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
If our nation isn’t following God as a whole, we can’t expect him to bless it. He’s certainly sovereign ….amen! but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be pretty….We reap what we sow. I totally agree about not wasting a vote on a write in candidate!
You’re right, Nicki. It’s not going to be pretty. One of the thoughts circulating in Christian circles is that the Lord may be chastising us. If this election cycle is not bringing us to our knees in prayer, something is wrong!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Exactly, Lee Ann. This week I read another opinion on this. The author reminds us that a vote for either candidate is not just a vote for president. That person will bring in many people to fill important government jobs: the cabinet, diplomats, etc. And then of course this president could appoint 3 or 4 Supreme Court justices. Do you want conservative or liberal (far-left!) justices. Here is his opinion:
http://dougellingsworth.com/2016/07/21/so-you-arent-gonna-vote-for-president/
Thanks for the link, Debbie! Yes, it’s the whole ripple effect of positions waiting to be filled based on who gets elected as President. I think it will help me to mentally shift my thinking a bit. Instead of voting for the “President,” I need to look at my vote as one that will protect conservative values and small government.
Blessings,
Lee Ann
The struggle is real for us voters! I’ve talked to a lot of people who plan to hold their noses and vote for Trump, mainly because they just need to vote for their party, not the man. Some of my friends from my Ohio church believe that The Donald could be part of God’s grand plan. Look how the odds were against Trump, with that panel of some amazing Republican candidates that just couldn’t beat him; it seems crazy. There were some pretty evil men in the Old Testament that rose to power, and God used them in mighty ways (Nebuchadnezzar?). I just don’t know.
The struggle is real, Peggy! I have had strong Christian friends champion Trump as part of God’s grand plan as well. In fact, Trump has been compared to Winston Churchill, who was a boozer, told inappropriate stories, and was unappreciated until he became Prime Minister and will always be remembered for his leadership qualities. The rest is history. Another pastor has compared Trump to the biblical leader, Cyrus. Cyrus was someone who was dynamically used of God even though not perceived by many as a God follower. God has used many people in history that I would probably not like or agree with. It is very interesting, maybe the right word is providential, that very talented, experienced, Republican candidates in the primaries with great track records couldn’t beat him. If God is raising up Trump, we will not be able to thwart His purposes, and it would be considered His hand who elevated Trump as the Republican candidate. That’s actually comforting to me because God knows what is best for us. But I am like you…I don’t really know and don’t profess to have such exceptional discernment to know how to interpret all of this!
So I am “holding my nose” as you stated and will probably vote for Trump just to protect conservative values and champion smaller involvement of government with more delegation to the States. I will continue to pray for God’s guidance.
Blessings,
Lee Ann
I couldn’t hold my nose and cast a vote for Mr. Trump. My conscience is awakened by seeing the man perfectly described in Jude 16, “…finding fault, following after their own lusts, they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.” Proverbs 29:11 says a fool always loses his temper and we see over and over how easily this man is provoked.
The Donald part of God’s plan? If ever God wanted to humble our nation, placing a man of such arrogance at the helm would surely bring us to our knees. We are described in 2 Timothy 4:3, “…wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.”
I will consider one of the other candidates. Gary Johnson is on the ballot in all fifty states. It may be God’s design that a third party rise up. The game has got to change. Neither candidate has the necessary integrity. We have other choices. God be with us!
Dear Kris:
You are articulating the very reasons I so do NOT want to endorse Trump or feel encouraged about voting for him. I would add Prov 16:18 that may play out before November 8th: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” I am wondering if the Lord will reveal His “pick” through the debates where someone will “fall.”
I watched the Town Hall with Gary Johnson hoping to be drawn to the independent ticket, but frankly I was underwhelmed. I didn’t sense strong leadership from him at all.
The larger issue is that whatever party wins the Presidential seat will also have much control over the Supreme Court selections, and many other key Cabinet positions, etc. So as much as I don’t want to vote for Trump, I understand that the stakes are way higher than that. If I cast a vote for Gary Johnson in the name of “I can’t stand to vote for either Hillary or Donald because of lack of character or integrity,” then I have negatively impacted the Republican party, where my hope is that conservative principles will be championed and see less government. So if I vote for the “Republican Party” vs “Donald Trump,” then perhaps I am voting for the higher good of the future of the Republican Party.
God is going to have his way no matter who we vote for. If Donald (or Hillary) is God’s way of chastising us, I will accept that. If God is raising up Trump to shake up the establishment and help our country move in the right direction, then I accept that too. If God is raising up Clinton because He has been grooming her many years for such a time as this, then I accept God’s choice. I am emphasizing “God’s choice” because Prov 16:33 makes it abundantly clear that after you and I vote our conscience OR vote strategically to protect conservative values, the FINAL DECISION IS FROM THE LORD. I will accept whoever that is!
Thank you so much for engaging this post!
Blessings,
Lee Ann