Why I Hate New Year’s Resolutions

Mark Roberts

That’s a tough title, isn’t it? Perhaps some will even be surprised by it, since I have preached sermons on resolutions Christians ought to make and encourage my family to make resolutions as well. Do I really hate New Year’s resolutions?

Yes and no. I certainly don’t dislike the idea of selfexamination, self-improvement or resolving to be a better disciple or better person. That seems to be a fine idea, and is in line with various biblical injunctions (see 2 Cor. 13:5). Why then am I “down” on New Year’s resolutions?

First, because resolutions seem to often fall prey to the “diagnosis fallacy.” This is the problem that arises when we confuse identifying our failings with doing something about them. I’m not sure when this fallacy first began to show itself but it seems like it appeared during the self-help rage several years back where the emphasis was on getting people to admit their problems. Made for TV movies about alcoholism would build to the climatic scene where the drunkard so long in denial would finally rise at an AA meeting and announce “My name is Joe, and I’m an alcoholic.” To be sure admitting one has a problem is an essential and important step in defeating sin. I do not mean to denigrate AA or any who has gone through the painful scene I’ve described. However, standing up and saying “I’m an alcoholic” or “I’m lazy” or “I am materialistic” doesn’t fix anything. It only marks the beginning to solving the problem. 2 Kings 23:3 records how Josiah promised God to serve Him fully and obey His law. 2 Kings 23:4ff then records how Josiah ruthlessly purged the land of idolatry. In this case, admission and confession led directly to action!

Yet now we appear to have reached the point where any sin or weakness of character is supposedly dealt with by merely admitting it. That isn’t so! Confession is good, but we must press on from there to good works. Thus I would argue that making a heap of resolutions on New Year’s Day may make some feel temporarily better but such is worthless if we don’t carry out those resolutions.

That idea brings me to the second problem I have with resolutions: because of the way resolutions are treated we can come to conclude that making promises means very little. People make resolutions on January 1 almost as a joke. “I’ll lose some weight and exercise more” or “I’ll read my Bible daily” are quickly and almost thoughtlessly said. There seems to be no meaning behind the words spoken, and less intention of really following through. Everyone is making resolutions so I make resolutions too, but since no one takes them seriously I don’t have to either, right?

For the Christian, the answer is “Wrong!” When a Christian gives his word it has power because it binds him to that course of action. Psalm 15:4 speaks of how the godly person does as he promised even if it is more difficult and costly than he anticipated. Matthew 5:37 tells how a disciple need not “back up” his commitments with all kinds of oaths because his word is his bond, period. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 even warns us not to vow to God and then fail to do as we have promised. God will not overlook such, Solomon cautions. It would be better for us to simply not make resolutions than to make them and pretend that such do not matter. When we make resolutions our integrity and honor and character are on the line. That ought not, I think, be treated in such a trivial way.

I don’t really hate genuine, sincere New Year’s resolutions. When we think carefully about how we can improve our walk with God and then make a determined effort to be a better disciple in 2005 than we were in 2004 that can be nothing but good. But I loathe thoughtless promises that temporarily assuage our conscience.

Are you serious about your resolutions? Looking for a starting point? For this issue of Abundant Life I asked Rusty Miller to update and revise some articles he wrote for a New Year’s issue several years ago. His articles give you a good place to start if you’re serious about your resolutions and your resolve to be a better servant this year. Let’s get to it!