Politics

Throwback Thursday ~ Seven Thoughts on Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils

Michelle Lesley

Originally published May 6, 2016

This article was originally published in 2016. In this re-post, I’ve updated the name of one candidate and made only a few other minor edits. It’s amazing how applicable the details still are.

It’s been said ad nauseam that, in polite company, it’s not wise to discuss religion or politics. They’re hot button issues that people often have strong, differing opinions about, which can lead to arguments, which can ruin a perfectly nice party, picnic, or wedding reception.

This is one of the reasons I’m loath to write about or discuss politics. To me, biblical Christianity and sound doctrine are worth going to the mattresses for. When it comes to politics, though, I’m usually fine with keeping my opinions about the governor, president, or candidate du jour to myself.

But in light of recent events, there are a lot of differing points of view even among Christians who are, theologically, very like-minded. Christians who want God to guide every aspect of their lives, including voting. And I think it’s a political conversation worth having as we near election day with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as the two major candidates.

Why? Well, laying aside the entire election for just a moment and evaluating Trump only on his personal character and personal opinions on issues such as abortion and homosexuality, biblically literate Christians would be hard pressed to describe him as a virtuous, godly man whom they have zero qualms about enthusiastically supporting. (Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever voted for someone who fit that description. I’ve had at least a couple of qualms about everyone I’ve ever voted for. Haven’t you?) Quite the opposite, in fact. Most of the Christian people I hang with find Trump odious. Arrogant. Dishonest. A blowhard. Unkind. Immoral. And, now that he is the “conservative” candidate, the lesser of two evils (the greater being Harris). But even the lesser of two evils is still evil, and nobody’s crazy about feeling she has no choice but to vote for someone she considers evil.

Even the lesser of two evils is still evil, and nobody’s crazy about feeling she has no choice but to vote for someone she considers evil.

So what’s a Christian voter to do with Trump as the only “conservative” candidate? I’ve heard three predominate stances:

View 1. “I’m voting for Trump as the lesser of two evils. Assuming he adheres to at least some of what he has promised, fewer babies will be murdered under his administration, and the homosexual agenda will be stemmed at least a little more than it would be if Harris wins.”

View 2. “I just can’t, in good conscience, vote for someone whose character and policies are so ‘bottom of the barrel’. I don’t trust Trump to keep his promises, and I don’t see much, if any difference, between voting for him and voting for Harris. I’m sitting out this election.”

View 3. “I think it’s important to vote, but I can’t bring myself to vote for Trump. I’m voting third party/write in. I don’t like that it will probably give the White House to Harris, but at least I’ll be voting and the GOP will hear my voice and change its ways.”

I know good, godly Christian people who fall into all three of these categories. I have fluctuated back and forth among all three myself, and, to be honest, I’m still not sure where I’ll land come November 5. As I’ve begun to think about this issue, here are seven thoughts I’ve had about voting for the lesser of two evils:

As I’ve begun to think about this issue, here are seven thoughts I’ve had about voting for the lesser of two evils…

1.

If there’s a passage in the Bible that addresses voting in a democratic republic in an election for secular governmental officials, I haven’t run across it, and I don’t think anyone else has either. This makes sense if you think about it, because, in the Old Testament, God’s people lived under a theocracy (God was their king), and even during the period of the Old Testament kings, the people didn’t get to vote for the candidate of their choice. The New Testament was generally written to people under Roman rule who didn’t get to pick their leaders either. So, there’s really nothing specific in Scripture we can point to about voting as we know it today.

2.

I’m starting to hear a new (to me, anyway) false teaching floating around: “God commands us to vote.” I don’t know which, if any, passage of Scripture is being mangled (and it would have to be mangled because the Bible doesn’t say this at all) to create this nonsensical notion, but the Bible doesn’t any more say God commands us to vote than it says God commands us to drive electric cars or observe Lent. If you’re following a preacher or teacher who’s pushing this junk theology, run away and don’t look back. God does not command that we vote. If you pray and study the Scriptures about it, and your conscience still prevents you from voting on November 5, you are not sinning.

3.

