“Sometimes a little Scripture is all we need to remind ourselves that we are on a path to a life that glorifies God in all of our endeavors.”

It is a New Year, with hardy new resolutions to keep. As Christians, we believe in faithfulness and steadfastness of purpose. Sometimes a little Scripture is all we need to remind ourselves that we are on a path to a life that glorifies God in all of our endeavors. While we don’t propose using isolated Bible quotes out of context to prove arguments, we do believe that selected passages are powerful sources of daily inspiration.

The Psalms, in particular, lead us toward mindfulness in our daily living, as the first and last lines of Psalm 19 demonstrate:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
-Psalm 19:1, 14

Bible passages for New Year’s resolutions
Below we have listed five of the most common resolutions, and for each one we have offered several scripture passages. Print them out, write them on cards, e-mail them to yourself. Keeping a resolution can be difficult, why not let the Bible support and guide you in the journey?

1. Eat less/Eat better

“I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”
-Job 23:12

“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
-Matthew 15:11

2. Spend more time in prayer and reading the Bible

“Teach [my commandments] to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
-Deuteronomy 11:19

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
-Joshua 1:8

“And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”
-Matthew 6:7

3. Speak better (less swearing, less yelling, etc.)

“Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.”
-Psalm 120:2

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
-Proverbs 12:18

“Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.”
-James 3:4-5

4. Live more healthfully

“In vain you rise up early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for [the Lord] grants sleep to those he loves.”
-Psalm 127:2

“All you need to say is simply, ‘Yes’ or ‘No.'”
-Matthew 5:37

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life…Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
-Luke 12:22, 25, 27

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.”
-1 Corinthians 6:19

5. Treat others better (be kinder to spouse, family, co-workers, etc.)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
-Galatians 5:22-24

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
-Philippians 2:3

For a printable version of these passages, click here: Bible Passages for Resolutions

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