Voting

[Chad]

Exercising Our Civil Responsibility of Voting

Song of Solomon 2:15 says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Foxes sometimes in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow that we might think are little or insignificant can also be disastrous for us.

Listed below are some of the "little foxes" that generally keep us from our civic responsibilities, in the area of voting. The devil uses these lies and others so that he can keep godly men and women away from the polls and get the candidates of his choice elected. If we do nothing, it makes it easy for the enemy to help those who could become the wrong leadership for our nation.

"My one vote doesn't count anyway." "I'm disillusioned by the whole political process." "I'm already too busy to take the time to cast an informed vote, so I just don't vote at all." "Politics are corrupt anyway and as a Christian I don't want to be involved."

These are just some of the excuses that people use to justify their failure to exercise their civil responsibility to vote. Only heaven will reveal the many opportunities that we had to change things for the better in this nation, yet, we failed to do so because we failed to use our right to vote. We do not realize the privilege we have to be able to have a voice in the choice of "who shall be our leaders and what kind of laws should govern our land." If we were to go to a country that did not afford its people this right and live under the usual dictators that rule those countries, we might be more thankful for this advantage.

The heart of God is expressed in the Bible as to His concern for government leaders and leadership by telling us as Christians that we should pray in this vein when we look at the admonition in the following verses:

1 Timothy 2:1-42:1 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. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Should we not assume that if the Lord would have us pray for leaders, would He not also want us to use every opportunity to assist in electing the leaders that would be the best ones for promoting peace and righteousness? Yes, Jesus, himself said to "...Render unto Caesar the things that Caesar".

Matthew 22:16: "And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

Caesar was the Roman emperor at that time, so Jesus was telling them they were to pay their taxes, as well as support the work of God. These scriptures tell us as Christians that we are to be good citizens and pay our taxes as well. As good citizens in our government structure here in the U.S.A., we should not leave the operation of the government to ungodly men. How can we prevent that? One way is to use our one vote wisely. We will be accountable before God as to how we voted. Another issue will be did we spend the time in study and prayer so that we could vote wisely for the proper candidates, as well as the right issues?

As Christians we should consider how the candidates stand on the issues and not get caught in the trap of voting strictly along party lines. Check voting records and see which candidates most closely follow Biblical standards. Some Christians just vote the Democratic or the Republican ticket because their parents voted that way. We should vote for the best man or woman for the job. They should not only be qualified for the job but should be moral people with good character traits. Voting for someone just because they tell us certain things that sound good is not the way to vote.

Some young girls have married the wrong men because they were smooth talkers and those guys swayed them with their good sounding words. These girls regret their choices because the men played on their emotions and they later found out they had no character. We must live with our choices and living with someone with no character eventually destroys a marriage. Without the traits of faithfulness, honesty and unselfishness these marriages usually fail. So it is true with the leaders we elect. We must have good honest leaders if we are to live in a national environment that will produce peace and harmony and create benefits that will be fair to all. The Bible tells us that if a man is not faithful in small things, he will not be faithful in the larger matters. Luke 16:10: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."

 

[1982r]

Hi Chad I want to ask you something about your post, In india its a diffrent game altogether, pardon my words if I call it a game but thats how things are here, I dont know of single christian who has ever come into politics and most of them are corrupt, there are so many who can you trust? I also feel the same way about voting that its our civil duty to vote but tell me if my one vote goes to the wrong person wudnt I be judged on that. I know I can pray to god to help me to vote for the right person still this's become a market here you can hardly see who is acting what.

Also they came up with something like "VOTE NOT TO VOTE", so they have given this liberty to people if they dont want to vote for anyone we can just vote not to vote and our name will be taken off the list even next year.

I actually didnt goto vote for none. I am just in a fix. one voice tells me to vote, other not to. I am not able to recognize god's voice?

