[The following post is the featured articled in our Oct/Nov Watching & Praying Newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click and download the PDF.]

Every four years, we are bombarded by political commentary and rhetoric that claims the upcoming election is the most important election ever. Media pundits, celebrities, and politicians collaborate to produce various types of propaganda to solicit our votes. These endless attempts to persuade the general public has only produced increased division amongst Americans. Religious groups have become increasingly involved in the election process which is driving a wedge between Christians. 

Have you chosen a side yet? Have you found a candidate who represents your values? As a Christian, have you consulted God about your decision? Or have you fallen prey to the increasing darkness of the political world? 

The increased political rhetoric spoken by many famous religious leaders should deeply concern every Christian. Many of these leaders misinterpret the scriptures to promote their political views, while ignoring what the Bible says about choosing leaders (and other social issues). Let’s explore what the Bible actually has to say about the selection of leaders and voting. 

Point #1: There is no verse in the Bible that promotes the “will of the people” as a good thing. 

The primary example that comes to mind is the Jews choosing Barabbas over Jesus (Luke 23:13-25; Matt/ 27:15-25). Do not assume that human nature has changed for the better in the past 2000 years. Christians who align themselves with the will of the people ought to be cautious because we do not understand what is in the hearts of men or their motives (Jer. 17:9-10). 

Consider that voting is an expression of the will of the people. None of us can understand why others are choosing a particular candidate. Remember, the heart is deceitful. Do you think you understand the intentions of everyone who intends to vote? Can you be sure that other voters have pure intentions? The reality is that the will of the majority has historically led to chaos. Think of the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution which destroyed the lives of many. The will of man is a dangerous thing to yoke yourself to (Prov. 14:12). 

Consider that the will of the people of Israel rejected God to choose a king (I Sam. 8:4-7,19-20). In essence, this was the people voting for a new leader. They had God for a leader, but they voted for a king. This was not a special case. Israel’s history is filled with events where the will of the people could have destroyed the nation. Read Num. 14:1-4; Ex. 14:11-12; Num. 11:1-6, and Num. 21:5 for a few examples. The will of the people would rather stay in Egypt than to serve God. The majority of the people had a delusion about how great it was in Egypt as slaves!

Are you living under a delusion about how great America was before? Do you want things to go back to the way they were? Are you under the delusion that things will be better under new leadership? These questions are not to suggest that either candidate is better than the other. This current election (and the previous ones) can be likened to Rehoboam and Jeroboam who divided Israel (see 1 Kings 12). One leader was corrupt so the majority of the people chose a replacement who led the nation into idolatry. Likewise, this election is between two corrupt leaders. One will lead to the god of self-worship and the other will lead to the god of false prosperity (mammon). Do not let the desire to do whatever you want (i.e. sin) or the desire for economic access lead you into choosing a leader who will not lead to God. 

Point #2: Which one of the two candidates is a Bible believing Christian???

Look at the lives of both presidential candidates. Can you determine if either is a Bible believing Christian? Certainly not the candidate who openly supports the murder of unborn children! And certainly not the candidate who publicly claimed not to have ever repented! Can you find one Bible verse declaring that we should select non-Christian leaders? There is no such verse!!!

Read Acts 6:1-4 and Ex. 18:17-22,25. These are the clearest examples of how leaders are to be chosen when God’s people are involved. Leaders are to be honest, have a good reputation, filled with wisdom, and more importantly, filled with the Holy Spirit. Does this apply to either candidate? 

Leaders are supposed to fear God, be of the truth, and hate covetousness according to Exodus 18. Which candidate fits that description? These questions are not asked to be judgmental. They are being asked to encourage you to think about the fruits of each candidates’ words and deeds (Matt. 7:16-20). Though the cited verses are about false prophets, the principle applies to every human being. We must learn to closely examine what people do to understand where they will lead us. 

If we honestly look at the fruit of each candidate, we would know that neither is a real Christian and therefore do not deserve our vote. 

God’s Standard	Harris	Trump
Honest	No	No
Good Reputation	No	No
Filled with Wisdom	No	In business only
Filled with Holy Spirit	Does not display the fruits of the Spirit	Does not display the fruits of the Spirit
Fears God	No	Lip Service but not in Deeds
Truthful	No	No
Hates Covetousness	No	No

Point #3: God never intended human leaders to make laws. 

Please reread Ex. 18:17-22. God is the lawgiver, judge, and king over those who serve Him (Isa. 33:22; James 4:12). The wise Almighty God has already established all of the laws mankind needs, yet we have chosen to select lawgivers of our own. 

Do not dismiss the previous statement because a president is supposed to sign and execute laws. Additionally, executive orders are in effect laws, thus making the president an additional lawgiver. From the biblical perspective, no man has the right to create laws (Deut. 4:1-2; Deut. 12:32). These are the same laws the Lord Jesus Christ lived by. Do we think that we are better than Jesus Christ? Following Jesus as a Christians means to follow in His teachings (I John 2:6). Please read Matt. 5:17-19 multiple times.

Christians have a law that we must live by. Jesus Christ expects His followers to live by the least of God’s commandments. God has not entrusted our leaders with the prerogative to add or take away from His law. Please read the guidelines for a king in Deut. 17:14-20. Notice verses 18-19 says this leader must make a copy of God’s law, read it continuously, and keep it. Kings, presidents, prime ministers, etc., are essentially the same. God’s standard shows that kings aren’t allowed to make laws and decrees, but his job is to uphold what God has declared. There is no candidate running for president that will do this. Will Trump, Harris, or any one else running for any other office live by God’s law? Is there a candidate that will inspire the nation to live by God’s law?

Again, God has not given His servants the right to make laws or change His!!! The duty of a Christian is to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). Again, there is no verse mandating Christians to choose leaders who do not serve God. Please do not mistake lip service towards God for a Christian lifestyle. Real Christianity is ot a series of words and platitudes. It is striving to live in the righteousness God prescribed for us (Eph 2:10). 

Conclusion

Lastly, do not let the fear of persecution cause you to put your faith in humans (Jer. 17:5-6). Who you vote for will not stop prophecy from coming to pass. The unfortunate reality every Christian must come to accept is that persecution was prophesied to happen by the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 24:9-10,21-22; Rev. 6:9-11). No human being can stop what God has decreed. Who you vote for will not stop the Great Tribulation or any other prophecy! Do let fear and physical needs cause you to yoke yourself with the wicked. 

Nevertheless, there is good news!. The good news is Jesus Christ will return to this earth and gather His servants (both dead and alive) into His kingdom (Matt. 24:30-31; Rev. 22:12). As Christians, let’s focus on God’s work; not politics, the economy, or any other human concern. Let us be faithful to Him; not political parties.

 ”But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matt. 24:13)