Tennessee began it’s early voting today, October 14th. You have until October 14, 2020 to participate in early voting. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020. I thought as, I went to vote today, I would cover seven things every Christian needs to consider before voting.

1. When you vote, make sure that you vote based on the direction of the Holy Bible. The Scripture is the truth that Christians follow. When Jesus prayed for His Church, He prayed:

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

It is God’s Word that is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path (Psalm 110:105). Much of the secularization of America today has come about because the Church of Jesus Christ has not adhered to the Word of God. As believers in Christ, we are commanded to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). The great Apostle tells us:

Romans 12:2 … be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What does your candidate believe? What does the Bible tell you is right and wrong? Does what your candidate believes line up with what you believe? Christians, if we elect godless people who have no respect for the Bible, then we will vote ourselves into a place of destruction. Let God’s Word guide you.

2. Before you vote, seek God’s direction through prayer. The Bible commands us to:

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalms 37:3, 5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

3. Ask yourself what do the candidates believe on Constitutionally endorsed principles? Does the candidate truly believe in what our Constitution calls the first and second Amendments? Does he or she believe that,

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Do not vote away your First Amendment privileges! It is the First Amendment that gives you the right to freely worship the Lord in both public and private settings. Does he or she believe that,

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Whether you own a gun or not, like guns or not, “the right OF THE PEOPLE to KEEP and BEAR ARMS shall not be infringed”. Why is this important? Because when England wanted to keep Americans in their place, one of the first things they did was outlaw guns among the colonists. The Tenth Amendment Center writes:

“Following the passage of the Intolerable Acts, the Massachusetts Government Act dissolved the provincial government in the state, and General Thomas Gage was appointed royal governor, all which inflamed tensions and prompted backlash from Americans who saw it as the Crown attempted to force their colonies into submission. … It was clear to the British that gun control measures would be necessary if they were to maintain their rule. Gage had only 2,000 troops in Boston, while there were thousands of armed men in Boston and more in the surrounding area.

One solution, Kopel writes, was to deprive the Americans of gunpowder. In September 1774, several hundred Redcoats raided a Charlestown powder house – where militias and merchants stored their gunpowder due to its volatile nature – and seized all but the powder belonging to the colonial government. … In October 1774 the Provincial Congress convened, with John Hancock acting as its president. The Congress adopted a resolution that condemned the military occupation of Boston and called on private citizens to arm themselves and engage in military drills. The Provincial Congress also appointed a Committee of Safety, giving it the power to call up the militia. “

It is the Second Amendment that gives American citizens the right to keep and bear arms, lest the government become tyrannical. The Second Amendment protects the other Amendments, that is, our freedom as American citizens.

4. Ask yourself, What do the candidates believe on practical Christian application? Does the candidate view all life as sacred? Do they agree that God is the Designer of Life? Do they agree with the Scripture, that all people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)? Does the candidate have a policy to give welfare to the genuinely needy?

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

5. What is the track record of the candidate? If the candidate has previously been in office, what did he or she do while they were in office? Did he or she abuse their office, or were they guilty of malingering at the public expense? You are not voting for a pastor, but a politician. Whether the candidate is a professed Christian or not should not influence your vote. There are many who profess Christ, but do not live Christlike lives. As the Bible says:

James 2:17-19 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

6. Bear in mind that Our God is ultimately in control. We are God’s instruments that He uses to bring about His plan.

Romans 13:1-4 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

7. Finally, regardless as to who wins, commit yourself to pray for that individual. The Bible commands us to pray for our leaders. It is disheartening to hear people say, “He might be YOUR President, but he’s not MINE”. You are an American Christian. You live in this country. Whoever is elected is indeed YOUR President. As a citizen of America and as citizens of the Kingdom of God you are commanded to pray for your leaders.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 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 Savior;

Your vote matters. Look up to God, and vote! May God bless you all this election year. Amen and Amen.