This time of the year, many people are already making their New Year resolutions so as to provide them with a fresh start. This practice dates back to over 3,000 years among ancient Babylonians.

When the New Year arrives, there’s just something which provides us with a new beginning. There’s nothing miraculous or mystical that happens at midnight on 31 December. The Bible itself does not speak against or for the concept of making resolutions, but when a religious person is determined in making one, what kind of resolutions are appropriate?

The usual and most common ones are commitments to stop smoking and drinking, spend more quality time with family and manage money more prudently. Many people also resolve to lose weight through exercise and healthy eating habits.

1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective. It cites, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Many of us are making New Year resolutions to read the Bible every day and pray more. Some of us need to regularly attend church. According to Boniface Hirwa a Christian living in Kimihurura, the above are ideal goals because it brings us closer to God.

However, just as happens to non-spiritual goals he observes that "we normally fail to achieve these resolutions because we don’t put much emphasis as the year progresses. Somewhere, along the line, we lose the script and relapse to our old ways.”

He advises people to put enough power when executing their New Year resolutions because Satan is also watching and the devil is able to come with seven more of its kinds when you backslide after making your resolutions.

Resolving to begin a fresh activity will have no value when you lack proper motivation for stopping or beginning a new activity. You should ask yourself why you need to read the Bible each day. When you resolve to lose weight, for example, is it for just vanity or you need to honor your God?

Philippians 4:13 say, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength,” while John 15:5 declare, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and me in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

The above verses show that when our God is guiding us to make New Year resolution, then chances of success are quite high. "When it’s the will of God that something be fulfilled, then He is going to make us fulfill it when we’re determined enough. But when our resolve is not to honor our God, or is not agreeing with the Word of God, then we are not bound to receive His blessings in helping us fulfill it,” says Hirwa.

There are a several New Year resolutions you can make as a man of God. In James 1:5, you should pray for the Lord to give you wisdom, just like Solomon did. And then you can depend on God to help and guide you throughout the year. You should also not feel helpless when you fail, but these should help to further motivate you.

Vanity and pride are contrary to God’s teachings; therefore you should resolve not to be vainglorious. According to Psalm 37:5-6, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Yes, we can make our New Year resolutions but serving God should be on our minds.