Have you ever wondered who you should vote for in the next election? God tells us in the Bible actually. While He does not give us the names, he does reveal what to look for, which will lead you to the more appropriate person for the position(s). It takes study and discernment, but you can know who to give your vote to. Look below for suggestions before casting your vote.

Look for a “Terror”

Romans 13, verses 1-7 (KJV) commands us to “be subject to” the authorities over us. In those same verses we read that “rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil” and that these leaders are “ministers of God” for “our good.” Therefore, the first arrow pointing to the best person is that, ideally, they do not tolerate evil.

In more worldly terms, they are less aligned with evil. Yes, “evil” is an ambiguous word, but discussing what it is would be an entirely different study. Suffice it to say, God’s word tells us clearly the differences between evil and good (e.g., Galatians 5:19-23).

It is unsettling that there are professing Christians out there who do not just support, but proudly support government leadership that reflects ungodliness. As Christian voters, we tend to forget that "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34, KJV).

Rather than support leaders who have a hint of righteousness or a semblance of godly fear, some professing Christians choose to support leaders that are clearly anti-God in their words, decisions, lifestyles, and behaviors. These elected leaders make policy that go against the greater good or attack “good works” rather than protect them.  

Seek Ye First the ‘Kingdom’ of God

Matthew 6:33, the oft-quoted verse, reminds us to seek the kingdom of God, first, and His righteousness, Jesus Christ, over worrying about food or clothing. If we apply this in an earthly sense, instead of thinking ‘what I can get’ from the candidate, seek God’s best for the “kingdom”—think about the “good” the candidate(s) can bring to the entire nation.

In national leadership, state leadership, and other political choices we may have forgotten to pursue the “kingdom of God and His righteousness,” not realizing, or sadly not caring about, the impact on the welfare of the nation these decisions can have.  

When it comes to voting, neither emotional appeals nor selfishness should outweigh Bible-based, critical thinking among God's people. When we vote contrary to the “kingdom,” we are declaring the wisdom of God is not as important as the wisdom of this world. But let us not forget, “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:19, KJV).

Examine Their Hearts

Remember David? God chose him to be king of Israel, not because of his stature or appearance, but because God looked on the inner man, which is of great value to the Lord:

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).

The Apostle Peter reflected the same in his general epistle: "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Peter 3:4, KJV).

The story of David is not a distant anecdote from the ‘Old’ Testament. The Bible says the Old Testament was written for our learning (Romans 15:4, KJV). Let us learn to discern the heart of candidates by examining their words. The Lord told us that what flows from the mouth is what is in the heart (Matthew 15:19). Perhaps if we listen more carefully to what candidates say in different situations (as opposed to campaign speeches only), we can learn what is in their hearts then make more informed biblical decisions.

Prove All Things

Christians are commanded to “prove all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV). First John 4:1 (KJV) commands us to “test the spirits.” That means we need to put potential leaders to the test.

What test? Paul told Timothy that those who consent not to the wholesome words of the Lord Jesus Christ are foolish, proud, and to be rejected (1 Timothy 6:3-5). These are our standards as believers. Candidates who demonstrate a lack of wholesomeness or who reject Christ ought not receive our votes. They will only poison our nation.

Paul also told Timothy to follow after righteousness (1 Timothy 6:5). Do our political choices reflect that? Do we support leadership that shows indications of righteousness in character, in attitudes, in behavior, or the closest thing to it?

Jesus Christ, the humble, meek, Lamb of God, of Isaiah 53 changed the world. Why not look for someone Christlike who can be used of God to change our part of the world?

As Christians, we say that we pray for wisdom and the Lord's will in national elections, but do we? Do we follow God’s word in proving all things? We will not find His will in emotional appeals, grandiose presentations, or physical appearances. If we truly want to vote the best person for the position, we will examine God’s word, where we can find out who that may be.

It Is an Individual Matter

God said in 1 Samuel 12:14, “If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God” (KJV). That gives a clear indication that it is our responsibility as individual believers to choose leaders who are more inclined to the fear of the Lord and “terror” to evil works.

The Bible does tell us who to vote for if we let it. Leadership that is as close to the word of God as possible, is more likely to work for our own good, for the good of the church, and the good of our nation (see Jeremiah 29:7).

Lean Not to Your Own Understanding

Instead of trusting God by following Him, praying, seeking His wisdom, and discerning what to look for in a leader, we tend to lean on our own understanding. However, this kind of thinking conflicts with Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (KJV). The connection here is that we need to examine people by God’s standards and not our own.

Indeed, no leader, whether good or bad, can come to power without God's permission (e.g., Psalm 75:7, Romans 13:1). But we do need to be reminded to do our part as Christians. We need to fear God, think critically (in-line with Scripture), and seek the wisdom of God before making important decisions pertaining to political leadership or in any capacity really.

A Possible Message from God

God has granted the United States the freedom to choose in its elections. In some countries there are no choices. But, if while we say we want God's will we make choices based on our own emotions, wisdom, and ideas, something is wrong. This is vanity—serving Him with the mouth but the heart is far from Him (Matthew 15:8).

Consider these things when you say you want His will in politics but ignore or reject His counsel. In continuing in this manner, we shall surely and collectively reap sorrow from rejecting His counsel. In many ways, we have been, for years.

Below is a fictional narrative of what the Lord might tell us after elections where we failed to adhere to wise counsel. Perhaps it would go something like this:

You said that you were praying for My leading about who to vote for, but you failed to follow My word. I have commanded righteousness, yet you heap up to yourselves leaders who are unrighteous. You honor Me with your lips and say that you want My will yet choose leaders who do not fear me. You seek your own will instead of Mine, taking counsel from the world instead of seeking counsel from Me. Therefore, you must endure more sorrow, reaping the leadership you have sown.

Final Thoughts

As believers, we may say we want the best person for national leadership and other political positions, but we may not really care to seek that person from a biblical perspective. We may be leaning more toward favor or feelings instead of biblical wisdom. It is what we can call Christian speak—sounding Christian but failing to follow through with it.

The biblical principles relevant to choosing government leaders are essential to all believers who cast votes. And this counsel is freely accessible in the Bible for all of us.

So, who are you voting for? Look to the Bible to know who to vote for. The answer is there. Pray for discernment. Ask God for wisdom. We are never going to find a perfect leader until Christ returns, but we can vote for someone who has more arrows pointing to them.

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Jerry is a bi-vocational missionary pastor-teacher in the Philippines with educational attainments ranging from bachelor to doctorate degrees in various fields. He has been writing since he was a child and continues to this day through articles, blogs, devotions, e-books, and more.