Because, in America, we do have the privilege of voting, Christians should take that responsibility soberly and vote in a way that best lines up with biblical principles. That means we do not vote for candidates who actively promote or encourage sin, for example, someone who promises to expand abortion, legislatively encourages and celebrates the sin of homosexuality, or endorses the persecution and prosecution of Christians and biblical values. If you’re on the fence about voting for Trump, you’ll have to do the research to see where he stands on the important issues, compare his stances to Scripture, and decide for yourself whether or not you can vote for him.

4.

This is not something to break fellowship over or be judgmental towards brothers and sisters in Christ about. If you’re such a vehement proponent of view 1 (or 2 or 3 of the three views I discussed near the beginning of this article) that you’re breaking ties with Christians who hold views 2 and 3, politics has become an idol for you and you need to repent. There are many Christians out there praying for wisdom, seeking to do what’s godly, and following their consciences according to biblical principles. They are not necessarily in the wrong because they come to a different conclusion from yours. If one botanist focuses on a daisy’s petals and another focuses on its leaves, that doesn’t make one right and one wrong. They’re just focusing on different aspects of the same flower.

5.

I’ve seen this quote by Spurgeon posted all over social media:

“Of two evils, choose neither.”

I love Spurgeon as much as the next guy, and it’s a fine quote, but let’s be careful that we’re not subconsciously elevating this quote to the level of Scripture. It’s not. Spurgeon may have been the Prince of Preachers, but he wasn’t the King of Kings (and he’d be the first to tell you that).

6.

Anything could happen between now and Election Day. Trump or Harris could keel over and die of a heart attack. A revival could sweep America and thousands of newly saved Christians could demand a godly candidate. Trump could get saved. Harris could get saved. (Let’s just daydream on that a little. Wouldn’t it be great to have the dilemma of trying to decide between two candidates who were both on fire for the Lord? Don’t think it can’t happen. After all, God saved Paul.) Matthew 6:34 says:

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Pray, yes. Study, yes. But let’s not invest time in worrying about the election.

7.

God is sovereign, and He is the one responsible for the outcome of every election. Romans 13:1b says:

…there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Ultimately, however you decide to vote, you can’t mess up the results of the election. God has already decided which person He’s going to put in the Oval Office, and He’s not depending on your vote or anyone else’s to accomplish it. We seek to do what’s right and biblical in the voting booth because we love Christ and want to honor Him, and we trust God with the final results.

We seek to do what’s right and biblical in the voting booth because we love Christ and want to honor Him, and we trust God with the final results.

Give it some thought. Do some reasearch. Study your Bible. Ask God for wisdom. Then, make the wisest and most godly choice you can. And stop worrying. God’s in control of all of this, and He will have His way and continue to care for His people. Trust Him.

God’s in control of all of this, and He will have His way and continue to care for His people. Trust Him.

As I mentioned, politics is a hot button issue, so I’m going to be a little more restrictive on the comments on this article. Before commenting, please make sure you’ve read the entire article as well as the “comment parameters” section of the “Welcome” tab at the top of this page. Also, please recognize that the focus of this article is limited to the idea of voting for Trump as the lesser of two evils. There’s a time and place to debate policy, whether or not you think Harris is evil, problems in the Republican party, etc. This ain’t it. Please stick to the topic at hand. Thanks :0)

 

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15 thoughts on “Throwback Thursday ~ Seven Thoughts on Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils”

  1. Hi Michelle, I’ve been a supporter of yours for many years, but I can’t get behind you on this. 2016 and 2024 are two very different elections! I would agree with you on this in 2016, but definitely not now! If you’re going to bring up personalities as a criterion for voting, Kamala is just as bad, if not worse than Trump. That comparison is a wash and must be set aside. We’ve seen a Trump presidency and the absolutely disaster of a Kamala administration. While no one is perfect, as we know as Christians, it is our duty to fight against evil and corruption, which isn’t just the social issues, but every other issue like open borders allowing criminals and fentanyl to kill Americans. Sitting this election out as a Christian would be sinful. The first thing Kamala will do is censor Americans (please do not be fooled, this administration has only evil objectives). The next would be taking away our Godly right to protect ourselves through the 2nd amendment. This would be an end to America (I’m not being dramatic, just realistic). Why would we as Christians want to invite that persecution when we have a chance to vote against it? Why would we not want to stand up for our fellow Christians? A non-vote is a vote for Kamala since she has the backing of media and giant corporations. As Christians, we have a duty to stand up for Godly morals, and the only way to do that is to use our voice. I pray every Christian will open their eyes and vote Trump!

