How do I decide who to vote for?
Question:
My question has to do with voting. Since I am able to vote, are there any Bible verses for which I can turn to for deciding who to vote for? It is important for me to select the best candidate for running this country.
Thanks!
Answer:
Christians ought to participate in their government.
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing" (Romans 13:1-6).
Our government allows us to vote for those we would like to represent our interests. Not every citizen of every government has the same privilege. But what we first need to keep in mind is that no matter how the voting results, God's going to have in authority those He wants there. As Daniel pointed out, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding" (Daniel 2:20-21). That is sometimes hard to grasp because some rulers are obviously poor rulers.
Our problem is we don't know everything that is going on. For example, God raised up a Pharaoh at the time of Moses who was both cruel and stubborn. The Israelites did not enjoy being slaves under him, but God wanted just this type of person in charge to prove that the Egyptian gods did not exist and to give Israel extra protection later because other nations would fear Israel's God.
In making choices, remember that you want someone who represents your interests. You are not necessarily looking for who promises the most or who stirs the crowds the most. Which candidates have values similar to your own which will lead them to make decisions similar to the ones you would make? You are never going to find the ideal candidate because we are all individuals. Our choices and moral stances are not the same, though they ought to conform to God.
Knowing you are never going to get perfect, you settle for the closest you can find. And realize that however you vote, God's choice will win for whatever purpose He has in mind.
