Should Christians be involved in politics, such as campaigning for a candidate?

There’s nothing in Scripture that directly promotes or condemns being involved in politics, so determining whether one should be involved in politics in any fashion, whether it be campaigning for a candidate or any other kind of support, is a liberty or freedom we have.  Yet there are scriptural precepts concerning the freedoms we have which one must keep in mind so we will exercise our freedoms in ways which please God.

For example, to use an analogy that in some ways is related to politics, there is nothing in Scripture that says, “Thou shalt not watch the news,” or, “Thus says the Lord: watch the news.”  Therefore, we have the freedom to watch the news if we choose.  Yet, what if I love watching the news so much that almost every free moment I have is spent watching the news to the detriment of focusing on the spiritual?  Suppose while I’m driving to work or home from work, I’m listening to the news.  And then while I’m at home, I’m constantly watching the news.  When I’m on social media, the only thing I’ll read or talk about is the news.  When I talk to anyone, it’s almost a guarantee that it’ll be about the news.  Meanwhile, my prayer life is either non-existent or limited to a few seconds of thanking God for the food…even though God tells me to “Continue steadfastly in prayer” (Col. 4:2) and “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).  The only time I’ll open the pages of my Bible is during the sermon at church…even though God says the righteous man’s “delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:2).  I won’t hesitate to talk to anyone and everyone about the news, but it’s been a very long time since I’ve brought up Jesus and the gospel to the people I know…even though Jesus himself said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mk. 16:15).  I care very, very much about whether my political goals are achieved and what is said on the news about my candidate or the opposing candidate…but I don’t really think all that often about my spiritual or evangelistic goals.  Whether it be news, politics, or anything else we have the freedom to do, something can be inherently without sin and yet become sinful if we allow it to take precedence over our spiritual priorities (Matt. 6:33; Col. 3:1-2).  It can be very easy for politics to put God and Christian responsibilities on the back burner.

Along these lines, Christians should remember that the political world can very easily be an ugly world.  Discussing the pros and cons of candidates and one’s support or dislike of candidates can very easily turn into arguments in which ungodly things are said and done, all in the name of defending the political candidate of one’s choice.  Sometimes candidates’ personal character and/or their policies can be completely above board…and sometimes a candidate’s personal character or policies, or both, can be abhorrent and against what Christians are supposed to stand behind.  So while Christians inherently have the freedom to support political candidates, in some cases exercising that freedom in certain ways would be detrimental to the cause of Christ.

In the context of discussing how we should use what we have the freedom to do in ways which please God, Paul wrote: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor. 10:31-33).”  He also wrote in the context of discussing one’s personal freedoms:  “The faith that you have (contextually, the personal belief which you have the freedom to hold), keep between yourself and God.  Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves” (Rom. 14:22).  Both Paul and Peter commanded that honor and respect are to be shown to those in positions of political authority at all times, regardless of who they are or how they govern (Rom. 13:7; Tit. 3:1-11; 1 Pet. 2:11-17).  The Titus and Peter commands directly tie showing respect to those in power with the influence one has in converting the lost to Christ. 

To apply all of these commands to one’s involvement in politics, ask yourself this.  Would my support of this candidate’s policies go against clear scriptural principles?  Perhaps my support of this candidate’s policies would not violate any scriptural principles, but if the candidate is personally reprehensible then would my public, advertised support of an openly immoral candidate hurt my influence as a Christian in the eyes of the lost and thus possibly turn them off to the gospel which can save them eternally?  When I discuss with others my support for the candidate, do I find myself getting into arguments more times than not?  Is it easier to give into the temptation to speak to others with biting sarcasm, insult them or the candidate, show biased judgment that ignores or downplays facts which would be inconvenient to my position, and thus exercise degrees of hypocrisy…all in the name of showing support for my candidate?  Because I am so easily inclined to talk to others about my political views, has it been a while since I decided it would be better for my influence as a Christian if I decided to keep to myself my political opinions and determinations about who I will support?  If one answers “Yes” to any of these questions, then God would want you to re-assess how you could apply all of the above scriptural commands to the aspects of your life which involve politics.

While discussing how to use personal freedoms to the glory of God, Paul also wrote: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:24-27).  It takes self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), to properly use the freedoms we have to further the cause of Christ rather than hinder it, and that includes our freedom to involve ourselves in the political process.  Let us examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5), and exercise self-control as God would have us.