Tag Archives: Vote

7.29.16 Should We “Vote Our Conscience” in This Presidential Election?

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.27.16 Do We HAVE to Vote?

At the founding of our nation, with a population of roughly three million people, we had seven world-class leaders. Today, with a population one hundred times that number, how many truly world-class leaders have you seen lining the stages of Republican and Democratic debates?      ~Hank Hanegraaff, founder of Christian Research Institute

Photo Courtesy @www.quotesgram.com

Photo Courtesy @www.quotesgram.com

It’s hard to be optimistic about our nation’s future. When I talk to friends about who they might vote for in the next Presidential election, they often say, “I don’t know. If it is Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, I don’t want to vote for either one of them.” I feel the same way. For this post let’s assume they become our nominees. As Christians, do we have an ethical obligation to vote, even if we believe both candidates have moral failures in their history? Here are three reasons I believe the answer is, “yes.”

1) We are citizens of the United States of America

We are not here by accident. By God’s grace, we have the privilege of living in one of the best countries on this earth for this window of time.

From one man He made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. (Acts 17:26)

Accordingly, we have to take responsibility for who we elect to public office. It is a part of our “job description” to vote. We are a democratic republic. This means that citizens give ultimate authority and power to the elected officials who run our government. We can’t afford to take our authority lightly. When we vote, we are delegating duties to the public servants we believe will work in our best interest.

Photo Courtesy @ www.flickr.com/Digi_shot

Photo Courtesy @ www.flickr.com/Digi_shot

 

2) We Need to Direct our Votes to Someone of Strong Character

Character matters. The quality of government in any country depends more upon on the quality and characteristic of leaders than laws. We have Scriptural support for this:

When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Prov 29:2)

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse. (Prov 28:6)

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (Matt 12:34-35) 

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10)

Regardless of our opinions of the two likely nominees, we need to vote for the person we feel shows the strongest character. I realize that may be relative!

3) I don’t believe we are endorsing “moral evil” with either candidate

If Christians face two clearly immoral nominees, then we shouldn’t vote for either one. We can’t rationalize a vote for immorality simply because it’s the “lesser of two evils.” If both candidates are morally evil, then Christians should consider who they would write in on their ballot as a third choice! We still need to vote.

There is a difference between having moral failures and being morally evil. All have had moral failures. If candidates can only run for office if they’ve had no moral failures, we wouldn’t have anyone to vote for! I don’t perceive that either candidate is out to commit evil. They both see messes, and both have different approaches on how to fix them. I believe both are exceptionally intelligent and highly skilled at what they do. I believe both of them have something to offer us that we need.

Given these three reasons, I believe we must vote. The Lord requires that we are good stewards of the authority He gives us. Unless Jesus is one of the candidates on the ballot, we will never have a morally perfect candidate to elect.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23)

This means we will always be choosing “the lesser of two evils.”

Continual prayer has to be our foundation before we vote. If we are faithful to pray fervently, I believe He will lead us to the right decision. We can trust that whomever we are leaning toward when it’s time to vote, it will be His prodding because we’ve undergirded it with prayer.

Once we elect our President, we can trust one more Scriptural truth that can give us all peace that He’s still in control.

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

We will do our part as citizens to vote. We may not like the outcome, but the Lord calls us to respect the office. We have to trust that God will work through whomever HE CHOOSES in the end! I hope we will spend more time praying for our new President, rather than complaining about him or her. They will need all the help they can get.

Photo Courtesy @ www.pinterest.com

Photo Courtesy @ www.pinterest.com

 

What do you think? Will you vote? Are there some biblical truths I missed that should lead us NOT to vote?

I think many are struggling with the two nominees that are likely to be on the ballot. Whether you agree with my thought processes or not, I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject below. There is a Comment Box awaiting your reply!

Blessings,

Lee Ann

11.11.12 Who Got the Swing Vote?

My choice for President didn’t win, but I can’t say that I am upset at the outcome. I see elections through a Christian worldview that affirms that God is always in control. Did you know that God is a registered voter? His precinct is the world. Do you realize He votes at every election?

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

Romans 13:1 says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

These verses may sound like the voting process is mere chances, but God is always in control. We cast our vote, but He carries 51% of the vote at all times. He has the swing vote in every election. So why did we bother to vote? Because we have the privilege to participate with God in His kingdom. He desires to push His story through each of our votes.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

 

Let’s not forget the fact that the Bible contains God’s love story written to us, and He has already told us the ending. Each person was created with a special purpose in mind, and we are right in the middle of His story as its playing out. We aren’t just “extras” on the scene. We have a valuable role while we’re here on Earth. Just as God is writing His story through each of us, God is doing the same thing through Obama’s presidency. We may not always understand why He chooses certain leaders, but His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways (Isa 55:8).

In the end I trust His choices. God used His swing vote to allow Obama another term. This doesn’t change the fact that God will remain at the helm to continue enacting His story to the end. Now we have an obligation to participate in His precinct by praying for our leaders and accepting the outcome. It was His decision.

Blessings,                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Lee Ann