In the October 2026 edition of Decision Magazine (posted by Billy Graham.org), there is an article titled, “How to Vote Like Jesus.”
The article reminds us:
What a Vote Is—and Is Not
Some Christians sit out elections or paralyze themselves because they misunderstand what a vote means.
A vote is not a valentine. You are not declaring your love for a candidate or endorsing everything that person has ever done. Personalities come and go; policies can shape generations. So do not vote on vibes. Ask who is most likely to govern well and whose platform most aligns with Scripture.
A ballot is not a mailbox. Some believers decide that sitting out an election “sends a message.” It does not, because nobody reads it. Don’t waste your chance to make a difference trying to make a point nobody will receive.
A vote is not a sacrament. Casting a ballot isn’t a holy act that demands absolute purity in the person you’re voting for. Jesus is not on the ballot. The task is not to identify a sinless candidate, but to choose wisely among the best available options.
A vote is a lever. Jesus called His people the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). Salt slowed decay. When Christians vote, they are not declaring that a candidate embodies all their values. They are choosing to leverage the policies most likely to slow societal decay by restraining evil, protecting the vulnerable and preserving space for what is good.
Choosing Among Imperfect Leaders
Because Jesus isn’t on the ballot, our options are imperfect. Fortunately, the Old Testament kings give us a framework for how to make tough choices when we don’t love our options.
Because Jesus isn’t on the ballot, our options are imperfect. Fortunately, the Old Testament kings give us a framework for how to make tough choices when we don’t love our options.
There is the Josiah leader: a righteous person who promotes righteous things. Josiah rediscovered God’s Law and led the nation toward repentance. But Josiah is not always on the ballot.
There are Ahab and Jezebel leaders: unrighteous people who advance wicked things. They led Israel into idolatry, persecuted the prophets, stole from citizens and murdered the innocent.
Then there are Jehu leaders: deeply flawed people used by God to accomplish good things. Jehu executed judgment on godless leadership but also tolerated idolatry. He was not a Josiah, but he was vastly preferable to Ahab.
We shouldn’t treat a Jehu like a Josiah by pretending imperfections do not exist in a candidate. But when the choice is between an Ahab and a Jehu, between leaders who will advance wickedness and a flawed leader who will do some good, that choice is not actually complicated. A flawed leader used for good purposes is better than suffering under wicked leadership.
That does not give Christians permission to ignore character. It gives us permission to make a sober choice without demanding a perfect one. Evaluate character and policy. Consider the consequences for society. And then choose the best available path with an open hand.
Please follow the link and read the entire article. God has placed us in a representative republic. There are certain responsibilities that come with living in America. We need to live up to those responsibilities.
