Is my thinking about how to vote wrong?

My answer to you would be different if you were seeking “pro-choice” and “pro-gay” candidates and voting for them exclusively on the basis of your agreement with them in those areas. My answer to you would also be different if you explained how conflicted you were with the choice of candidates, but then cast your ballot against the guidance of your conscience. Because of the rationale you provided, I cannot label your proposed action as sinful.

Voting for candidates, especially at the national level, is a serious matter. When we move beyond the personalities and news sound bites, we recognize the party platform and personal agenda associated with each candidate. And when you and I cast a vote for a candidate, we are empowering that person to act in our behalf. That is why serious consideration of the candidates’ stand on issues is so important.

But this is exactly where serious consideration can become so complex. One candidate may be pro-life, while being deficient, in your estimation, in personal qualities and/or proposed public policies. Another candidate may be pro-choice, while having, let’s say, less overall negatives associated with him or her. In situations like this, Christians who wrestle with the choices—and their conscience—may arrive at different conclusions.

It may be that some Christians feel they cannot in good conscience vote for either candidate. It may be that some Christians take a “lesser of two evils” approach and vote against the candidate whom they consider to be a greater danger to society. It may be that some Christians vote with some reservation but in good conscience for the candidate who represents most of their own values and positions.

The reality is that there is no perfect candidate; every candidate is flawed. In the end, a sinner will be elected to the presidency. I mention this not to minimize your struggles but to put this and every election into perspective.

Thankfully, in spite of the outcome of any presidential election, our God reigns; he “reigns over the nations” (Psalm 47:8). God rules and reigns over the nations of this world in the best interests of his church. And so let me encourage you and all readers of this question and answer to follow God’s instruction through his apostle: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).

Pray for our country and its leaders at all levels, that the Christian Church and its members may continue to carry out its important work of proclaiming God’s law and gospel to a world that desperately needs to hear it.