When Ted Cruz gave his speech at the Republican National Convention last week, he offended many attendees. When he told them to “vote their conscience,” they booed him because he refused to endorse Donald Trump. If I were in Ted’s shoes, I wouldn’t endorse Mr. Trump either. Nor would I endorse Hillary Clinton. Though I am not a Ted Cruz fan, his message raises a fair question. Should we vote our conscience, implying that we should write in the candidate of our choice? Or do we vote for one of the candidates on the presidential ticket in November? I have struggled with this tension over the last several months. If you’re a fellow struggler trying to figure out who to vote for, I think this post will be helpful. I will offer how we can resolve this tension both practically and biblically.

Photo Courtesy @ cnn.com

First, is it practical to “vote our conscience?” In case we’re tempted to write in a candidate in November, I decided to be proactive and research the merit of this idea. Here are the key things I learned:

• If I write in another candidate, I will most likely be assisting Hillary Clinton to become our next President of the United States. That is not my goal.
• If I don’t vote for Donald Trump, then I will open the door for Congress to add judges with a liberal bent in the Supreme Court. Conservative values will be at risk.
• If I write in a candidate, it’s doubtful that they could pass through the Electoral College to become our President. I would be wasting my vote.

Photo Courtesy @ hisscrivener.files.wordpress.com

According to Burt Helm, a reporter for BusinessWeek Online, writing in a candidate is not the answer. Here’s why it is unproductive. First, not all states allow it. We have six states that ban this altogether. Thus, not all voices would be heard. Second, it’s easy for us to write in a contender. But it is much more complicated than scribbling whatever name we please on the ballot. Thirty-five states require write-in candidates to submit an affidavit at least one month before the election. In North Carolina, these candidates must circulate a petition. Once they receive enough signatures, the polling authorities place their names on a list at the polls, though not on the official ballot. If pollsters don’t receive the proper paperwork for a write-in candidate, they toss the votes.¹

Since writing in a candidate is wasting our vote, let’s look to Scripture. This election highlights a theological conundrum:

If God is sovereign, by allowing Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump as the two main presidential candidates, shouldn’t we trust God knowing that He CHOSE these two candidates?

YET,

Aren’t we encouraged in Scripture to listen to our conscience?

Here are several verses regarding God’s sovereignty to consider:

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Rom 13:1)

“Trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him. (Prov 3:5-6)

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Prov 16:33)

Here are some passages regarding conscience to consider:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Col 2:8)

“Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17)

“The requirements of the law are written on our hearts, our consciences also bearing witness.” (Rom 2:15)

This last verse teaches that humans, made in the image of God, have an innate sense of right and wrong, a moral monitor that either “approves or accuses.” Conscience serves as an umpire, helping us view life situations in a moral or ethical light.

So what should we do? I wish the Bible plainly stated that either sovereignty outweighs conscience, or vice versa. But it doesn’t. Since “voting our conscience” can lead to wrong conclusions because we are human and miss the mark, I think we should vote for one of the candidates presented on the ballot. Regardless of our concerns about each candidate, God knows their flaws better than we do! God executes His plan without error. He continues to be sovereign and knows exactly what He’s doing. There is a DIVINE REASON on why He’s allowed these candidates on the ballot. We can’t thwart His purposes. I encourage us to completely trust Him. I hope we will continue to fervently pray for the Lord’s wisdom as we cast our vote. In the end the final decision will be from the Lord (Prov 16:33).

Perhaps most of you have a clear idea of how you will vote. But for those who are struggling like me, are there other biblical passages that you can share that will help you make this decision? If you’re open to sharing your thoughts, please type them below.  

Blessings,

Lee Ann

¹ http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2004-11-01/the-ins-and-outs-of-write-ins