Introduction
Is it possible to honor God while participating in a political system? In this crucial election year, we look at how Christians can balance faith and civic duty. Should our choices be driven by biblical principles or secular values? Are the two related? As the 2024 elections approach, many Christians find themselves torn between faith and politics.
Should you vote for the Democratic candidates Harris and Walz or the Republican candidates Trump and Vance? The campaigns are in full swing as Joe Biden has stepped aside to allow Kamala Harris to run for the office of president, thereby creating a shift towards the Democrats according to the polls. Have you watched the Democratic National Convention (DNC), the Republican National Convention (RNC), or any of their campaign speeches? Who are your church leaders encouraging you to support, and most importantly who are you leaning towards?
In some countries, Christians are openly oppressed and persecuted. They have no input in determining who their leaders are and how they should be governed. Even in countries that claim to be democratic, it is evident that the Westminster system no longer works as it should. The people elected to serve have for decades now become dictators to the citizens who elect them, instead of serving them. The election period is probably the only time we hear about, “serving you the people”. We would have to be blind not to see what happens during the intervening period! Our views are not truly represented as many factors and forces influence political governance, moving it away from what, “We the people” truly want. This has caused many persons, Christians included, to no longer register or cast their vote.
In the USA Christians have the right to choose political parties and leaders to represent themselves and their families. That is not to say there are no other factors that threaten their faith and the freedom to practice it or that their religious freedom is not slowly being stripped away. We all know that the right to vote did not come easily for many groups in our country and should not be taken for granted. For Christians, however, our main aim is to please God by living according to his Word. Our hope is not in this world, nor is it in man. Our hope is to live and reign with Christ when he returns. Does the Bible offer guidance on whether or not we should vote and how we should vote?
Earthly Leadership through Political and Governmental Structures
Exodus 18:17-26 tells the story of the advice given to Moses by Jethro his father-in-law. God had chosen Moses to lead the people of Israel, but he was being worn out by the numerous issues that the people presented to him daily. In this passage, Jethro told Moses that he must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to God. That he should, “teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves.” Jethro told Moses that this would make his load lighter because the people would share the responsibility. Moses was the husband of Zipporah, Jethro’s daughter so Jethro had a vested interest in seeing Moses do well.
We can take this as an early form of government similar to our government today. The United States government is divided into three branches by the Constitution: legislative, executive, and judicial. These branches are separate but equal, and each has its own powers and responsibilities. The separation of powers is intended to prevent any one person or group from having too much power:
Legislative branch (God gave the laws at the outset)
Makes the laws. This branch is made up of Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress can also limit the president’s power.
Executive branch (Moses assisted by his brother Aaron)
Enforces the laws. This branch includes the president, vice president, and cabinet. The executive branch can appoint judges and ambassadors, call Congress into session, veto bills, and issue executive orders.
Judicial branch (the men Moses appointed as officials)
Interprets the laws. This branch includes the Supreme Court and other courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court (represented by Moses in this scenario) in the country, and its justices interpret laws based on the Constitution. The judicial system also includes lower courts in each state that hear cases involving federal issues.
All three branches of government have their main offices in Washington, D.C.
Let’s look at a later story related to that decision and foundation laid. In Numbers 13 twelve spies were sent to Canaan. Their mission was to see what the land was like: whether the people who lived there were strong or weak, how many people were there, was the soil fertile or poor, were the cities open camps or fortified, was it a rich or poor area, were there trees, and to bring back some fruits (Numbers 13:18–20).
Ten of the twelve spies said that Israel wouldn’t be able to go against the people of the land because they were too strong for them and told of giants that were so large that the Israelites were like grasshoppers in comparison. This caused all the people to grumble against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 14:1–2).
Joshua, another spy, joins Caleb in his minority report. They tell the people that, if the LORD is pleased with them, He will bring them into the land and give it to them. Joshua and Caleb begged the people not to rebel against the LORD and not to fear the people of the land because the LORD had removed their protection. The people decided to stone them. The Lord became angry with the people and punished them by allowing them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years and die there, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb. The next generation was then allowed to possess Caanan.
The moral of this story is that the Lord will hold us responsible for the actions taken in the country whether we vote or not because we have the right to vote and influence the outcome. Those who were silent died in the wilderness also. Proverbs 14:34 tells us, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”
Bible Verses That Relate to Human Government
It is the duty and responsibility of every Christian to vote and to vote for leaders who promote Christian principles. God is most certainly in control, but that does not mean we should do nothing to further His will. We are commanded to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4). In terms of politics and leadership, there is evidence in Scripture that God has been displeased with our choices of leadership at times (Hosea 8:4).
