Accountabilty

Introduction

Story of being at the dentist with Tinsley

This is a term I hear often. I am not sure if I hear it often enough but I am more concerned that it is understood.

Education is defining terms.

Consistent accountability has been a means of God’s protection in my life. 1 Cor 10:12 “12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

God fearing people know we need one another

Malachi 3:16 “16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: And the Lord hearkened, and heard it, And a book of remembrance was written before him For them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.”

Our role is limited

But we need to remember that our role in helping others fight sin is a human role. We correct and reprove, but we’re not responsible to convict their hearts of everything. That’s the Holy Spirit’s job.

Someone called and asked if I would listen to their confession.

Realize sin brings a lack of clarity and logic

Proverbs 9:7-9 “7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: And he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”

There are all kinds of ways in which sin affects your thinking

Sin in your heart will work to convince your head that you are above correction.

Or above correction from that person.

Or that acknowledging someone’s correction is to make yourself weak.

Sin grows and kills

James 1:15 “15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

John Owen warned, “Do not say, ‘Thus far it shall go and no farther.’ If it have allowance for one step, it will take another.” 

Small sins grow into great sins.

That should sober us, but there’s also encouragement in it.

The best way to confront great sins is to kill them before they’re grown.

Characteristics of Life-Giving Accountability

Accountability takes place inside of friendships

We should express a genuine love for one another because God had transformed our friendship into sisterhood. We were devoted to one another John 15:17 “17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

Accountability requires honesty

Each of us had an opportunity to be honest, which we may not have accomplished had we not established the habit. Ephesians 4:25 “25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”

Accountability requires extending grace

We could display the love and grace that God had already extended through the judgment of Jesus on the cross Romans 14:13 “13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”

Accountability requires humility

There were times we would need to extend forgiveness. Honest friendship sometimes leads to hurting one another. Also as one person might go through a season of struggling with the same temptation we’d learn to bear with our friend Romans 12:16 “16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

Accountability requires carrying a burden

We bore each other’s burdens in prayer Gal 6:2 “2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”