A Vote for the Lesser of Two Evils is Still a Vote for Evil

“Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be merciful unto the remnant of Joseph.” (Amos 5:15). Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of scripture knows that God abhors evil. Much of scripture relates the story of God's wrath being poured out upon evil men and nations. And, in fact, God Instituted civil government for the punishment of evildoers (Roms. 13). Yet every one of you have heard a Christian brother describe his most recent vote as going to the lesser of two evils.

Evil is an all but forgotten idea in the English language today. Two men were discussing 'religion' recently when one referred to homosexuality as evil. In an attempt to lighten the burden of guilt on homosexuality the second man protested that the passage that condemns homosexuality quickly turns to a discussion of gossip. The first man shrugged his shoulders saying yeah, in the tone of a question. The second man had a view of evil as being those things which are most deplorable, while the first man was trying to reclaim the idea that anything that violates God's standard of good is evil. There is no question that scripture teaches degrees of good and evil, with correspondent degrees of reward and punishment. That, however, does not diminish the fact that anything that violates God's precepts is evil, meriting punishment.

Too often Christians have fallen into this same trap of diminishing the burden of guilt in relationship to our sins. The specific case in point to be addressed here is the voting habits of the American Christian. Because of the role that Americans play in selecting their representatives by virtue of the vote they have a responsibility to follow Biblical precepts of choosing their civil leaders.

Proverbs 29:2 states, “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people sigh.” In Deuteronomy chapter one Moses charges the leaders of Israel with God's plan for ruling the nation. The bottom line is that they are to judge righteously, “for the judgment is God's”. In other words, the rulers of the nation are to make judgments according to God's standard of righteousness. This concept is repeated in Romans chapter 13. Here Paul clearly instructs the civil magistrate to protect the good to do good and “to take vengeance on him that doeth evil.” By implication, these passages are instructive for the Christian when he ponders how to vote. Is there a candidate in a given race that will fulfill these Biblical mandates? Lest you attempt to wriggle out of the responsibility to choose men who will wield their authority as a civil magistrate based on God's righteousness because it is not explicitly commanded, turn to Exodus 18:21. Here Moses receives instruction on choosing civil leaders - “Moreover, provide thou among all the people men of courage, fearing God, men dealing truly, hating covetousness: and appoint such over them to be rulers...”

God hates evil; even a little evil. If you are voting for the lesser of two evils in order to avoid the greater evil from ruling you are still voting for evil. Do you truly believe that “By me [God] princes rule, and nobles, and all the judges of the earth.” and do you truly believe that “all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.”? If you do you will be faithful to the Biblical precept of choosing godly men to rule, and you will have confidence in God's sovereignty to accomplish His purposes with the results of the election.