To gain votes, candidates play on our emotions. They will make moving speeches that promise the moon and have no real ability to deliver it. To gain votes, candidates speak to your wants, not necessarily your needs. Their platforms are designed to act as your savior. More money in your pocket, less debt on your account, fewer taxes, more freedoms… Very few of these promises ever really deliver. But somehow, we forget that by the time the next election rolls around. To gain votes, candidates will smear their opponents with no regard to truth or reality. In the popular culture, it doesn’t matter if the claim is true. It only matters if it’s believed. 

Contrary to what you might think, I don’t believe government is bad and I don’t wish for capitalism to end. As far as I can see, a Theocracy (a country where God is King) is the only better option. However, we must be aware up front that the major flaw in a country where popularity rules is our sin. People who don’t know Jesus will say “Who cares?” But they don’t really mean “Do what you want.” They mean “Do what you want as long as it doesn’t affect me and keep me from doing what I want.” Sin matters because self rules. As far as I know there is no such thing as a Sin Meter, or tool that exists to measure our level of rebellion. But there is something better. It’s called Virtue.

God created us with an innate sense of what is right and wrong. I suggest the most important question we should ask about a political candidate should be “Is the person virtuous? Do they value others above themselves? Are they willing to set aside their own wants and likes for the greater good? Do they ascribe to a higher authority than themselves?” If the answer to these questions is “Yes,” I am much more likely to vote for that person, regardless of their political party or platform. If not, you couldn’t buy my vote.

I’ve heard people cop out of this by saying “I’m not trying to elect a pastor.” That line of thinking is full of holes. What do you mean? You don’t care about the values of your elected officials? I don’t want to elect a pastor either, but I do want people in office who know the difference between right and wrong. If we vote on people based on how much personal benefit we are going to receive, our nation will continue down the hole. But if those who know better vote differently, things might begin to change. 

Trust me, I’m not advocating for a particular party. I don’t think the government is our savior. I worship one much higher than the POTUS could ever be. I am advocating for personal values in government. You realize, the ability to elect moral officials is in OUR hands, right? Or do morals matter in the halls of government? 

We all recognize that murder is wrong, but life is becoming cheaper and cheaper with the encroachment of abortion and euthanasia laws. We all recognize that truth is absolute, but it becomes more and more relevant every time a politician lies. We all recognize it’s wrong to steal, but how many of us can name more than 10 politicians who’ve been charged with stealing, fiscal irresponsibility or cheating? We all say adultery is wrong, but how many politicians have left their marriage bed for another? Dear reader, virtue matters as much today as it did when Jesus told us the best example of love was for someone to lay his life down for his friends. The only question that remains is will you allow it to be your political filter.

I challenge you as this November approaches. Listen to the debates. Read the platforms. Do your research—and that does not mean on social media. But do it all through the lens of God’s righteous standard. Let virtue determine your stance and then vote. Disregard what pop culture has to say. It’s rarely right in discussions that really matter. Vote as a Christ follower who knows the halls of law and justice are best filled with people who know the difference between right and wrong.