The lesser of two evils? 

You might find it interesting that the Biblical concept of good and evil is not a complicated one, though it is often overcomplicated. Biblically speaking, something (or someone) is either good or evil, just or unjust. There really is no third category with God. I am not sure when or how, but it seems fallen humanity has created this idea of a “lesser evil.” I don’t remember when I first heard about this, but I do know it is something spoken with greater frequency, especially every presidential election cycle. 

Now, not all people use this “lesser evil” language or feel this way about the political landscape, so the point of this article will not equally apply to everyone. Some folks are quite convinced their politician of choice is a good person, perhaps even a godly person, and hence, they have no qualms at all supporting them. On the other end of the spectrum, those who do not concern themselves with spiritual matters could care less if their candidate has an ounce of “religion” anywhere about them and absolutely support their candidate. 

However, among the circles I most often run in, we have found ourselves in quite the political conundrum. The candidate for the Republican party, Donald Trump, no longer represents many traditional conservative values. Trump has blatantly claimed to be the “most pro-gay president in history” (his words). And after the primaries, quite conveniently, has moved far more to the middle on the subject of abortion. The Republican nominee nor his running mate are pro-life. These are not slanderous accusations. They are verifiable truths. Now, I realize that not everyone who reads my writing agrees with my position on these matters. That’s your choice. But I love my neighbor enough not to condone those things God condemns. 

Therefore, what are Evangelicals to do? There is no chance anyone in my circle will vote for Harris. But at the same time, there is some dismay at Trump’s departure from pro-traditional-family and pro-life values. So what do we do? 

Here is how our situation has been repeatedly presented to me: with only two options in front of us, we must choose the lesser of two evils. Or it has been said this way, “we realize our guy isn’t perfect, and doesn’t represent all we would like, but he is the better choice, so we must support him.” This paradigm is presented as proof positive of why we ought to support those with whom we do not fully agree. To further this line of thinking, a Biblical argument is made stating that all men are sinners and, as such, there are no perfect candidates. Hence, we must do what we have always done and choose between the lesser of the two evils – whether we like it or not. 

Here is the problem with that kind of thinking: Scripturally speaking, there is no such thing as a lesser evil. Something or someone is either good or evil. Yes, we are all sinners needing God’s saving and forgiving grace. But that doesn’t mean we can brand all men as evil. The Apostle Paul, after his conversion, was still a sinner and said so repeatedly, but he was not an evil man. Ronald Reagan was a sinner but not an evil man. Lewis Kiger is a sinner, the chief of them, but I hope I am not an evil man. Adolf Hitler, on the other hand, was an evil man. Don’t conflate these differences. 

As Christians consider who to support and who to vote for, we ought to think Biblically. If we do, we will learn this: when faced with the lesser of two evils, we should choose neither. Both options are still evil. There is no mysterious third category. Throughout Scripture, good is set in direct contradiction to evil. There is no good, evil, and less evil. There is only good and evil. 

Take note of just a few of the passages that relate this unpopular truth: 

Deuteronomy 30:15: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil”… then in verse 19, Moses compels Israel to “choose life.” In black and white, there is a clear contrast between good and evil. Do not intermix the two. Psalms 37:27 states, “Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.” Amos 5:15: “Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate.” Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.” In each of these passages, evil is set in direct distinction to good. 

Let me give you a few more Scriptures: Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” This passage doesn’t teach us to support the lesser evil, but to hate and despise what is evil. Later in that same chapter we read in verse 21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Do you see the difference? We are not to work with evil, lesser or otherwise, but to overcome evil with good. 

1 Peter 3:11 tells us to “turn away from evil and do good.” John the Apostle wrote, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good (3 John 11).  In each of these cases, evil is the very opposite of good. My conclusion then is this: there is no lesser evil. God sees something (or someone) as either good or evil. The born-again believer, though still a sinner, is not evil. Instead, the Christian is robed in the righteousness of Christ and is in good standing before God. Contrariwise, the blackness of sin still covers the unconverted individual and is evil in God’s sight. 

Therefore, if you want to support one particular candidate for whatever reason, that is your choice. I am not trying to tell anyone how to vote. However, if you care about Biblical accuracy, refrain from wresting the Scriptures to further your political agenda or justify your position. 

If we want to obey the Bible and honor God, when faced with “two evils,” choose neither. Neither the greater evil nor the supposed lesser evil promotes good. May God have mercy on this nation … because our choices are not good.