Resolved, Not Just Resolutions: Cultivating a Heart-Driven Commitment to Change

As the calendar flips to a new year, many people resolve to make resolutions.

“I’m going to lose weight.”
“I’ll save more money.”
“I’m finally going to get organized.”

Sound familiar?

Yet year after year, the pattern repeats. By February, most resolutions have quietly faded. Studies consistently show that the vast majority of New Year’s resolutions fail within weeks. Why?

Because resolutions are often driven by emotion, pressure, or guilt, rather than deep conviction and spiritual transformation.

That is why I want to challenge you this year to aim higher. Not just resolutions, but resolves.

1. From Resolutions to Resolve: What’s the Difference?

A resolution is often a wish or seasonal commitment. It tends to focus on outward behavior without addressing inward belief.

A resolve, on the other hand, is a settled, prayerful commitment. It is rooted in conviction. It flows from a clear understanding of who God is, who we are, and why we were created.

Jonathan Edwards, one of the most influential pastors and theologians in American history, famously wrote 70 Resolutions before the age of 20. He prefaced them with these words:

“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions…”

That is resolve.
Not superficial self‑help.
Not trendy self‑improvement.
But grace‑dependent, Spirit‑empowered intention.

2. Real Change Requires a Heart Shift

Scripture repeatedly teaches that transformation must begin within.

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
— Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

Many people fail in their goals because they are trying to change from the outside in. They attempt to fix habits without examining the heart. But the Bible is clear: behavior flows from belief, and actions flow from affections.

Your heart includes your thoughts, desires, intentions, fears, and loves. If these are not shaped by God’s truth, even the most sincere resolution will eventually collapse.

The Gospel does not call us to behavior modification.
It calls us to surrender, renewal, and transformation.

3. Surface Goals vs. Soul Goals

One helpful way to evaluate your goals is to ask whether they are merely surface‑level or genuinely heart‑level.

Ask yourself:

• What do I desire that competes with my desire for God?
• Where am I trying to fix an outward problem without addressing an inward issue?
• What idols: approval, control, comfort, success, may be shaping my goals?
• How is the Gospel good news to this area of struggle?

When you ask these questions, goals begin to change.

Instead of saying,
“I want to stop yelling at my kids,”

you begin to say,
“I want to become a parent who responds with patience and grace, because that reflects God’s character and draws my children toward Christ.”

That is the difference between resolution and resolve.

4. Embrace a Gospel Framework for Change

Lasting change is not achieved by sheer willpower. It is sustained by the Gospel.

Here is a simple, biblical framework I often use in counseling and coaching:

• I can’t. (Romans 7:18)
• He can. (2 Peter 1:3)
• He has. (Romans 6:6–7)
• He does. (Galatians 2:20)
• He will. (Philippians 1:6)
• I can—only in Him. (John 15:5)

Resolve becomes powerful not because you are strong, but because God is faithful.

5. Practical Steps to Cultivate Godly Resolve

If you want to grow true resolve this year, begin here:

• Reflect – Spend time in prayer and the Word. Ask God to expose misplaced desires.
• Repent – Turn from false motives, self‑reliance, and shallow ambitions.
• Renew – Meditate on God’s promises and purposes for your life.
• Resolve – Write down specific, grace‑anchored commitments, just as Edwards did.
• Repeat – Revisit and refine your resolves throughout the year.

Resolve is not a one‑time decision. It is a posture of daily dependence.

Call to Action

As this new year unfolds, do not settle for empty resolutions.
Pursue resolve, a Spirit‑empowered, Scripture‑shaped commitment to inside‑out change.

If you have not dnoe so, read the first article in this series: https://jameslongjr.org/resolved-how-to-set-goals-that-actually-matter-in-the-new-year/

Take ten minutes today to journal:

• Where do I need more than a resolution, I need resolve?
• What biblical truths must anchor that commitment?

Coming tomorrow: We will explore how to write SMARTER goals that align with your biblical resolves and help you pursue lasting change with clarity and structure.

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