Many Christians grapple with the concept of voting for the “lesser of two evils” when election season comes around. With each candidate having flaws and policies that might not align perfectly with biblical values, is it still our duty to cast a vote? Is it ever justified to choose a candidate simply because they are the “better” option, even if they don’t fully represent our beliefs?
The Bible doesn’t directly address the act of voting, but it does emphasize the importance of wisdom, discernment, and participating in the society we live in. In a fallen world, we often find ourselves choosing between imperfect options, not just in elections but in many areas of life.
So, how should we approach this dilemma as believers? Should we abstain from voting if we can’t fully support a candidate, or is it better to vote for the one whose policies align more closely with Christian values, even if they aren’t perfect? What principles do you use when deciding how to vote?
Let’s discuss this challenging but important issue.
Abstaining from voting is not an option. You want a say, you vote. Choose the topics that hit closest to your heart, RESEARCH, and pray long and hard about it, and vote for whom He leads you.
Do you have a Bible verse that clearly makes not voting out of the question? I mean no disrespect; I just want a firm foundation to stand on before taking a stance on anything.
No, I do not. It’s a CIVIC duty to vote. Yeah, I know that we are in this world but not of it (John 17:14-17), but while we ARE in the world it’s our duty to have a say.
On God’s scale, evil = evil. There is no such thing as a ‘lesser’ evil. If there is only evil to vote for, I say don’t vote. Why don’t us Christians try to get our own up in places of government? Then we can vote for them. But until that happens, I say don’t vote. I don’t have any bible verses to back me up, but that’s going to be my position until someone can show me a verse that says otherwise.
One of the main reasons we are in this position is that people have voted for the lesser of two evils. Eventually, all you have to pick from is two evil people… unless, of course, you take a brave stance and vote your conscience for a third-party solution.
I do think we will see the formation of a party of moderate-to-conservatives who have been driven from the Republican Party by MAGA extremists. If it does form over the next few years, it may very well draw moderate Democrats that have suffered a similar fate.
I agree with C.H. Spurgeon, but here’s a slightly different perspective from another time of great turbulence. I used to accept the position that to not vote is to throw away a vote or to somehow vote for someone else. I now feel that I have the right to vote or not vote as my Christian conscience leads.
Many have taken Charles Spurgeon out of context and applied his words to the world of voting . “Spurgeon’s “of the lesser of two evils, choose neither” quote was NOT REMOTELY ABOUT POLITICS. It was about an unloving heart and an unsound mind.”
Anthony-- when you can’t find a specific verse to apply to some situation or circumstance, try to apply a biblical principle.
When God handed Israel an opportunity for a fresh start and they were permitted to enter a land to make their own— there was a change in leadership. Moses had been leading the people for more than 40 years-- literally, quite aimlessly. He had a very checkered past and made many mistakes that cost them dearly. Yet-- God was faithful to His promise. Joshua was appointed to lead. At the start he said to the people–
The LORD your God is giving you a place to settle and is handing this land over to you.
And at the end of his life he once again instructed them all-- “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
The principle is first of all, you always have a choice and secondly-- you have a responsibility to choose.
So when his ‘Vice-President’ (right-hand, second in command, protege) took hold of the reins-- Joshua-- he instructed the people
This is extreme naivity-- or misplaced enthusiasm. It’s a little ridiculous.
Of course, there is such a thing as lessor evil, just as there is such a thing as “less sugar.” If you are concerned about your health or your weight, you choose those less-sugary options and if you are concerned about your country, you choose the lessor evil. It might make you feel like you are taking a stand of some sort in your approach, but the fact is, you are acting irresponsibly. When you refuse to choose the 'less evil" you are also refusing to support the ‘more good.’
Rather than exerting a positive influence in the right direction, you would be squandering your ability to have any influence at all. That’s willfully allowing the degradation you are witnessing. Doing nothing isn’t a choice at all-- it’s a surrender to the evil you shun.
Frankly, I’m surprised with your view given who you work for. Setting that aside for the moment-- do you think doing nothing (not voting) is a viable option that will get America going in the right direction?
Seriously… if every “Christian” stayed home this election, clutching their handkerchiefs and pearls… What would be the outcome? Harris would win of course… You’d have MORE of every problem we have endured these last four years. More abortions would be funded, more wars would be started, more illegal immigrants would be welcomed and everything would be more expensive.
Can you honestly see God voting for the lesser evil? It’s the same thing when people say they told a ‘half-truth.’ Logic leads me to ask, “Then what’s the other half?” A lie. God’s scale is different that man’s scale. He said that evil = evil. We say that there are 3+ categories of evil. We, as Christians, must abide by God’s standards. He’s on a totally different plane than we are. I don’t mean an airplane, I mean a different plane. Like you learned about in math.