 

[Boanerges]

Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
Author unknown

 

[SaulC76]

The Government Answer

I'd recently posted this on my Twine. I'll redistribute it here. These are my thoughts on voting, etc.:

The Government Answer

Have you ever wondered why it is why so many views on so many different issues seem to clutter the news? So many people trying to "change the world" for one cause or another?
Many people today are just not satisfied with the status quo. I'm one of them; you probably are, too. Who can ever be satisfied, especially with their own government? It's hard for one to be content with one's own situation.
But is government the answer, especially to the Christian? Ever since the inception of this country, Christianity has had some heavy influence in legislation. The more evolution, athesim and humanism has permeated the public psyche, though, the less influence Christianity has had. After the 60s and during the 70s, though, many Christians and conservatives had had enough of liberals in control and aggressively sought government seats, mostly through the Republican party.
What did they seek? Mainly, morality. They wanted a government that was answerable to the people and was trustworthy. They wanted a fiscally and socially conservative government. They wanted less government interference in day-to-day lives. Did they get it?
Well, yes and no. Where they did score victories in numerous elections, their whole idea was flawed. Instead of leaning on God and working the grassroots (not political grassroots, but churches and outreach) they focussed on change through government. Instead of focussing on winning hearts and minds, this movement sought and seeks change through pen and paper - legislation and government.
This has produced a very politically-correct church. Because many Christians have compromised in order to achieve political power, they've compromised their own church. Instead of giving everything over to God's hand and believing on Him, they've given over to government and belief in it. What is government other than men? Their compromise has turned into its own form of humanism.
Now, I'm not trying to say that we should not get involved in government, nor saying that trying to change things for the better in governmental circles is a bad thing. What I am saying is that the Christian ought to realize that none of that is furthering the kingdom of God. I can personally guarantee you that saying a prayer is more important than voting. Witnessing to someone about Jesus Christ is more important than any civil responsibility.
So then, what is my point? Simply this: the emphasis that many Christians place on governmental and political matters seems to far outweigh their emphasis on charitable and humanitarian causes. Jesus gave no new law, except to publish the gospel. I fear to say that many Christians have voted more times in their life than they have witnessed. The conversion of one soul for Christ will generate far more riches in heaven than a lifetime of "correct voting", writing your Congressman or demonstrating ever could... or even would.
We must not fall for the same lie that the heathen do. The answer is not in the government; ie. man. The answer lies in Jesus Christ, the hope for man. Truly, if a nation were embodied by mostly good men, the nation will be good, just as this nation is embodied by mostly evil men and, thereby this nation is mostly evil.
Haven't you ever wondered why Paul, Peter, John and the gospels never spoke about "taking back Rome" or how taxes are just plain unfair? It was because their purpose in life was far greeater than what Rome was. Their purpose was the strengthening and emboldening the church of Christ. Their purpose was the publication and proliferation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their purpose was to further the kingdom of heaven by instilling the wonderful news of salvation by Christ the Lamb of God.
By this news, men could live their life in hope. Free from all fears. Free from all shackles; governmental or otherwise. It was these thoughts that led to liberty and the belief that everyone was equal by God - if Christ died for us all and God is no respecter of persons, then by God we all ought to be free.
But if we're not free in Christ - ie, an unbeliever - then we want to be free by man. Hence, the liberal movement has been seeking the answer in the government. Sadly, the Christian's response - for the most part - has been the same.

 

[Hekuran]

Here is Amos chapter 5 colourfully translated in the Message.

Woe to all of you who want God's Judgment Day!
Why would you want to see God, want him to come?
When God comes, it will be bad news before it's good news,
the worst of times, not the best of times.
Here's what it's like: A man runs from a lion
right into the jaws of a bear.
A woman goes home after a hard day's work
and is raped by a neighbor.
At God's coming we face hard reality, not fantasy—
a black cloud with no silver lining.

"I can't stand your religious meetings.
I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
That's what I want. That's all I want.​

God cares about justice, about poverty, about the rights of the most vulnerable in society, about fairness. It is not good enough to say that these are secular issues and we must only deal with spiritual issues. I have picked out the passage from Amos because it is especially striking, but the same concern runs through the whole of the Old and the New Testament.

I agree wholeheartedly with the opening post. The only thing I would pick up on is that it describes voting as a civic responsibility only. Of course to vote is a civic responsibility – but it is more than that, voting is a spiritual duty.

