We're going to be examining how to approach voting in 2024. The first thing every Christian should understand is that they have a responsibility to participate in the political process. In my perspective, you are abdicating the command of Romans 13, which says to submit to government authorities, by refusing to participate in the political process.
It's messy, but we've got to do it. God's given us that gift of being able to vote for our leaders, so we ought to use that gift and responsibility wisely.
First, let's talk about how to approach the election process. It's important to realize that we're going to have to fight against the stream of how everything is portrayed in our political system.
The political process is often portrayed as a personality contest. Who is more likeable? Who is more fun? Who is more social? Who would I like to have a drink with? I'd like to suggest to you today, that this is a very bad way to approach considering who you'd vote for.
Instead, we should be looking at policy. What policies would the candidate in question institute? Policy is everything. Policy is unfortunately not often the main focus of our news media, who are much more focused on clicks, views, and sensationalism.
But at the end of the day, how much you like the candidate should not be the metric. Because it doesn't matter how much we like the person in question. What matters is, will they institute policies that will protect my freedoms? Will their policies result in positive economic conditions? Will their policies institute moral principles? Or will they institute evil and immoral practices?
I do understand that personality and disposition do play a part. It just does. And it should. Do they have the disposition to be president? Do they have the right demeanor? Do they have the right values? That should be a determination. But it should not be the chief determination. The chief determination should be policy.
Understand that everything in politics is about talking points, power, and manipulation. Talking points by parties and the news media have been carefully crafted to manipulate your emotional responses. That's why it's so incredibly important to "think twice." It's also very important to hear both sides on an issue.
The book of Proverbs says, "In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines." -Proverb 18:17
Talking points are intended to cause a visceral emotional reaction that makes it difficult for us to use our mind to evaluate the emotion. This is what causes outrage culture. But if we can control our emotional response and temper it with data and facts, we can come to the truth of an issue. If we allow our emotions to run rampant, we'll be easily manipulated by political parties with agendas.
For a Christian, we understand that the world is not our friend. We understand that there are deeper things going on than political agendas or corporate lobbying. There is a kingdom of the air, controlled by demonic forces, that quietly affects the future of the world.
There are two fundamental spiritual forces in the world, there is the kingdom the air, which is the spirit of the enemy, and there is the kingdom of God, which is the Spirit of God's agenda for the world.
The grand challenge for every believer in the election cycle is to discover which candidate or party is more aligned with God's agenda.
The enemy's chief weapon is deception, lies. That's his chief power over us, to lie to us. And if we believe the lie it traps us in deception.
Many Christians unfortunately end up in lockstep with the agenda of the spirit of the age. But we as Christians should march to a different drum, the agenda of the kingdom of God.
What are the key issues each election cycle?
-Religious freedom is always hugely important for Christians to consider, will our right to believe and our right to pray and our right to share our faith be protected?
-Abortion is always a hugely important issue for Christians, will the party in power protect unborn children?
-The economy is a very important issue for Christians, will the policies of the leader in power help or harm the economy?
-The southern border is very important for Christians: What policies on immigration best balance justice with mercy?
-Foreign Policy is vital as well: Will the administration in power be more and less likely to administer peaceful relations between world powers? And how is that best achieved? Peace through strength or diplomatic negotiations?
-Taxes: What is the candidates view on taxes, increase or decrease? All this affects the lives of every day Americans
-Equality/Racial Justice: Where do the candidates stand on justice issues? Would they work toward biblical justice? Or would they implement worldly ideologies like critical race theory?
-Education: Public vs. private schools. Does the candidate support school vouchers? What about homeschooling issues for Christians?
-Definition of Marriage: Do the candidates in question support a biblical definition of marriage?
As we evaluate all these policy issues, the goal for the Christian is to make sure we are voting our values.
What if I can't stand either candidate? Often elections feel like having to choose between the lesser of two evils. That is greatly unfortunate. I've often felt that way myself. In the past I've even voted 3rd party, for the Constitution party candidate or the libertarian candidate, or others. But we also have to factor in how likely it is that our preferred candidate could win. So in the end I've often held my nose and voted for what I felt was the lesser of two evils. But I think its advisable to vote third party if we can't quite stomach the two major party options.
The one thing I believe is completely unacceptable is simply sitting out the election due to frustration. We've been given, by God the amazing right to vote for our leaders. Throughout the last few thousand years of human history that was never an option. The people suffered under the rule of dictators and kings. To ignore our voting right and sit it out just because it feels messy or frustrating isn't good enough. We should feel an obligation to vote. And we should vote very carefully. Because many things depend on who has power in the nations of the world. Yet ultimately, God is in control. And we can trust Him, pray, and keep praying for nation and it's future.
Links:
Non-partisan Side by Side comparison of liberal vs. conservatives political positions
