Right Decisions For A New Year: Walking in Godly Principles When Temptation Comes
Key
Scripture: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” — Joshua
24:15
INTRODUCTION: A YEAR IS BUILT BY
DECISIONS
A new year is
more than a change on the calendar—it is a fresh opportunity to choose
wisely. While dates change automatically, direction changes
intentionally. Nothing truly changes in life until decisions change.
Life does not
move forward by intentions alone; it moves forward by decisions. Good
intentions without right decisions produce frustration, delay, and repeated
cycles. Many people start a new year with hope, but without discipline,
conviction, or boundaries.
Many people pray
for a better year, but never change their choices. Prayer is powerful, but
prayer without obedience becomes empty words. God responds not only to what we
ask, but to how we choose to live.
“Do not be
deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
— Galatians 6:7
This means:
·
Decisions are seeds
·
Habits determine harvests
·
Today’s choices shape tomorrow’s outcomes
This message is
for youth, teens, adults, and everyone in between. No one is too young
to choose wisely, and no one is too old to change direction. As we step into a
new year, God is calling us to right decisions, especially when
temptation presents itself disguised as something small, harmless, or
understandable.
The question for
this year is not, “What do I want God to do for me?” But rather, “What
kind of decisions will I make before temptation comes?”
1. LIFE IS A SERIES OF DAILY CHOICES
Life is not shaped by
one big decision once a year—it is shaped by many small decisions made every
day. Most people do not fall or succeed suddenly; they arrive there gradually
through repeated choices.
Every single day, we
choose:
- What
we allow into our minds - Every action is first a thought. What you allow
into your mind will eventually shape your behavior. what we watch, read,
scroll through, and meditate on. > “For as he thinks in his heart,
so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7 If you want a changed life in the
new year, you must first guard your thought life.
- What
voices we listen to - Every voice speaking into your life is influencing
your decisions—friends, music, social media, culture, and even inner
thoughts. whose advice we value, whose opinions shape us, whose counsel we
trust > “Bad company corrupts good character.” — 1
Corinthians 15:33
- Wrong
environments make wrong choices feel normal.
- Right
environments make obedience easier.
- What
desires we nurture - what we allow to grow through attention, imagination,
and repetition. What you choose consistently shows what you value deeply.
God looks not only at actions but at the desires driving those actions.
> “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew
6:21
- Who
we walk with - You rarely rise above the spiritual level of those you walk
closely with. The relationships and influences we permit close access to
our lives > “He who walks with the wise grows wise.” — Proverbs
13:20
- Who
we obey - God’s Word, our feelings, culture, pressure, or convenience.
Neutral ground does not exist in spiritual matters. > “No one can
serve two masters.” — Matthew 6:24 Every decision answers one
question: 👉 Who is Lord in this moment—God or self?
“I call heaven and
earth as witnesses today… I have set before you life and death, blessing and
cursing; therefore choose life.” — Deuteronomy 30:19
·
God never removes our power to choose—but He
holds us responsible for how we use it. God never forces obedience. He invites,
instructs, warns—and then allows us to choose. > “So then each of us
shall give an account of himself to God.” — Romans 14:12
These choices may seem
small in the moment, but they are never insignificant. Small choices
repeated consistently become habits, and habits eventually become character.God
never removes our power to choose—but He does hold us accountable for how we
use it. We cannot choose our consequences, but we do choose the decisions that
lead to them. That is why spiritual growth is not about one emotional moment;
it is about daily obedience. Every day we are moving either closer to
God’s will or further from it—there is no neutral ground.
The question is not
whether you are choosing, but what direction your choices are taking you.
2. UNDERSTANDING TEMPTATION CORRECTLY
Many believers
misunderstand temptation. They assume it appears suddenly, randomly, or without
warning. But Scripture teaches that temptation follows a pattern and
targets specific areas of the heart.
Temptation is not
accidental, and it is not forced upon us. It works by appealing to something already
present inside.
“Each one is tempted
when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” — James 1:14
This verse reveals an
important truth: temptation does not begin with the devil—it begins with desire.
Satan does not create desires; he exploits them.
·
He studies what you like
·
He watches what you linger on
·
He targets what you secretly desire
Key
Truth
👉 Temptation only works where desire already exists.
