In the elections here in America, I hope you will give your attention to voting biblically. When you are deciding your vote in terms of voting biblically, you will relieve yourself of the stress and defense of standing by a political party.

Noah Webster said this best when in 1823 he admonished students “In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate–look to his character. ” (By “denomination” he meant what we call “parties”.)

I realize that most biblically minded people vote Republican and that makes sense because the Republican platform is certainly more biblical than the opposing Democrat platform. But…you and I both know that just because a politician says they are a Republican doesn’t always mean they are conservative or committed to the biblically supportive policies that are part of the Republican platform like life and religious liberty.

So here, I want to share some principles to help you vote biblically as you go to vote in the next election…

• Pray as you think over a decision for your vote. Ultimately your vote should support a nation that glorifies the God you serve. Consider Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (ESV), and 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (ESV).

• Remember that everything we do – including casting a vote – is to be done to God’s approval. Consider Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (ESV) and 1 Corinthians 10:31 “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

• Choose the candidate who follows the Lord and not personal gain. There is the example of Scripture in selecting leaders of the people that they should be of godly character. It’s in Exodus 18:21 which states “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens…” (ESV).

• Choose the candidate that recognizes that government is ordained by God for order and that the uncivil resistance movement is not biblical. Consider Romans 13:1-2 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” and 2 Timothy 3:8 “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

• Choose the candidate that is most likely to support laws that uphold the principles of the 10 commandments, especially the side that dictates how to treat our fellow citizens, like:

Exodus 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother” and laws that recognize God’s order of male and female gender and the value of marriage and families.

Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill” and laws that protect life of born and unborn people, and that uphold the value of life through laws that bring justice for the victims.

Exodus 20:14 “Thou shalt not commit adultery” and laws that uphold the value of the sanctity of marriage and the assaults against it through promiscuous activities and crimes.

Exodus 20:15 “Thou shalt not steal” and laws that uphold property rights and stand against those who disregard and disrespects the earnings of others.

Exodus 20:16 “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” and laws against lying and falsely accusing other people of something that is not true.

Exodus 20:17 “Thou shalt not covet” and laws that promote unnecessary regulation that depresses one’s ability to create and serve others in commerce and humanitarianism.

• On a final note, consider the words of Noah Webster, “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, ‘just men who will rule in the fear of God.’ The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be sqandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.” [History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337]