Why I Don’t Choose A Word Of The Year (and What To Know If You Do)

Right about now everyone starts sharing their word of the year. And if you’ve been around here long enough, you already know I don’t do that.

I’ve never intentionally chosen a word of the year. The one time I did was during a Bible journaling class years ago. The instructor had us pick a word on the spot. I honestly can’t even remember what mine was. And that actually makes perfect sense, because when you randomly choose a word in a one-hour class, how much prayer or reflection can really go into it?

Now, before anyone gets offended let me say this clearly: I’m not saying you can’t choose a word of the year. If you already have one and it’s meaningful to you, keep it. This isn’t meant to shame or scold. It is, however, meant to help us slow down and think biblically about the secular practices we participate in.

What gives me pause is how popular this practice has become, especially among what I’ll gently call fluffy Christian women influencer culture. Sometimes it feels less like spiritual formation and more like self-improvement. When we add “just pray about it first” and a Bible verse, it can unintentionally turn a secular practice into something that feels spiritual. That may sound judgy, and I know motivations differ—but when something becomes trendy, it’s worth examining more carefully.

The biggest concern I have isn’t the word itself. It’s what we believe the word is doing.

If you Google “how to choose a word of the year,” you’ll find plenty of advice that sounds like this: reflect on your feelings, think about your goals and vision for the future, look through a thesaurus, and pick a word that resonates. Words like “gratitude”, “courage”, “rest, and “abundance” tend to top the list.

One popular site describes a word of the year as a “guiding word”—a compass for your decisions, a theme that blankets the year, a lens through which you view opportunities and challenges. It’s packaged as more intuitive than goal setting and less overwhelming than writing a list of resolutions. And I get the appeal. One word is simpler than five goals.

But here’s where I start to feel uneasy: that language gives a lot of power to a word.

When I looked at Christian blogs discussing the word of the year, the language often sounded very similar, just with God-language added. One blogger said choosing a word was one of the most powerful spiritual practices in her faith journey. Another described her word as something that “blankets the year” or even “chooses her.” Some talk about letting the word guide them, shape them, or reveal what God is doing next.

And listen—I believe God speaks through His Word. I believe He convicts, teaches, and shapes us by the Holy Spirit. I even believe He can use our planning processes to draw us closer to Him. But Scripture never instructs us to select a personal theme word and let it steer our spiritual life for 365 days.

That doesn’t make the practice sinful.

It simply means it isn’t biblical in the sense that it’s prescribed or modeled in Scripture. And when something isn’t grounded there, it often proves less fruitful. Without discernment, it can even drift toward the same mindset found in the secular world—declaring intentions, manifesting outcomes, or placing hope in a concept rather than in the Lord.

That’s why I personally choose not to do a word of the year. I’ve seen it get out of hand. I’ve seen women give a word far more authority than it deserves. A word has no power in and of itself. It’s not magic. It’s not a promise. It’s just a word.

But (and this matters) not everything the secular world does is automatically evil. The real issue is whether our practices are shaped by Scripture, or whether cultural habits are so enticing that we justify adopting them by simply adding a prayer and a Bible verse. So if you do love choosing a word of the year, here are a few things I’d encourage you to keep in mind.

If You Choose a Word, Do This

Start in where God is already dealing with you through your daily prayer time and Bible reading.

Make sure you’re actually in the Word daily. As you read and pray, the Holy Spirit will convict and instruct you through Scripture. If a theme emerges: patience, humility, wisdom, faithfulness—pay attention to that. Don’t go hunting for a word; let Scripture do the shaping.

For example, this year I’ve felt the Lord dealing with me in how I handle relationships. My prayer has been straight from Psalm 86: “Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart.” If I were going to choose anything, it wouldn’t be a single word. It would be the phrase “Teach me, Lord.” Because that’s what God is already addressing.

Choosing a word or phrase based on what God is already teaching you keeps the focus on Him, not on self-improvement.

If You Choose a Word, Don’t Do this

Don’t give the word power.

There is no power in your word of the year. It doesn’t guide you. It doesn’t direct your steps. God does that through His Word. A word of the year isn’t your authority.

When we treat a word as something mystical or magical, we’re drifting into the same territory as New Age practices. Christians don’t declare reality into existence—we submit to the Lord who gave us His living and active word. 

If You Choose a Word, Do This

Be specific with your goals that align to the word. 

If your word or phrase is something like, “Teach me”, then your goals will reflect it.

* Teach me to be patient with others.

* Teach me when to speak and when to stay silent.

* Teach me to respond with wisdom.

Then write out how you’ll seek the Lord in those areas. 

If You Choose a Word, Don’t Do This

Don’t replace inductive Bible study practices with topical studies.

Your word does not determine how you read Scripture. Proper Bible study still matters—context matters, interpretation matters, and the whole counsel of God matters. Your word doesn’t get to hijack the text.

So here’s the heart of it: I don’t choose a word of the year because I’ve seen how easily it becomes self-centered and over-spiritualized. I’d rather let the Bible shape my focus than try to filter Scripture through my own desires.

If you work from the Word outward, instead of working from your desires into the Word, you’ll be more fruitful. And isn’t that the entire point? God doesn’t work through a word. He works through His word. So remember that and let that be a focus worth carrying into any year.

Resources

References: Christian Today (Barna Stats)

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