Surveys show that 38% of Americans make one or more New Year’s resolutions. Yet only 9% actually fulfill their resolutions during the year. And 43% give up on their resolutions within the first month.
Here are the most common resolutions for 2023 according to Forbes Health (see here): improvement of mental health (45%), improved fitness (39%), lose weight (37%), and improve diet (33%). Other popular resolutions include drinking less alcohol, improving finances, stopping smoking, learning a new skill, and meditating regularly.
Are resolutions commanded or forbidden in Scripture?
The Bible does not command us to make any resolutions at the start of the new year. However, the concept of resolutions is present, even though not connected with the new year.
The word resolve occurs four times in the Bible. Three of them refer to decisions made about a particular situation (Judg 5:15; 2 Chron 30:5; Luke 16:4). One refers to a broad resolution not to put a stumbling block in our brother’s way (Rom 14:13).
Planning is a synonym for resolving. It occurs forty-one times in Scripture. Paul had planned to visit the believers in Rome (Rom 1:13) and in Corinth (2 Cor 1:15-17). Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” Wise counsel should influence our plans (Prov 20:18).
The concept of vows occurs seventy-six times in the Bible, all but two of those in the OT. There are also two references to vows in the Book of Acts (Acts 18:18; 21:23). Vows were promises the Jewish people made to God. They were not to be made rashly (Prov 20:25; Eccles 5:4, 5).
Since we do not find vows in the Gospels or epistles, it seems that God does not ask believers to make vows today. In fact, James said, “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment.”
Of course, a resolution is not a vow. It is something we plan to do.
I do not make New Year’s resolutions. But I do make plans. I report my ministry plans for one, five, and ten years to the GES board. For example, I plan for GES to release a one-volume commentary on the OT in December 2026. I plan to offer all twenty-two courses for our online seminary by the 2025-2026 school year. (Starting in January 2024 [Greek 102] and February 2024 [other first-year classes], we will be offering the second-semester classes for first-year students. Then in the fall of 2024, we plan to offer both first-year and second-year classes.)
On a personal level, I plan to complete one marathon each year until my body won’t let me do that anymore. I’ve already registered for the Irving Marathon on Saturday, March 30, 2024. I realize I may lose the registration fee since there is no guarantee I’ll be able to make it to the start line. Injuries and illnesses happen, especially for Geezers. But making plans motivates me to keep working toward them.
My suggestion is that you resolve to do what is pleasing to God. That is your daily resolution. During the course of each year, when you realize that there is an area of your life that should be brought into subjection to Christ, make plans right then. But keep the plans flexible. Unless Scripture mandates a certain practice, do not make personal laws. Dr. Art Farstad told me about a young man in his church who had resolved to read ten chapters of Scripture each day. It consumed him. He did not pay attention to Art’s sermons because he struggled to read his ten chapters.
Planning to read the Bible in a year is a good thing. But it is not commanded in Scripture. If you choose to do it, do not vow to read two chapters each and every day. That is your plan. But plans are subject to interruptions. If you miss a day or two (or a week or two), you can catch up quickly or skip the chapters you missed and get back on track. I’ve made both decisions many times in my personal Bible reading.
My recommended New Year’s resolution is this: I resolve to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ because I love Him and long for His praise and approval (Luke 19:17; 1 Cor 9:27; 2 Tim 4:6-8; 1 John 4:19).
