It’s easy to get caught up in the personalities of those running for office. We’ve all seen it—the media highlights the charisma, the flaws, the mannerisms, and the behavior of candidates, painting them in extremes. Some people love a certain candidate’s charm; others can’t stand their brashness. But there’s a growing trend that should deeply concern Christians: choosing a candidate based on personality rather than their policies.

I’ve seen it far too often—believers who agree with a candidate’s policies, yet refuse to vote for them simply because they don’t like their personality. They say things like, “I just don’t like their tone,” or “I can’t stand the way they speak.” Meanwhile, they cast their vote for another candidate whose policies directly contradict their own Christian values. This, I believe, is a dangerous path for the Christians to take.

The Christian Duty to Prioritize Policies over Personality

We must remind ourselves that political leadership is not about making us feel comfortable or entertained. It’s about governing and creating policies that will impact our nation for generations. God has not called us to vote for those who make us feel good but for those whose policies reflect, protect, and promote the moral and biblical principles we hold dear.

We cannot afford to fall into the trap of elevating personality over policy. While a candidate’s character is important, we should not allow personal dislikes or the appeal of charm to overshadow the core issues that shape society.

Policies Reflect Worldviews, not Personality

Policies are not just random decisions made by politicians. They are the outworking of a candidate’s worldview, which will influence how they govern on critical issues. A candidate’s policies on life, family, freedom, justice, the economy, and the environment are expressions of their values. Policies impact the lives of the unborn, the vulnerable, the family unit, and even how the economy operates.

If you find yourself agreeing with a candidate’s policies—policies that align with biblical values—you must ask yourself: Why would I vote for someone else just because I don’t like this candidate’s personality?

Your vote is not an endorsement of a person’s demeanor, but of the worldview, values, and agenda they represent through their policies.

The troubling trend is that Christians are voting for candidates whose policies are in direct conflict with their beliefs simply because they prefer that candidate’s personality. They say, “Well, Candidate A supports most of what I believe, but I don’t like how they come across. Candidate B, though, is more pleasant to listen to, so I’ll go with them.” Are you willing to set aside your deeply held beliefs for a personality?

The Repercussions of Misguided Voting

The decision to vote for a candidate whose policies starkly oppose Christian values on life, liberty, and the family carries serious consequences. When you cast that vote, you aren’t just selecting a person; you’re giving approval to an entire agenda that could profoundly reshape society.

A candidate doesn’t come into office alone. They bring with them a political platform, a list of proposals, executive orders, cabinet members, and advisers who will have a major influence on the direction of our nation. These are the people who will shape policy on critical issues like education, healthcare, religious freedom, and even what our children are taught in schools.

Imagine voting for someone who supports policies that undermine the sanctity of life by promoting unrestricted abortion. Consider the future of religious liberty when a candidate backs policies that would compel Christians to violate their conscience or face legal consequences. And consider the effect on your children—what will schools teach them about gender, family, and morality?

These are not small, isolated issues. Voting for someone who stands against these principles because their personality is more likable is not only short-sighted—it’s dangerous. It’s a betrayal of our values and, frankly, a betrayal of the future you want for your children and grandchildren.

Ask the Questions

It’s easy to focus on the here and now—the debates, the social media clips, the interviews. But policies have long-term consequences. Voting based on personality may provide temporary satisfaction, but policies shape laws, guide decisions, and affect future generations.

When you vote, you need to be asking the right questions:

• Do you know what the platform is?
• Do you know what proposals are being suggested for implementation if elected?
• Do you understand how those proposals align (or don’t align) with biblical values?

Specifically, consider these:

• Life: Who will protect the unborn and advocate for the dignity of every human being, from conception to natural death?
• Family: Which candidate will defend the family as God designed it and support parental rights?
• Who will guarantee that churches are not required to follow government orders on marriage and gender?
• Justice: Which candidate will implement laws that promote justice that protect the vulnerable and innocent?
• Economy: Who will create an economy that rewards hard work, protects private property, and lifts people out of poverty without creating dependency on the state?
• Sex & Gender: Which candidate will defend the biblical understanding of male and female, and oppose policies that harm children by pushing radical gender ideologies?

You need to be informed about the policies being put forth. Personality will not fix the economy, keep us safe, and uphold your values. Personality will not decide whether your children are taught biblical truth or gender confusion in schools. It is the policies that will dictate these realities.

These are just some of the critical issues that will be impacted by the policies of the next administration. If we lose sight of the importance of these policies, we risk voting for a future that is increasingly hostile to the values we hold as Christians.

A Final Word of Caution

Now, this doesn’t mean that character doesn’t matter. Integrity, honesty, and humility are vital in leadership. But personality—how likable or dislikable someone is—should not be what sways your vote. The Bible is filled with leaders who were flawed and far from perfect in their presentation—yet God used them to accomplish His purposes because their hearts were aligned with His will, or at the very least, their actions brought about His purposes.

There are times when not voting for a candidate at all might be a more responsible option than voting for someone whose policies run contrary to your values just because you don’t like the alternative’s personality. Abstaining from voting for a specific office, in such cases, can sometimes be the lesser evil.

At the end of the day, your vote should be an extension of your Christian values—not an emotional reaction to personality. Don’t let the world’s superficial standards dictate your choices. Instead, let the eternal truths of Scripture guide you. Policies will shape the future—far more than personality ever will.