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    1. If you’ve been a supporter of mine for many years, I’m sure this reply will not come as a surprise:

      1. All I see here is personal, subjective opinion and pragmatism (some of which I’ve dealt with, from Scripture, in the article). If you’re going to make this argument, make it from rightly handled, in context Scripture.

      2. “Sitting this election out as a Christian would be sinful.” You’d especially better be able to back this one up chapter and verse, otherwise you’re playing God. God alone has the right to say what is sinful and what is not. No human being has that authority. I would really advise you to repent of this presumption.

      3. I would also encourage you to repent of your lack of trust in God and His sovereignty. God is in complete control of this election, its outcome, and whatever is going to happen in the future, and he’s not dependent on Christians sinning against their consciences by voting to get it done. No Christian following his or her biblically informed conscience regarding voting is going to alter God’s plan. Our hope is not in Trump. Our hope is not in whatever circumstances may or may not come about after the election. As Christians, our hope is in God, and we do not toss out obedience to His Word the moment things start getting scary.

      4. I know you don’t mean to say this, and you probably don’t even realize that you’re saying it, but what you’re saying here is exactly the kind of thing the Pharisees said. You’ve come up with your own law that’s not found anywhere in Scripture and is stricter than Scripture (“Sitting this election out as a Christian would be sinful.”), over and above God’s law, and you’re binding other brothers’ and sisters’ consciences to your law. You’re telling them they’re sinning if they don’t obey your law that they must vote, and vote for Trump. That is the sin and false teaching of legalism. It’s exactly what Jesus was constantly rebuking the scribes and Pharisees for. Not good company to be in.

      It’s totally OK to vote for Trump. It’s fine and dandy to attempt to convince people to vote for him by explaining the benefits, as you see them, of a Trump administration vs. a Harris administration. Please go forth and campaign to your heart’s content! But what you cannot do is use God the way you’re using Him in an attempt to get brothers and sisters in Christ to do what you want them to do. That’s blasphemous.

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  2. Thank you for this well thought article. It convicted me of the need to pray for wisdom in voting and trusting God for the results. Well said!

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  4. Michelle, This article was very helpful to me personally, and it is as relevant as ever. I wanted to thank you for including the link to the original 2016 post. I have often wished you would routinely do that for reposts, so one can go back and see the comment thread at the older post.

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    1. Hi Lorna- Thank you for your kind words. With a handful of my articles, going back and seeing the original is not possible, either because the original was published at another blog I was writing for at the time and the blog is no longer in existence, or for various other reasons. But for about 95% of my articles, if you would like to see the original, all you have to do is type the title into the search bar and scroll down to it. Hope this helps. :0)

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  5. Michelle, you’re right that there is no biblical command to vote. However, as Christians, I believe we should actively participate in God’s plan and providence. To be good stewards of the process, so to speak. While both candidates are extremely flawed, the 2 platforms are not morally equivalent. This disparity goes far beyond holding one’s nose and choosing the “lesser of two evils.” One party promotes unrestricted abortion, mutilation of healthy bodies, and the sexualization of children, all of which lead to the destruction of God’s design of family. With that in mind, I think Proverbs 31:8-9 makes the case that Christians should do what is necessary to influence our culture and political landscape.

    “Open your mouth for the mute,
    for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously,
    and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.”

    Thank you for using your platform to share God’s truth.

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    1. Hi Sandy- Thank you for your kind words and for supporting your position with Scripture. Although Proverbs 31:1-9 was instruction to King Lemuel from his mother, not a direct command to us as Christians, voting for the best possible candidate is certainly one way to carry out the spirit of verses 8-9. If someone’s conscience prevents her from voting, there are many other ways to influence our culture with the gospel.

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  6. Thank you Michelle,

    I was just praying about this upcoming election and asking the Lord to give me wisdom. He providentially led me to this article, which is a great help. May the Lord continue to bless you.

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