Wasting a Vote- According to Whom?

There is a common school of thought that upholds the idea that the only vote that should be cast is one for a candidate that has a likelihood (by human reasoning) of winning their associated office. Is the counsel of limiting your vote to the leading candidates based on faithful stewardship or is it placing pragmatism over principle? Let us look to God’s Holy Word for the appropriate response to this question.

When Daniel was given the vision and understanding of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream from the Lord, he praised the One and Only True God. Included in Daniel’s praise was the following verse:

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings (Daniel 2:21, KJV)

What a freeing thought that those that are set up as civil magistrates are placed there by the Lord Himself. He does not need our human scheming in order to accomplish a particular result. In no way does this justify complacency or a lack of involvement in the political process, but instead points out that the responsibility we have before the Lord does not extend to using the outcome of an election to justify our action. Instead, we are each accountable before Our Heavenly Father to be obedient to what He commands regardless of the outcome. As we consider how we are to vote, our concern should be on submitting our will to the Word of God. For those of us who claim the Name of Christ, we do not have the option to use our vote for political expediency.

There are many who will appropriately extol the virtue of someone who is willing to stand up against the ungodly based on principles and convictions even if that stand leads to being martyred for their faith. Yet, many who praise the courage of the martyrs will then condemn those who cast their ballot based on the same principles and convictions! That condemnation takes the form of raising the accusation that such a vote is wasted if the candidate is unlikely to be elected. Since we are to be advancing the crown rights of Christ on this earth through our obedience to His Word, it appears clear to me that the only votes that are wasted are those that are cast based on fear of men rather than based on a holy fear of the living God!