John Wesley's Election Advice

Every time there is an election, I am mindful of the advice that John Wesley, the founder

of the Methodist movement, gave to voters back in his day. With our nation’s election

coming up next week, I wanted to share this advice with you for your prayerful

consideration.

In his journal from Thursday, October 6, 1774, Wesley wrote: “I met those of our society

who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them: 1. To vote, without fee or

reward, for the person they judged most worthy; 2. To speak no evil of the person they

voted against; and, 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that

voted on the other side.”

In the come and go of election cycles, Wesley’s words never fail to be relevant.

Let’s break his advice down a bit. First of all, Wesley encouraged them to vote. Our right

to vote freely for the candidates we judge most worthy is a sacred privilege and should

not be taken lightly. This is a right that people have fought and died to secure and to

preserve for us to exercise. Let us not forget that have a voice in what is important to

us, and our vote is that voice. And it is incumbent upon us to be informed about the

platforms and priorities of the candidates for office, not just at the national level but

especially at the state and local levels where many of the policies often more directly

impact our lives. And then, once we are so informed, to vote for those we in our own

conscience judge most worthy.

Second, he advised them not to speak evil of those they voted against. Sadly, in

election seasons like this, we tend to hear far too much evil, misinformation, and mean-

spiritedness spoken by candidates on all sides about their opposition. But just because

we hear so much evil being spoken doesn’t mean that we need to speak it ourselves.

Christians are called in Christ to a different way of being in the world. We are called to a

higher standard. I’m reminded of Paul’s words to the Ephesians: “Let no evil talk come

out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your

words may give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29 NRSV).

And third, he advised them to be careful that their own spirits were not sharpened

against those who may have voted differently. In other words, we are to guard our own

hearts, that we don’t look upon our neighbors as enemies. Again, I’m reminded of Paul’s

words to the Ephesians: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,

along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving

each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph 4:20-31 NIV).

I pray that Wesley’s words from long ago may resonate in our hearts and minds in the

days and weeks to come, and that we also remember that regardless of who may be in

the seats in the halls of earthly power, the Lord God is still on the throne of heaven.