{"id":297392,"date":"2025-06-16T16:47:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T16:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/new-years-resolutions-a-christian-perspective\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T16:47:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T16:47:52","slug":"new-years-resolutions-a-christian-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=297392","title":{"rendered":"New Year’s Resolutions: A Christian Perspective\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The practice of making new year\u2019s resolutions dates as far back as 2,000 BC,<\/a> and history has it that it began with the ancient Babylonians. Although, their year did not begin in January<\/a>, but in mid-March during the planting season at which time they made promises to pay their debts and return borrowed objects. This idea of making promises at the start of a new year is what birthed New Year\u2019s resolutions.\u00a0This post is about New Year\u2019s resolutions from a Christian perspective.<\/p>\n

While there is nothing wrong with making new year\u2019s resolutions, research<\/a> has shown that only 9% of Americans stick to their new year\u2019s resolutions and in fact 23% of people quit their new year\u2019s resolution by the end of the first week and 43% quit by the end of January. This is due to a variety of reasons including making new year\u2019s resolutions to fulfill tradition rather than a genuine desire to change. Another reason is due to making new year\u2019s resolutions without fully understanding what it takes to fulfill the resolutions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We see in the book of Acts 19:13-16<\/a> how the seven sons of Sceva proceeded to imitate Paul and his use of Jesus\u2019 name to cast out demons without having a full understanding of the name of Jesus or the import of it. In the end, the\u00a0man who had the demon overpowered, attacked, and wounded them such that they fled the place naked.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Christian\u2019s Make New Year\u2019s Resolutions?<\/h2>\n

Before we examine a Christian perspective to making new year\u2019s resolutions, let\u2019s examine the meaning of resolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Meaning of Resolution\u00a0<\/h2>\n

The word resolution means to be resolute, that is, to be determined, and firm in the decision to do or not to do something. Such resolutions\u00a0made at the start of a new year are often referred to as new year\u2019s resolutions. And they\u2019re usually a result of reflection and introspection of the past year and a desire to do better. An example of a new year\u2019s resolution could be to eat healthier, exercise more, pray more, spend more time with family, spend more time with God, attend college etc.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When to Make New Year\u2019s Resolutions?\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Should we only wait till the start of a new year before making resolutions? I personally don\u2019t think so, I think we can make resolutions all year round as we examine ourselves. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The bible specifically instructs us as Christians to examine ourselves;\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV)<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This directive to examine ourselves has no end date, it should be an ongoing activity, and as we do so, we are to course correct if we notice deviations from the faith.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Related:<\/strong> How to Start a New Beginning with God<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Does the Bible Say About New Year\u2019s Resolutions?\u00a0<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re like me, you\u2019ve probably wondered what the bible says about new year\u2019s resolutions. While you may not exactly find the words \u201cnew year\u2019s resolutions\u201d in the bible, the bible encourages us to make resolutions through the power of the Holy Spirit and keep them. Below, I share 5 examples of people who made resolutions in faith and kept them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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5 Examples of People That Made Resolutions in the Bible\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Daniel<\/strong> \u2013 He was one of the captives taken to Babylon by king Nebuchadnezzar and was chosen as one of the favored few to learn the tongue of the Chaldeans and serve the king. Daniel made a resolution not to defile himself with the king\u2019s food and wine that was appointed to him as his daily provision. He chose instead to eat pulses and drink water. (Daniel 1:8-12)<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another example of someone that made a resolution in the bible was Job.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Job<\/strong> \u2013 In Job 31:1, Job said that he had made a covenant with his eyes not to look upon a woman, that is, lustfully. That was his personal resolution, a resolution he made with himself because he wanted to please God. It only came up because his friends questioned his uprightness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I\u00a0look upon a\u00a0young woman?\u201d (Job 31:1 NKJV)<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Zaccheus<\/strong> \u2013 Another bible character that made a resolution was Zaccheus, a tax collector, and possible extorter. He resolved to give money to the poor and restitute his ways. When Jesus visited him in his house, he did not wait to be told what to do, because he knew the right thing to do. So, he immediately made a resolution to give half of his possessions to the poor, and to refund fourfold to those he had defrauded in the past. Luke 19:1-10<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Esther<\/strong> \u2013 She was an orphan brought up by Mordecai, a relative who adopted her as his own daughter, and she later became queen instead of Vashti. When Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, and the decree was sealed with the king\u2019s signet ring, it became a matter of life and death for Esther. She had to choose between keeping her peace and risking her life for her people. It was a precarious situation because by law, she could only appear before the king, her husband, if he sent for her, otherwise she\u2019ll be killed. Esther chose the latter as she made the resolution to go to the king, damning all consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201c\u2026 And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!\u201d (Esther 4:16)<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ruth<\/strong> \u2013 She was another woman who made a resolution and did not renege on her words. I respect Ruth so much because it would not have been easy to leave her parents, siblings, friends and country and follow her mother-in-law to another country. If her husband was still alive, it would have made sense, but he was dead. Yet Ruth clung to her mother-in-law who had no more sons to give her. She made a life changing resolution to follow her mother-in-law, embrace her people and her God, and die where her mother-in-law dies and be buried there. Ruth 1:15-17<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Kind of New Year\u2019s Resolutions Should a Christian Make?\u00a0<\/h2>\n

If you look closely at the resolutions made by the five bible characters examined above, you will find a common theme. They all made resolutions in righteousness, and they relied on God to help them bring it to pass. Additionally, they were dogged in their resolution and followed through. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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Spiritual Growth:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aim for spiritual growth by setting spiritual goals for the new year.<\/a> Such goals could be spending more time in the place of prayer, study of the word, or meditating on God\u2019s word (Joshua 1:8). It could also be to read more books that would equip you for service to God. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Relationship with Others:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n