“What sort of New Year's Resolution should a Christian make?”……The practice of making New Year's resolutions goes back over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year's resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year's resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make?……Common New Year's resolutions are commitments to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more time with family. By far, the most common New Year's resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating more healthily. These are all good goals to set. However Scripture, instructs us to keep exercise in perspective:

1 Timothy 4:8

"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."

The vast majority of New Year's resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be.……Many Christians make New Year's resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year's resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year's resolution.

Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity.

For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do?

Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself? I should rather say:…Philippians 4:13

For I can do everything through Christ,[who gives me strength.

And will remain in Him in order to produce the fruit of the spirit

John 15:5

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

If God is the center of your New Year's resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it.

If it is God's will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it.

If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God's Word, we will not receive God's help in fulfilling the resolution.……So, what sort of New Year's resolution should a Christian make? Here are some suggestions:

(1) pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make

James 1:5

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

(2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you;

(3) rely on God's strength to help you;

(4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you;

(5) don't become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further;

(6) don't become proud or vain, but give God the glory.

Psalm 37:5-6

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.