New Year's Resolutions

As the year comes to its inevitable end, many reflect on how they spent their 365 days. Unsatisfied with the results, they grab a fresh piece of paper and write New Year Resolutions filled with unrealistic expectations. Lose 35 pounds by the end of January. Cut off all screen time. Read 16 books within the first week. No more snacks. Wake up at 5 AM every day. These objectives almost never make it past being more than a dream. That is because true satisfaction is found in Christ! Rather than being so hyper fixated on what foods are going into your stomach, put your focus on what truths are going into your spirits.

Each person has their own personal struggle with sin.  We investigated the sins that are not touched on as often as others or are considered too taboo to open up about. These are the sins we should bring more awareness to. If you have your own fight with any of these, try to leave them behind in 2023.

The Lukewarm Mindset

Those with this mindset believe they can live for the world and for God. They find comfort in both sinning and knowing God will forgive them. By taking advantage of the Lord’s love and not choosing to pick up their cross daily, lukewarms are not redeemed in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. You should be feeling convicted when you sin. If you have this mindset, check out our list of things to incorporate in your life so you can align your heart posture with God’s desires.

In 2024, try switching the faucet to only pour holy water into your spirit. Ceasing that switch between worldly and Godly things is extremely hard, and we understand that. We all go through that struggle. So don’t be discouraged when you continuously fall into the traps of the world, because it will happen and will repeatedly happen. We are not perfect. But the important thing is that you recognize the issue and you actively try to change it. God knows your heart. But this year, don’t stay in those habits of the world. Take initiative to change. Ask the Lord for forgiveness, start fresh, and live for our Father, not the betraying world.

The Dangerous Duo

Wonder why you’re eating, sleeping, and health habits are trash? You might be a victim of gluttony and laziness. Typically, where you find one, you find the other. These two sins combined can produce procrastination, whether it be skipping gym days, binge-eating, or avoiding homework/projects. Your goals are harder to reach with these stacking weight on you. This is not to say rest should be avoided. Even God rested after working for six days. Ask God to reveal to you the significance of a healthy balance between hard work and rest.

In 2024, try creating new and healthier habits. If you’re unhappy with your current routine, create small and reasonable goals you can work up to. Setting large and unmeasurable goals may leave you dissatisfied with the results, resulting in no motivation. For example, you can challenge yourself to reading the Bible at least 2-3 times a week, and once you reach that goal, you can level up to 4-5 days. It takes 2 months to create a habit, so be patient with yourself and don’t give up.

Being Under ANY Influence

Throw out the bottles, vapes, and bad influences. Don’t try to convince yourself that being hungover and the anxiety you get from trying to find a high is worth it. Deep down you know it is wrong and you’re opening your spirit to unwanted demons. Along with substances, cut off the people in your life who encourage any sinful activity. They don’t want to see you win. They are suffering and they want you to endure your suffering with them. The phrase misery likes company holds truth to it.

In 2024, try finding friends in Christ and cutting out those leading you to sin. It may be a hard change to drop those friends, but your spirit will thank you. Find people who will push you and encourage you to do the right thing and will call you out when you’re in the wrong. If you find yourself addicted to any type of substance, like drugs or alcohol, don’t stay quiet. Don’t suffer in silence, and don’t find comfort in your wrongs. Take a step in 2024 to seek help and change those bad habits.

The “S” Word

Stop trying to fight sexual sin. You need to flee from it. Whether you are watching explicit content or engaging in sexual immorality, you need to end it. This sin might not seem harmless to your life, but it seeps into your relationship with others and your relationship with God. How many times have you chosen to have private time with yourself than private time with God? How many times have you stalked the adult accounts you see on social media? Find verses that relate to this sin and memorize them. These verses are your weapons when you are being attacked with temptation. Lust is not of God, and you need to replace it with love.

In 2024, use God’s word to cast out the temptations. When the devil comes around and uses your own body against you, use your voice. Your voice is extremely powerful. Use it to tell the devil he is not welcome here, God is with you, and he has no power over you. As we have talked about in a previous post discussing temptations, you have both long range and short range weapons. Use them accordingly.

Idolizing People And/Or Things

God should be the only One that you put on a pedestal. Many place their favorite influencers, items, and even themselves higher than God. These people and companies don’t care for you, at least not in the way God does. Evaluate where you desire to put your time and energy. If God is not where your eyes focus on the most, fix your eyesight.

In 2024, list out your priorities. If God is not number one on that list, make alterations. If you’re staying up all night on TikTok rather than reading your Bible before bed or are opening up Instagram as soon as you wake up instead of thanking the Lord for another day, cut them out of your life! We have recently decided to delete TikTok, as we realized it was taking up too much of our time, and it’s incredibly liberating. Try it!

Secular Anything

If you don’t realize by now that the entertainment and music industry is corrupt, you know it now. Your eyes and your ears are where things go IN your spirit. What goes in must come out, right? When you listen to depressing music, you feel the emotions and tears flow, even if you weren’t sad before. When you watch movies where everyone gets drunk and hits the club, it makes you interested in having a “fun” night that consists of sin. Find alternatives to what you consume!

In 2024, try finding new things that nourish your soul rather than corrupt it. We have created our own playlist that is full of Christian creators you can try listening to instead of secular music. Try finding new hobbies, like gardening or knitting or anything that may interest you that can be beneficial and educational. Watch and listen to things that fill your spirit. If you’d feel embarrassed or ashamed watching or listening to something with your parents… don’t do it at all!