Social media is such a dreadful place. We’re only a few days into the New Year, and the resolution-makers are already being shamed by countless memes. Even by fellow Christians, their attempts at habit alteration are very nearly mocked as foolishness.

I have some thoughts about this.

The writer to the Hebrews encouraged, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some…” (Hebrews 10:24). Two things stand out in this short sentence. Its simplest motion is that we’d be one another’s cheerleaders. Quite literally, it calls for us to παροξυσμὸν (intensely encourage) each other toward the victory of Christian goodness. This means that, rather than pot-shotting another person’s efforts toward Christian betterment aimed at Godly living, we should build up and root for each other.

But why do this at all? To steer clear of bad habits that lead away from victory.

Certain habits are called “bad” for a reason. They hurt us in more ways than one. If you are not waging war against these habits, then perhaps you do not fully understand the sin nature. The above text’s immediate aim is precisely, and particularly, a bad habit, namely, falling into the practice of absence from holy worship. If someone’s New Year’s resolution is to reform this bad habit, why would we whip him with discouragement rather than cheer him on?

My advice to the ones who, like me, want to change and do better…

Ignore those who appear to believe their “old self” needs no improvement or that your efforts to change are futile. Those people are shadows. Turn your face to the shadowless sunbeams of God’s grace (James 1:17). By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the Gospel, be strengthened to examine your life. And then, feel free to make your New Year’s resolutions. Continue making the conscious effort to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). This “new self” is the self of faith. Even as it knows it can do nothing to add to salvation, it loves the One who saved it and wants to fight the flesh, seeking faithfulness to Him (Galatians 5:19-26).