Jeffress went on to say: "The Bible gives absolutely no checklist for how to vote, because voting was not present in biblical times."
That maybe true but it certainly offered some clues....
Guideline for Christian Voters:I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2: 1-2
We are called to pray for our leaders so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in godliness and honesty. If God wants us to pray for those in authority, then surely He wants us to pray about who we should vote for in every election. Because we have friends who are both Democrats and Republicans and Independents who are Christians, I felt it might be helpful to share some basic things when making any political choice for the presidential candidates and any other political office, local and national, and vote with those precepts and principles in mind. Our vote should not be based on someone’s skin color or ethnic background, traditional background, or whether they are male or female, or Democrat or Republican, as there are good and bad people in all of these categories. The most important thing when voting is not whether we are a Republican or Democrat or any other party, but rather what Biblical principles are we following when choosing any candidate for an office. Here are some guidelines that we pray will be helpful.
1.) Are the candidates qualified for the particular office they are running for? You would not what someone operating on you that was not qualified to do the surgery, neither do you want someone who is not qualified, nor experienced in governmental matters to be in a position of authority they are not qualified for or they do not have enough knowledge and experience for the job. Without experience and the proper qualifications, bad decisions made by those in power will affect all of the people adversely and sometimes it is years before they can even be reversed, if ever.
Hosea 4:6a: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge—“2.) What have they said? What is their past voting record? For all of us, the words we say and the deeds we do determine who we really are. Talk is cheap, as that is probably the main problem the average person has with most politicians of the past, they have promised much and delivered little. Certainly we need to allow politicians to change their opinions in certain areas that are fluid themselves (i.g. the war, the economy, etc.) These kinds of situations require a different approach because the circumstances have now changed or sometimes they have been given additional information later that they did not have when making their original decision or vote in the matter. However, changing a judgment about a matter is different than saying something in order to get votes or win favor at the moment. Some politicians will lie for the moment just to get into office so we must check for the truth and the facts in controversial matters.
Proverbs 12:19: “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”3.) Who do they associate with? The old adage of “birds of a feather flock together” reveals our own nature. People we associate with or have been associated with, definitely have an influence in what we believe. We all hang out with the people we like and whom we have things in common with. The choice of our friends and associates reveal our own beliefs, and ideology. We even use the expression, “Look at the crowd they are running with.”
Proverbs 22:24: “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”
Proverbs 13:20: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Proverbs 14:7: “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”4.) How do they stand on the life and death issues like abortion and euthanasia? In essence the answer to these questions will determine their integrity and character. Character is very important to me personally and what they believe about abortion is of major concern to me as anyone who does not see that abortion is murder has either bad character, flawed judgment or is grossly deceived and I would not want that person in a position of authority. For instance, if they believe in euthanasia, I ponder, what if I was that person that was dispensable in their judgment? I think the Bible is very clear that He is the One who should be in charge of life and death situations regarding birth and death, not any man. How it must grieve the heart of God that over 57 million babies have been aborted in our nation at the time of this writing. The Bible clearly states we will come under judgment for this action. As Christians, if we vote for someone who believes in abortion, then we share in the guilt of this crime and the Bible says we will suffer a curse on our land for it and that curse is death in our land.
Proverbs 6:16-17: “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.”
Deuteronomy 27:25: “Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person.”
Deuteronomy 19:10: “That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.”5.) Lastly, but most important is we should saturate our decisions in prayer so we can get the Holy Spirit’s approval to our choices since He sees the hearts of men and can warn us if we are leaning in the wrong direction. We must remember we are not voting for perfect people, but certainly some people are better than others and the Holy Spirit can give us spiritual insight as to who these men and women might be. Candidates can fool people by their persuasive rhetoric, but they cannot fool God and if we stay close to God, He will guide us in the best choice for each office. I pray this is a helpful guide in helping you to select those who will rule over us as we will be blessed or cursed by our choices. May we choose wisely.