If Christians who are fortunate enough to live in democracies do not demand that our politicians care for the poor at the voting booth and anywhere we can apply pressure, then we risk having Amos' words apply to us. Not a comfortable thought.

 

[sojourn4Christ]

voting is unscriptural

Voting is not a scriptural principle for God's people. Every man believes he has a right in the outcome of the destiny of society. This is a myth. If God directs men to move in a way that's led by God, then no vote can change the Will of God. The "voter registration" is secular man's faulty reasoning that he, in and of himself, can save all, if you just give him enough power, more money, more…more…more…and still more. As soon as you put your “X” on that thing that votes for that politician, you become part of the world, you voted to be ordered around. The politician needs your consent to crack a whip over your head, make you feel like the animal that you have partaken of. You are now part of the zoo of humanity.

Bondmen of Christ cannot vote because that would be violence or force. We are not into using force, you cannot force the Kingdom of God, you cannot force people to love, you cannot force your love on others, you cannot force people to be free, because that requires violence to enforce it. And "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

In the Old Testament, the people "voted" to kill Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:10). Right after they voted, God said, "...How long will this people provoke me? ...I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them," (Numbers 14:11-12), but Moses asked for mercy and God pardoned their evil ways. In the New Testament, during the trial of Christ Jesus, Pontius Pilate let the people "vote" between Barabbas and Jesus as to who they wanted set free (Matthew 27:17). The Pharisees whispered lies in the people's ears so they would vote the way they wanted them to vote. This "democratic way", this "voting privilege," allowed Jesus to be crucified!

By receiving a privilege or benefit from the government, we are gaining the favor of rulers; but scripture says, "Many wait on the favor of rulers; but justice comes to a man from the LORD" (Proverbs 29:26). In other words, those who look to the favor of governments will not really get justice, which is one reason why many people complain there is no justice in today's courts, no matter WHO they vote for. Why? Because voting does not bring about justice, in brings about injustice! Why does in bring about injustice? Because people do not "vote" to do God's Will, they "vote" to have people do their own will, for selfish reasons, and the consequences of selfishness is always injustice.

 

[Kit Carson]

I watch the world and I watch our leaders and those who wish to be our new leaders and I see nothing but greed, sin and waste of the citizens taxes. I see desire for war, I see hate, and I see inhumane things done in the name of good.

God tells us we must have government and it has the power to protect the people. I agree with this.......but what I see now is it has the power to corrupt the people. And seems intent on this course.

I cannot in my heart support any of them. God may have to thump me but I will not vote this time around as I simply see one evil versus another evil.

Instead I have prayed for a good honest men to come forward and for the people to support them.

I feel at this point it time by voting for those we now have we are simply becoming tolerant and accepting of all the evil.

I may be wrong but that is how I feel.

Kit

 

[sojourn4Christ]

a shining counterfeit

I watch the world and I watch our leaders and those who wish to be our new leaders and I see nothing but greed, sin and waste of the citizens taxes. I see desire for war, I see hate, and I see inhumane things done in the name of good.

What you describe is, in truth, all BLOOD SACRIFICE for satan. It is the price he exacts, and often from "his" own people.

God tells us we must have government and it has the power to protect the people. I agree with this.......but what I see now is it has the power to corrupt the people. And seems intent on this course.

satan is not the red-caped, pitchfork-wielding and horned diversion as portrayed in Dante's Inferno. Rather, he wants to be like the Most High. Thus, he has installed a rather convincing counterfeit de facto "government."

Instead I have prayed for a good honest men to come forward and for the people to support them.

Now we're getting somewhere! This would be required for God's kingdom to flourish.

