makeupgirl
Well-Known Member
I just wanted to share this with everyone about our accountability when it comes to being responsible for our actions and choices that we make as we continue our journey as we walk with the Lord. Lets continue to lift each other in prayer. 
Good lesson from Charles Stanley
The Call to Accountability
The Call to Accountability
Our protection and motivation for godliness
By Charles F. Stanley
Accountability is not ordinarily a subject people like to discuss. We value our independence and the freedom to do whatever we want in our own way and time. After all, who of us would like others prying into our private lives and making us feel guilty?
But taking responsibility for our actions is the only way to preserve our freedom. A faulty understanding of liberty leads to the loss of rights and eventually results in slavery of one type or another.
That’s what the apostle Paul was trying to warn believers about in Galatians 5: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (v. 1). Christians have been released from the power of sin. Therefore, they can choose to obey the Spirit’s promptings instead of being enslaved to the sinful patterns of their old nature. Tolerating sin in our lives is a misuse of our rights, as verse 13 cautions: “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Liberty in Christ is a great privilege. But it carries responsibility, since our actions, words, and attitudes have a profound effect—for either good or harm—on both ourselves and others. Accountability is a protection that accompanies this responsibility and motivates us to live a life worthy of our calling. It is a gift the Lord gave to guard us from the painful consequences of ungodly choices.
Ancient in Origin
The principle of accountability has been in effect since the beginning. In the garden of Eden, God gave the first man and woman three simple instructions—to cultivate the garden, keep it, and avoid eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:15-17). After choosing to partake of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve were afraid. They hid from the Lord (Gen. 3:10) to avoid having to explain their disobedience. Even when confronted by God, Adam tried to sidestep responsibility by blaming Eve, who in turn accused the serpent.
Mankind has been repeating this same pattern throughout history. We resist answering for our actions because we don’t want to face the humiliation of being wrong. Pride motivates us to try to hide our failure from others and from the Lord, while fear of unpleasant consequences leads us to cover up and blame others.
The first king of Israel, for example, attempted to absolve himself from the guilt of disobedience (1 Sam. 15). When the prophet Samuel confronted him about his failure to follow God’s instructions, Saul lied, saying, “I have carried out the command of the Lord” (v. 13). When Samuel exposed the obvious inconsistency, Saul offered excuses. By refusing to repent and make himself accountable to God’s prophet, he lost his throne and the kingdom (v. 26).
Designed for Our Protection
We oftentimes lose by refusing to heed people’s warnings—and we always lose if we ignore God’s. A friend of mine was an excellent pastor with a solid foundation in sound theology. However, someone convinced him that freedom in Christ meant being able to do almost anything he wanted. I warned him repeatedly that if he kept going on that downward course, he would slip and fall right out of the pastorate. But he would not listen and, as a result, lost his ministry.
Anyone who refuses accountability is walking on dangerous ground. The Devil works day and night to devour Christians by ruining their lives and testimonies. Temptations lurk everywhere, promising pleasure but ultimately leading to misery and regret. King David discovered this painful truth. He sinned with Bathsheba after withdrawing from his responsibilities and isolating himself from associates who might have helped him stay on track (2 Sam. 11). Even though he repented as a result of Nathan’s rebuke, the consequences followed him for the remainder of his life (2 Sam. 12:1-14).
In order to avoid the Enemy’s deceptions, we must seek out relationships in which we are answerable to one another. Doing so requires a commitment to take responsibility for our actions and a willingness to be open, honest, and vulnerable in sharing our lives with other believers. Since this includes admitting wrong and making the necessary corrections, humility is crucial.
Although Christian accountability at times involves confronting sin, its primary purpose is to encourage and strengthen one another in the Christian walk. Knowing that someone cares and takes the time to pray about our struggles can motivate us to persevere.
When my grandson went to college, he enrolled in the Army ROTC. But before he could be accepted into the program, he had to pass a very strenuous physical test. I phoned to let him know that I would be praying for him during that challenge. Later on, after it was over, he called with an update: he reported that the very thought of me praying on his behalf had given him a burst of energy, which enabled him to do better than he expected. Just knowing that I loved him and was speaking his name to the Father inspired him to do his best.
