First, I would like to present some Scriptures on God’s thoughts about how Christians ought to view the “political landscape” in a way that is contrary to what the world and many Christian leaders would propose.
- Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
- Proverbs 17:15 “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.”
- Proverbs 28:4 “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.”
- Proverbs 29:27 “An unjust man is an abomination to the just:”
- Ecclesiastes 10:5-6 “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.”
So if we as Christians are to desire righteous leaders and men that are not of folly, does God give guidance in the Bible on what we should look for in leaders for our country? I believe the Bible clearly defines a good leader and a bad leader. As we examine the Bible’s teaching on the matter, I believe we should prayerfully consider whether the man we vote for would be approved by God or not. These thoughts are of course not comprehensive in their scope, but I hope they will encourage believers to reconsider whether it is always right to vote for the lesser of two evils.
What about women in leadership?
I believe the Bible is clear that it is not God’s will for women to have a position of leadership over men, including political leadership. If you disagree with that assessment, you may take it up with the Lord, but I do not believe that it is ever God’s will for women to be in political leadership.
Isa 3:11-12 (KJV) Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. 12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
What does God say about good leaders?
- Ex 18:21 (KJV) Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
- De 1:13 (KJV) Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.
- Pr 16:12 (KJV) It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
- Pr 20:8 (KJV) A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
- Pr 20:26 (KJV) A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
- Pr 20:28 (KJV) Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
- Pr 21:3 (KJV) To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
- Pr 28:2 (KJV) For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
- Pr 29:2 (KJV) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
- Pr 29:8 (KJV) Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
- Pr 29:14 (KJV) The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
- Pr 31:3-5 (KJV) Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
- Pr 31:8-9 (KJV) Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
What does God say about bad leaders?
- Isa 5:20-23 (KJV) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
- Isa 10:1-2 (KJV) Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; 2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
- Ps 2:1-3 (KJV) Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
- Pr 16:12 (KJV) It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
- Pr 17:23 (KJV) A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
- Pr 22:16 (KJV) He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
- Pr 28:15-16 (KJV) As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. 16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
- Pr 29:8 (KJV) Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
- Pr 29:12 (KJV) If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
- 1Ki 14:23-24 (KJV) For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. 24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
I am not telling anyone what to do or how to vote, but I would encourage everyone to give serious consideration to whether or not the person you cast a vote for would be one that God would want you to vote for. If God would not support a person to be a ruler of a country, should we? Please take these thoughts as food for thought.