·
Satan cannot tempt what you do not secretly want
·
The enemy studies unmanaged desires and waits
for opportunity
·
Temptation gains strength when desire is
entertained rather than confronted
If there is no desire, temptation has no hook. This is why two people
can face the same situation—one falls, the other stands.
The Real Battlefield Is the Heart
Many people try to fight temptation at the
level of behavior, but by then the battle has already been going on internally
for some time.
·
Long before sin becomes action, it becomes thought
·
Before thought, it becomes desire
·
Before desire is acted upon, it is allowed
“Above all else, guard your heart, for
everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
The heart is the control center of life.
What you repeatedly allow into your heart will eventually influence your
decisions, habits, and direction.
Why Ignored Desires Become Dangerous
Uncontrolled desires do not remain
neutral—they grow. When desires are not surrendered to God, they begin to demand
satisfaction.
·
What you tolerate today will control you
tomorrow
·
What you excuse will eventually enslave you
·
What you hide will gain power over you
This is why temptation often feels
sudden, even though it has been developing quietly for a long time.
Right Understanding Leads to
Right Response
When temptation comes, the goal is
not merely to resist an action, but to examine the desire behind it.
Victory begins when we submit our desires to God before they become demands.
Understanding temptation correctly
helps us stop blaming circumstances, people, or the enemy—and start guarding
our hearts intentionally.
Temptation loses much of its power
when desire is surrendered early.
The question is not only, “What am
I being tempted to do?” But also, “What desire am I allowing to grow
unchecked?”
3. “GOD WILL UNDERSTAND” — THE
MOST DANGEROUS LIE
This is where
many believers fall—not because they hate God, but because they reason
themselves into disobedience. Often, sin is justified with seemingly
harmless rationalizations that appear spiritual or understandable. These are
the lies that make disobedience feel acceptable.
Real-Life Temptation Scenarios
1. The Relationship Compromise
A believer says:
“We love each other. We’re planning to marry
anyway. God will understand.” But God understands love—He never excuses
disobedience. People allow their emotions and desires to justify boundaries
being crossed.
2. The Financial Shortcut
Someone alters numbers, lies on an application, or
cheats at work and says:
“I have bills. I’m under pressure. God knows my
situation.” God knows your situation—but He also knows your integrity.
Integrity is sacrificed for convenience or temporary relief.
3.
The Private Habit
A person repeatedly returns to pornography, lust, or secret
sin:
“At least I’m not hurting anyone. God knows my weakness.”
God knows your weakness—but He also provided a way of escape. Secret
sins like lust, greed, or addiction are minimized and hidden.
4. The Unforgiveness Justification
Someone refuses to forgive:
“You don’t know what they did to me. God
understands why I’m bitter.”
God understands your pain—but He never endorses
bondage. Holding onto resentment is excused as righteous indignation.
Why This Lie Is Dangerous
·
It confuses grace with permission. Grace empowers
obedience; it does not excuse sin.
·
It weakens self-discipline by making
justification easier than repentance.
·
It erodes spiritual sensitivity, making small
compromises seem acceptable.
Biblical Principle
God understands the heart, but He
never endorses rationalized sin. True understanding leads to conviction
and repentance, not excuses.
Reflection
Ask yourself:
·
Am I rationalizing sin because it feels
harmless?
·
Am I confusing God’s grace with permission to
act on desire?
·
Am I allowing my heart to justify what Scripture
calls wrong?
Victory begins when we stop reasoning sin into
acceptability and start submitting desires to God’s Word before temptation
strikes. Grace is not permission to sin—it is power to overcome it. >
“For the grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness.” > — Titus
2:11–12
4. GODLY PRINCIPLES PROTECT YOU
BEFORE TEMPTATION COMES
Temptation often
appears sudden, but victory does not happen by accident. Joseph did not
suddenly become strong in Potiphar’s house—his strength was built before
temptation arrived.
“How then can
I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” — Genesis 39:9
Joseph had
already decided who he was, and who he would not be. His principles were
established long before the test.
“Daniel
purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” — Daniel 1:8
Daniel’s
commitment shows that pre-decisions create power in pressure. He did not
wait to feel tempted before deciding; he chose God’s way in advance.
