Ever feel like opening your social media feed during an election year is basically like walking into a digital blender? It’s loud. It’s mean. Everyone is claiming they have the "biblical" take on who should be in office. If you've been wondering what does the bible say about politics and voting, honestly, you aren’t alone. It’s a massive topic that gets flattened into soundbites way too often.
Here is the thing: the Bible wasn't written in a democracy. Paul, Peter, and Jesus weren't filling out ballots in a local gymnasium or watching exit polls on CNN. They lived under the Roman Empire—a brutal, authoritarian regime that eventually executed many of them. So, when we look for guidance, we have to look at the principles of how they related to power, because the specific "how-to" of a 21st-century republic just isn't there in the text.
The Foundation of Dual Citizenship
The most famous interaction Jesus had regarding politics happened when some religious leaders tried to trap him with a tax question. You probably know the line. He looked at a denarius and said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s."
That’s found in Matthew 22. It’s short. It’s punchy. It also changed everything.
By saying that, Jesus basically acknowledged that earthly governments have a legitimate, albeit limited, sphere of authority. You pay your taxes. You follow the laws. But—and this is the huge part—the government doesn't own your soul. Your "image" belongs to God, not the state. This creates a sort of "dual citizenship" tension that Christians have been wrestling with for two thousand years.
Romans 13 and the "Submission" Controversy
If you've spent any time in church circles, you’ve heard Romans 13:1 quoted. "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities."
People love to use this to shut down debate. "The Bible says obey the government, so just do what they say." But it’s more complex than that. Context matters. Paul wrote this to a small group of Christians in Rome who were tiny, vulnerable, and living under a government that would eventually light them on fire to provide street lamps for Nero’s garden.
Paul argues that government exists, ideally, to restrain evil and promote order. It’s a tool for the common good. However, the Bible also shows us plenty of "holy troublemakers." Think about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel. They flat-out refused to bow to a government statue. Or the apostles in Acts 5:29 who told the authorities, "We must obey God rather than men."
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Basically, the Bible says government is necessary, but it isn't God. When the state asks for the worship or the moral compromise that only belongs to God, the Bible says "No thanks."
What About the Act of Voting?
Since voting is our primary way of engaging in politics today, people naturally want a verse that tells them how to do it. You won't find one.
What you will find is a recurring theme of stewardship. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus talks about being responsible for what you've been given. In a democracy, you’ve been given a tiny sliver of political power—your vote.
Think of it this way: if you saw a neighbor being mistreated and you had the power to stop it, the Bible generally suggests you should help. Proverbs 31:8 says, "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute." If a vote is a way to "open your mouth" for the vulnerable, then voting becomes an act of neighbor-love.
It’s not just about your own bank account. It’s about the "widow and the orphan"—the biblical shorthand for anyone the system tends to overlook.
The Kingdom vs. The Empire
One of the biggest mistakes we make when asking what does the bible say about politics and voting is thinking that God is exclusively on one side of the aisle.
In the book of Joshua, right before the battle of Jericho, Joshua sees a mysterious man with a drawn sword. Joshua asks the logical question: "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?" The man—who many scholars believe was a manifestation of God—responds with a bit of a curveball: "No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord."
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God didn't sign up for Joshua's team. Joshua had to align with God's.
This is a massive reality check. It means our political parties are, at best, flawed human attempts to organize society. Neither the Left nor the Right perfectly maps onto the "Kingdom of God." If you find yourself agreeing with 100% of a party's platform without any hesitation, you might be following a party more than a scripture. The Bible often critiques both the hoarding of wealth (which leans one way) and the abandonment of moral absolutes (which leans another).
Character vs. Policy: The Eternal Debate
Should you vote for the person with the "godly" character or the person with the "godly" policies?
The Bible doesn't give a simple answer, which is frustrating. On one hand, you have the requirements for leaders in passages like Exodus 18:21, which mentions "able men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe." Character clearly matters.
On the other hand, God used King Cyrus—a pagan Persian king—to free the Israelites from Babylonian captivity. Isaiah 45 actually calls Cyrus God’s "anointed." Cyrus wasn't a believer. He didn't have "biblical values." But his policies served God's purposes for the nation.
This is why Christians often disagree so sharply. Some prioritize the "Cyrus" model (results over character), while others prioritize the "Exodus" model (character as a prerequisite for leadership). Both have biblical precedents.
Avoiding the "Idol" of Politics
Kinda crazy how politics can become a religion, right?
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We start thinking that if the "wrong" person wins, the world is over. Or if our "savior" candidate wins, everything will be perfect. The Bible calls this idolatry. Psalm 146:3 is pretty blunt: "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation."
Political engagement is good. Political obsession is dangerous. When your peace of mind depends on the results of an election, you've accidentally swapped your faith in God for a faith in a political system.
Practical Steps for the Biblically-Minded Voter
So, how do you actually apply this? It’s not about finding a "Christian" candidate—it’s about being a Christian voter.
- Audit your "News" diet. If you spend four hours a day watching cable news and ten minutes reading the Bible, your worldview is being shaped by pundits, not prophets. Flip that ratio.
- Focus on the vulnerable. When looking at a policy or a candidate, ask: "How does this affect the person with the least power in our society?" This aligns with the heart of the prophets like Amos and Micah.
- Practice "Political Fasting." Every once in a while, step back. Remind yourself that the Church has survived emperors, dictators, and kings for 2,000 years. It will survive an election cycle.
- Check your tone. James 1:20 says that "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." If you’re being a jerk on Facebook in the name of Jesus, you’ve already lost the plot.
- Pray for everyone. Not just the ones you like. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 explicitly instructs us to pray for "all who are in high positions." That includes the ones you didn't vote for. Especially the ones you didn't vote for.
Understanding what does the bible say about politics and voting requires a bit of humility. It's about recognizing that while we are called to be active participants in our world, our ultimate hope isn't found in a ballot box. It’s found in a different kind of kingdom entirely.
Go vote. Be thoughtful. But don't lose your soul in the process.
Next Steps:
Research the specific platforms of your local candidates through a non-partisan lens like Ballotpedia, then sit down with a copy of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) and see where the gaps are. Commit to one "political" action this week that has nothing to do with arguing—like serving at a local food bank or helping a neighbor—to remind yourself that the most impactful "politics" is often local and personal.