In just less than a week, we’ll go to the polls to vote. And every election good Christians bemoan the fact that voting seems to end up a choice between “the lesser of two evils.”

To which I say: Then you must go vote for less evil. As Christians, I’ll go so far as to say we’re obligated to choose less evil. We are to be salt and light in a world of darkness, and to help facilitate God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven. Part of our role here is simply to help restrain evil. One way we can do that is by participating in this world’s primary instrument of behavioral constraint – government.

Some disagree with this view, soberly citing the high and inarguable standard of their conscience as a reason to not vote at all. And I they’re what I like to call… “wrong.” Heh… Here are some reasons why.

We live in a fallen world, and both Christians and non-Christians live lives of varying degrees of evil or good. It’s important to remember nobody’s perfect. So as Christians and citizens of this country, we should look for the candidate who will advance the common good and agrees with us as much as possible. You might convince yourself that by refusing to vote you’re teaching those politicians a lesson, but the reality is you’re failing to take any position and thereby tell the politicians what you believe in.

Over at Stand to Reason, Greg Koukl points out that sometimes compromising is not a compromise. This is an older article, but I think the key points about conscience and voting – especially regarding abortion – are still relevant today. The point is… sometimes we settle for something less than ideal because it accomplishes the most good possible given the circumstances.

Thomas a Kempis in Imitation of Christ said, “Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.” And a wise friend of mine once said, “Do your best. Expect the worst. And trust God for the rest.” Do your best – get out and vote next Tuesday. Then, pray and trust God – one thing I expect we can all agree on. And then remember: “The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:25).