Accountability, it's a word that can make us
uncomfortable. We often want to do things no matter what people say, but here is the hard truth: we shall all be accountable to Lord one day.
2 Corthinans 5:9-10 Word English Bible
Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him. 10 For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Matthew 12:33-37
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 35 The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. 36 I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” - World English Bible
Jesus is speaking here in Matthew Chapter 12 and other scriptures make it clear that God the Father will give judgment to Jesus, meaning He is the One who shall judge us on that Day.
Accountability to another person can help us in many ways:
To remind us that we aren't alone , because we all struggle with something.
Knowing you're going to be accountable to someone gives pause to your actions and decisions.
Accountability can help us start that good habit in our life.
If we seek accountability to stop a bad habit or addiction then both God and our accountability partner can help us in giving advice for ways to replace the old ways.
Breaking the silence to someone you trust can break the chains of fear and shame that the devil wants you to remain in. It can also bring healing.
Your accountability partner can encourage you when you struggle or fail, to keep going and not give up.
When seeking advice from someone, make sure the advice or help they give you doesn't go against God's Word. Always pray and seek God over all.
In January of this year 2023, I started accountability with a friend very simply.
We decided we would check in at 9 pm roughly each night by social media message. Whether you call, text, or meet up is up to you and your accountability partner.
We don't have to say anything except a simple ✅ or ❎.
Don't expect perfection. Just because you decide to be accountable to someone doesn't mean you won't fail. Some days you may miss a Bible reading , maybe slip up and give into that temptation of addiction. Accountability can be for both quitting those things God wants to remove, or add those things He wants you to do. Both ways are steps of obedience.
Don't give up!! I don't care if you're dealing with a year, 5 year, 10 year or 30 plus years habit that you are breaking. These things take time.
You may experience periods of freedom and victory and have a relapse, get back up. God's mercy and grace is new every morning. Repent and seek the Lord for the way of escape that He has promised. Sometimes we may not see it, until we ask. Also pray and ask the Lord what are the roots and triggers that cause you to go back to that habit or addiction. It may feel like two step forward and two steps back. It could be three days of freedom and slip up, or forty days of freedom, and then a period where you struggle to make it five days. Again, don't give up!
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 World English Bible
Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall.
13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Remember that God knows your heart that truly wants to seek to obey Him if that's your heart's desire . I'll repeat it again... don't give up!!! That's the enemy's goal to get you to give up, or think what's the point of trying.
Turn away from the sin quickly and be reminded that Jesus knew everything you would go through before He took a single lash, or nail. His Promises are true for everyone who trusts Him as Lord and Savior :
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2. 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
3. Jude 1:24-25
Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, 25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
4. John 10:27-28
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
5. Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
6. Hebrews 4:12-16
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
14 Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
All scripture is from the World English Bible
All these promises and more are found in God's Word and apply to every one who trusts Jesus as Lord and Savior that loves Him.
Accountability can be scary at first, but has so many benefits. I pray you reach out to someone and start that friendship and process today. You are not alone, someone somewhere has been hurt and dealt with coping in unhealthy ways similar to you. Temptations are not unique to you. Mankind through the generations have dealt with struggles.
Don't give up!
James 5:16 World English Bible
Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
We are in a war, and sometimes we struggle, but remember through Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, we have the ultimate victory over sin , (both the power of and eternal consequences of it), Hell, Satan and His Demons and Death! If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you are still a slave to sin. Turn to the Lord for forgiveness of your rebellion against God and confess Him as Lord of your Life today. You don't have to remain a slave to sin , where the consequences are death ultimately eternally in Hell. Allow Jesus' Lordship in your Life and you shall begin to experience freedom as you start to walk with the Lord getting to know Him as you get in His Word and pray.
Don't give up! We win in the end!
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