaving relationships that are against God's will.

If you find yourself being manipulated by another for selfish gain, break away from it. Don't be embittered, but instead thank God that you can be set free from a connection that hinders you from living your life for God alone.

If you are married to an unbeliever, follow what the Word of God says. Don't strive to cut the marriage because it is a covenant unto the Lord. Rather, the believing spouse must bring holiness to the marriage (see 1 Corinthians 7:14), and desire to win their spouse unto the Lord.

Do your best to stay away from unholy alliances and live free for the Lord's purposes.