Question: Does the Bible advise us in any way about voting for people in elections?
Answer: Even though the Bible doesn’t refer to elections as we know them today, believers were told how to select the best leaders. Good leadership helps a nation to receive God’s blessings and prosper in safety. Before you vote in any election, consider these wise tips for choosing the right leader.
Which candidate:
- Has a relationship with Jesus Christ?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
- Has led a life that’s a good model for others to follow?
A leader then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable. I Timothy 3:2
- Would humble himself before God, asking for forgiveness and divine guidance?
When my people humble themselves – the ones called by my name – and pray, seeking me and turning away from their evil practices, I myself will listen from heaven, I will pardon their sins, and I will restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Demonstrates faithfulness to his wife and family, putting aside temptations to immorality?
If a man can’t manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be arrogant and fall into the Devil’s temptations. He must be thought of well of by others…must not be greedy for money…and have a clear conscience. I Timothy 3: 4-9
- Stands out among others for doing what is right?
Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may be blameless and innocent, God’s children without faults, among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world as you hold firmly to the word of life… Philippians 2:14-16
- Devotes himself to serving others rather than only serving himself?
Jesus said to His disciples, “You know that those men who are recognized as rulers among the unbelievers lord it over them, and their superiors act like tyrants over them. That’s not the way it should be among you. Instead, whoever wants to be greatest among you must become your servant…” Mark 10: 42-43
- Has conducted his business honestly and responsibly?
Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with very little is dishonest with a lot. So if you haven’t been faithful with unrighteous wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? Luke 16:10-11
- Would put pleasing God as a priority over appeasing those who promise to reward him for favors?
Commit your way to the Lord, trust Him, and He will act! Psalm 37:5
In preparing to vote, be sure to read about the kind of life a man has led so you will know his true character. The scriptures say that a good man will produce good actions and decisions, or “fruit”, that are approved of by God. (Matthew 7:15-20) And when God approves, blessings come to a nation and its people!
