Who Holds You Accountable?

Accountability is the act of being responsible for one’s actions.  We are all held accountable in one way or another in various aspects of our lives. 

Personal Accountability

The Bible says that God holds us all accountable.  “So then each of us shall give account to himself to God.”  (Romans 14:12).  This type of accountability is our personal accountability with God.

Accountability Friend(s)

While this personal accountability to God is a given, we should also have an ‘accountability friend’, a fellow Christian who can help hold us accountable.  There must be trust with this person.  Accountability involves a willingness to open up and share sensitive or personal information.  If you have trust, you are more able to share your innermost self without concern of betrayal from that person.  This person should be allowed to confront you (gently and respectfully) when you are doing something that is not in accordance with God’s Will.  You should be allowed to do the same for them.  This person could be your spouse, a family member, or a good friend.  This could be one person or many people whom you trust.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)

What’s Accountability For?

Accountability enables us to understand where we need help in areas where we are struggling.  It enables us to share how and where we are growing in our walk with the Lord.  It enables us to encourage one another.  Accountability helps us stay on track, receive prayer, and receive comfort and support when we fail.  And we will fail.  Accountability helps us to pick ourselves back up when we fail, repent, brush ourselves off, and try again.  Accountability is not just for those who are weak.  It is for the strong who want to become stronger.

Accountability is not about confrontation.  However, at times, we may need to be confronted or have to confront one another.  Whenever we do have to confront one another, do so kindly, gently and respectfully.  Accountability is about challenging one another to grow in Christ. 

Temptation

We all need accountability.  We WILL be tempted.  The world is full of temptations.  Satan seeks to steal from us all that which God has given.  Satan’s desire is to steal, kill and destroy everything good in your life.  (1 Peter 5:8 NLT:  “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”)  If we run to Satan and his ways, God is far off from us.  However, if we submit to God, then the devil flees from us.  (James 4:7 NLT:  “So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.)  Unless we have a system to protect ourselves, we will fall to that temptation.

Are You Accountable?

Are you accountable?  Do you have an ‘accountability friend’ that will hold you accountable?  Will you be there for them when they need to be held accountable?

My prayer is for us all to find ways to keep ourselves accountable, whether through personal accountability or also with accountability friends.  We should be intentional and deliberate in becoming accountable not only to God but to others.