Principles Are:
·
Decisions made ahead of pressure —
defining what you will and will not do before being tempted > “I have made
a covenant with my eyes.” — Job 31:1
·
Boundaries set before emotions rise —
limits guard your heart and prevent compromise > “Do not arouse or awaken
love until it so desires.” — Song of Solomon 2:7
·
Convictions formed before temptation speaks
— internal standards become your compass in difficult situations
Godly principles:
a) Tell you Where to stop, When to walk away, and Protect you when feelings lie
b) They Clarify Identity Before
Temptation Speaks > Joseph said, “How can I sin against God?” -
Not, “What if I get caught?”
c) They shape your identity: “I
don’t do that”; “That’s not who I am”; “I belong to God.” > “You are not
your own, for you were bought at a price.”— 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
d) They Silence the Devil’s Arguments.
Temptation often speaks in questions:
- “Did God really say?”
- “Is it that serious?”
- “where is it written sex is sin?”
- “Who will know?” But principles speak in statements, not debates. Jesus defeated temptation with settled truth, not emotional reasoning. > “It is written…” — Matthew 4:4
5. HOW TO BUILD GODLY PRINCIPLES
THAT LAST
Godly principles
are not formed in a moment—they are built intentionally over time. Just
as a strong building requires a firm foundation and careful construction,
spiritual principles require consistent attention, practice, and reinforcement.
If principles are
what protect us before temptation comes, then learning how to build them is essential
for starting the new year well.
“Therefore
everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise
man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24
Steps to Build Godly Principles
- Define Core Values
o
Decide what you will never compromise on
(honesty, purity, integrity, obedience)
o
Write them down to make them tangible and
visible
- Anchor Principles in
Scripture, not feelings
o
Every principle should align with God’s Word
o
Memorize key verses that will guide your
decisions
o
When the Word is your foundation, feelings do
not become your compass. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my
path.” — Psalm 119:105
Real-life scenario: You may feel something is right because your friends approve—but Scripture may
say otherwise.
- Create Boundaries
and Limits
o
Identify situations, people, or habits that
trigger temptation
o
Set practical, enforceable limits to protect
your heart and mind
- Discipline Daily
Habits That Shape Character
o
Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible
study, worship, and accountability reinforce principles. “Train yourself to
be godly.” — 1 Timothy 4:7
o
Habits strengthen character and prepare you for
pressure
o
Principles are strengthened by daily practice.
- Practice Small
Decisions Daily
o
Principles grow when consistently applied in
small, everyday choices
o
Each correct choice reinforces your spiritual
foundation
- Evaluate and
Adjust Regularly
o
Periodically review your principles and
boundaries
o
Adjust as needed without compromising God’s Word
- Surround Yourself
with Accountability, Not Isolation
o
Friends, mentors, or spiritual leaders help
reinforce principles and provide correction when needed
o
Community supports perseverance and growth
o
Isolation is one of the enemy’s greatest
strategies.
o
Godly principles grow stronger when they are
shared and protected.
- Choose
Environments That Support Your Convictions
o
You cannot build godly principles in ungodly environments
without resistance. “Come out from among them and be separate.” — 2
Corinthians 6:17
o
This does not mean isolation—but discernment. Ask
yourself: Does this place strengthen my faith or weaken it?; Do these
friendships push me toward God or away from Him?
o
Environment shapes behavior faster than
intention.
- Depend on the Holy
Spirit, Not Willpower
o
Willpower fades. Grace sustains. “Walk by the
Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” — Galatians
5:16
o
Victory is not about being strong—it is about
being submitted and surrendered to the Holy Spirit
Key Truth
Building godly principles is a process, not
a single event. The choices you make today, and the disciplines you
establish now, will determine your strength to resist temptation tomorrow. A
life rooted in principle is a life protected when trials and temptations
arrive.
CONCLUSION: CHOOSE GOD — DAILY
·
The new year does not need to be perfect to be
powerful.
·
You may face temptation—but you are not
powerless.
·
You may stumble—but you are not defeated.
“The steps of a good man
are ordered by the LORD.” — Psalm 37:23
Final
Charge
·
Make decisions before temptation comes
·
Build principles, not just resolutions
·
Choose God consistently, not conveniently
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of
wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, as we step into this new year,
give us wisdom to choose rightly. Guard our hearts, purify our desires, and
strengthen our convictions. When temptation comes, remind us who we are and
whose we are. We commit this year to You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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