 

[eddieb]

the "civic duty" is merely a choice between which is the lesser evil.
God gave me this scripture a while back:
ez 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

read the whole chapter. ez 22. both dems and repubs are crooked nowadays. they just held a "secret metting" whats called a closed door meeting to vote on a secret bill for the U.S. military to arrest, without probable cause, detain indefinitaly wherever who knows american citizens whom they classify as terrorists. sounds good huh? no. this is against our ammendment rights. and the term terrorist is loosely defined so if you speak out against thier wrong doings you are a domestic terroist and now on your way to guantanamo bay. this is clearly a trampeling on many american rights. this was voted to pass by both parties. (welcome to communisim america, liberty is if not dead on its death bed) they do not represent us or our rights. they do not enforce whats right, or to take it futher, what is righteousness. they care nothing for justice. the little man (bible calls "poor") are oppressed by the wickedness of "the supreme court" and put out of bussiness by the deep pockets and alliances of big corperations that are in cahoots with poloticians. the little man has recently been robbed for billions in assets for i think silver. the mans name john corzine in cahoots with mf global. said the money was "misplaced" (billions) this man did a fundraiser for obama a while back. 35000 a plate. nothing is happening to him or this company. right after the money was stolen thier assets went up the exact amount. things that make you go HMmmmmm? whats my point? it was either obama or mcain. oh yeah mcain voted yes to the bill that takes away our rights. the secret meeting one.

God is our only chance to restore any order to this country. if its a responsibility to vote, it isnt very flattering.

 

[Kit Carson]

the "civic duty" is merely a choice between which is the lesser evil.
God gave me this scripture a while back:
ez 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

read the whole chapter. ez 22. both dems and repubs are crooked nowadays. they just held a "secret metting" whats called a closed door meeting to vote on a secret bill for the U.S. military to arrest, without probable cause, detain indefinitaly wherever who knows american citizens whom they classify as terrorists. sounds good huh? no. this is against our ammendment rights. and the term terrorist is loosely defined so if you speak out against thier wrong doings you are a domestic terroist and now on your way to guantanamo bay. this is clearly a trampeling on many american rights. this was voted to pass by both parties. (welcome to communisim america, liberty is if not dead on its death bed) they do not represent us or our rights. they do not enforce whats right, or to take it futher, what is righteousness. they care nothing for justice. the little man (bible calls "poor") are oppressed by the wickedness of "the supreme court" and put out of bussiness by the deep pockets and alliances of big corperations that are in cahoots with poloticians. the little man has recently been robbed for billions in assets for i think silver. the mans name john corzine in cahoots with mf global. said the money was "misplaced" (billions) this man did a fundraiser for obama a while back. 35000 a plate. nothing is happening to him or this company. right after the money was stolen thier assets went up the exact amount. things that make you go HMmmmmm? whats my point? it was either obama or mcain. oh yeah mcain voted yes to the bill that takes away our rights. the secret meeting one.

God is our only chance to restore any order to this country. if its a responsibility to vote, it isnt very flattering.

Thanks for this!!!

It puts into fact what God has long put in my heart. How can I support or wish to support all this mess we have today?? Just simple values of honesty, kindness, fairness and understanding have long gone.

God, morals, and all good have been thrown out of all our governments and it all started with the founders of the Constitution when they took God out of the law of the land and accepted all forms of religious tolerance. So now in modern times we have temples to the false Gods ruling our land.

As for me, I live within the laws of man made government, as God tells us to, I will protest things if given a chance, but not enter into sin and violence or those things.

I pray sometimes for it to change, but it is not a sincere prayer as I know by Gods word he has told us these things will happen. Not a lot we can do about the course of things that are to be.

So to me to vote for the least of evils, is not a protest or a fuss against them, but acceptance of them. I guess though to vote for the lesser evil prolongs the fuller evil and holds it at bay a bit longer.

It is a serious mess, liars, cheaters, professional politicians and all that go with them.

One has to laugh to stay sane, so I think I will write in Snoopy. The little dog who flies his house ..............

It is an interesting time to be alive. Things seem to be on a fast course and even good men who do not believe in God have troubled hearts, let alone anyone who does follow the will of God. The evil is running loose on the fast track.

What is curious, and food for thought is I meet people every day sometimes a dozen or so, and we always speak of things sometimes and when we speak of the things of the world, no one and I mean no one is happy or in agreement with the way things are. So in some way it is all being controlled by the few. It is being controlled by the evil ones as they have succeeded in only having evil to chose from. The entire system is now invincible. Money controls those or the one who will gain the seat. A good man has no chance. If he did somehow win, he would have to fight the others and they if they could not bend his will would kill him.

It is a mess. Anyone who believes in God, looks at it all and can only cry.

Kit