There are all kinds of opinions about how Christians should vote in 2020. I want to answer this question from a biblical perspective.
All Christians must vote
First of all, the Bible teaches that Christians must vote. Not voting is not an option for Christians.
Romans 13:1 (ESV) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
In America, we have the privilege and responsibility of living in a democracy where we can elect our government leaders by voting. We are to be subject to our authorities by utilizing our privilege to vote. Jesus said in
Matthew 5:14-15 (ESV) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
Whatever we do as Christians should shine the light of God’s truth into a dark world. That’s exactly what voting by God’s values does in America. We are not to hide our light, which would be to not vote at all.
As no candidate is perfect, some people balk at voting for the lesser of two evils. But that’ really not what voting is all about. Voting is about choosing the greatest good, the good that will shine the greatest light of God’s truth into our nation.
The choice of how to vote is easy
Our voting or judging of candidates must not be on external characteristics, such as personality, skin color, gender, race, etc. We must decide how to vote based on the policies that the candidate or party will advance. A key passage is found in
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
In this passage, God’s Word shows us how to pray for government leaders. These prayers for government leaders are to be made primarily for the church. Quite frankly, what is good for the church will be good for the rest of the country as well.
Since what we are instructed to pray for regarding our leaders is God’s will, that is also how we are to vote for our leaders. We are to pray and vote that believers may lead peaceful and quiet lives. This is accomplished when the government protects Christians, particularly their freedoms of religion, speech and assembly as guaranteed in our Bill of Rights.
Decide how to vote biblically today
As Christians, we are to uphold the sanctity of all live, especially the lives of the innocent unborn babies that are being murdered by the millions. Certainly a life terminated by a violent abortion was not a peaceful and quiet life that God desires believers to pray and vote to bring about.
Contrary to what false teachers across the church are advocating, Christians cannot vote for pro-abortion candidates because they think other issues are more important. Christians must vote for pro-life candidates at every level, federal, state and local. Pro-life candidates tend to have biblical policies on the other moral issues as well.
Of course, we acknowledge that there are no perfect candidates, nor are there perfect party platforms. Yet, as believers, according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2, we are to vote for the candidate that will best implement policies to bring about God’s will.
Download the following Voter Guide to see where the Presidential candidates stand on important biblical issues. The choice in this election is clear, Bible-believing Christians must vote according to biblical values.