The evidence of sin’s grip on this world is everywhere. Much of the suffering on earth is because of godless leadership (Proverbs 28:12). Scripture gives Christians instructions to obey legitimate authority unless it contradicts the Lord’s commands (Acts 5:27-29; Romans 13:1-7).
Titus 3:1-11 tells us we are saved to do good, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,”
Romans Chapter 13 instructs us to submit to governing authorities. Verse 1 states, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 states, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Daniel 2:20-21, “and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”
Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17, and Luke 20:20 tell us to pay our taxes.
Matthew 22:21: In this verse, Jesus responds to a question about whether it’s lawful to pay taxes to Caesar by saying, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s”. Jesus avoids a trap by showing that paying taxes to the civil government is necessary.
As born-again believers, we ought to strive to choose leaders who will be themselves led by our Creator (1 Samuel 12:13-25).
What If Political Parties or Candidates Demonstrate Ungodliness?
Acts 5:29
“Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”
Proverbs 14:34
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”
Proverbs 21:1
“In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.”
Proverbs 29:2
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
Psalms 22:28
“For dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.”
Psalms 146:3-10 puts the matter into perspective, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”
Candidates or agendas that violate the Bible’s commands for life, family, marriage, or faith should not be supported (Proverbs 14:34). Candidates that state or show they have no regard for God should not get your vote. Christians should vote as led through prayer and study of God’s Word and the realities of the choices on the ballot.
Should Christians Abstain from Voting in Elections?
Members of Christian denominations such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christadelphians, the Old Amish Order, the Hutterites, and the Exclusive Brethren do not participate in political elections. They base this on Christ’s statements that His kingdom does not belong to this world, interpreting it that earthly politics must be rejected. Other religions including the Bahai and Rastafarians do not participate in partisan politics. Satmar Hasidic Judaism rejects the state of Israel being created before the return of the Messiah, therefore members of this group refuse to vote in Israel.
There may be circumstances where there is no godly choice so a person may choose not to vote. There are candidates who slander, tell lies, and support ungodly practices. Those who belong to the church, the bride of Jesus Christ, should not have anything to do with such candidates or political parties. Some may say choose the lesser of the two evils, but wouldn’t that still be a choice of evil?
How do we compare, as the church in America, and as a nation, to the description of Jerusalem given in Ezekiel 6:49–52: “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done. Bear your disgrace, for you have furnished some justification for your sisters. Because your sins were more vile than theirs, they appear more righteous than you. So then, be ashamed and bear your disgrace, for you have made your sisters appear righteous.”
How are we not ashamed of some of the representations and agendas put before us? I cringe when I hear the people chanting as if in a trance at political rallies. Sometimes it appears they have not even processed what they are saying. They just obediently repeat what they are told to. Is this people worship? Even when insults are hurled at them or they are told to accept wrong, they roll right along. Are our consciences seared with hot irons? Is there no discernment? Are we blinded by the god of this world, Lucifer? Are all bad things now good and acceptable? Is evil now good and should be accepted under the banner of inclusivity? Inclusivity for which kingdom though? The Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Satan?
It is shameful to hear some Christians stoutly defend the ungodly agendas and pronouncements of their favored candidate, “He or She didn’t say that.” When the undeniable evidence is presented, they switch to, “He or she didn’t mean that.” When the leader of their choice is in office, they remind others that the Bible says we should pray for our leaders and tell them they should not criticize the leader negatively. When the tides turn and a leader not of their choosing is in office, they do what they told others not to do. This is more than a lack of integrity It reminds me of when Jesus lambasted the Scribes and Pharisees and called them, “Hypocrites” in Matthew chapter 23.
Conclusion
The Bible has given us more than enough to decide whether or not we should vote, and the criteria choose who we vote for. We have no excuse. Let us be discerning and responsible in choosing what agendas we support and who we vote for. We should vote for the candidates and the party aligned with the Kingdom of Light, not the Kingdom of Darkness. This does not mean they will be perfect because none of us are, but there are important qualities to look for.
It has been made clear that countries are adopting a global agenda some of which go against the teachings of the Bible and will continue to impact us negatively. Regardless of which political party is in power or who becomes the new president that will not change. What can change is how quickly certain things will happen and the force with which they are implemented. When candidates tell you who they are and what they stand for check to see how it aligns with the word of God. Finally, listen to the still small voice within you to guide you and honor the Lord Jesus Christ with your choices.