We all need this kind of encouragement, which comes from people’s loving involvement in our lives. In fact, every believer would benefit from having a small group of friends who commit to an open and honest accountability relationship. But carefully consider whom to include in your inner circle. Confidentiality is essential, so never choose a gossip, or you will find that your intimate secrets have been spread far and wide. And to avoid any temptation, men should meet with men, and women with women.
I have made myself accountable to a group of several friends and staff members. They have my permission to point out any action or attitude in me that is inconsistent with God’s Word, and I reserve the right to do the same for them. They will also come and tell me if they discern anything that could put me in jeopardy. These men are like a hedge of protection around me, and I am so grateful for them.
Good lesson from Charles Stanley
The Call to Accountability
The Call to Accountability
Our protection and motivation for godliness
By Charles F. Stanley
Accountability is not ordinarily a subject people like to discuss. We value our independence and the freedom to do whatever we want in our own way and time. After all, who of us would like others prying into our private lives and making us feel guilty?
But taking responsibility for our actions is the only way to preserve our freedom. A faulty understanding of liberty leads to the loss of rights and eventually results in slavery of one type or another.
That’s what the apostle Paul was trying to warn believers about in Galatians 5: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (v. 1). Christians have been released from the power of sin. Therefore, they can choose to obey the Spirit’s promptings instead of being enslaved to the sinful patterns of their old nature. Tolerating sin in our lives is a misuse of our rights, as verse 13 cautions: “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Liberty in Christ is a great privilege. But it carries responsibility, since our actions, words, and attitudes have a profound effect—for either good or harm—on both ourselves and others. Accountability is a protection that accompanies this responsibility and motivates us to live a life worthy of our calling. It is a gift the Lord gave to guard us from the painful consequences of ungodly choices.
Ancient in Origin
The principle of accountability has been in effect since the beginning. In the garden of Eden, God gave the first man and woman three simple instructions—to cultivate the garden, keep it, and avoid eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:15-17). After choosing to partake of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve were afraid. They hid from the Lord (Gen. 3:10) to avoid having to explain their disobedience. Even when confronted by God, Adam tried to sidestep responsibility by blaming Eve, who in turn accused the serpent.
Mankind has been repeating this same pattern throughout history. We resist answering for our actions because we don’t want to face the humiliation of being wrong. Pride motivates us to try to hide our failure from others and from the Lord, while fear of unpleasant consequences leads us to cover up and blame others.
The first king of Israel, for example, attempted to absolve himself from the guilt of disobedience (1 Sam. 15). When the prophet Samuel confronted him about his failure to follow God’s instructions, Saul lied, saying, “I have carried out the command of the Lord” (v. 13). When Samuel exposed the obvious inconsistency, Saul offered excuses. By refusing to repent and make himself accountable to God’s prophet, he lost his throne and the kingdom (v. 26).
Designed for Our Protection
We oftentimes lose by refusing to heed people’s warnings—and we always lose if we ignore God’s. A friend of mine was an excellent pastor with a solid foundation in sound theology. However, someone convinced him that freedom in Christ meant being able to do almost anything he wanted. I warned him repeatedly that if he kept going on that downward course, he would slip and fall right out of the pastorate. But he would not listen and, as a result, lost his ministry.
Anyone who refuses accountability is walking on dangerous ground. The Devil works day and night to devour Christians by ruining their lives and testimonies. Temptations lurk everywhere, promising pleasure but ultimately leading to misery and regret. King David discovered this painful truth. He sinned with Bathsheba after withdrawing from his responsibilities and isolating himself from associates who might have helped him stay on track (2 Sam. 11). Even though he repented as a result of Nathan’s rebuke, the consequences followed him for the remainder of his life (2 Sam. 12:1-14).
In order to avoid the Enemy’s deceptions, we must seek out relationships in which we are answerable to one another. Doing so requires a commitment to take responsibility for our actions and a willingness to be open, honest, and vulnerable in sharing our lives with other believers. Since this includes admitting wrong and making the necessary corrections, humility is crucial.
Although Christian accountability at times involves confronting sin, its primary purpose is to encourage and strengthen one another in the Christian walk. Knowing that someone cares and takes the time to pray about our struggles can motivate us to persevere.
When my grandson went to college, he enrolled in the Army ROTC. But before he could be accepted into the program, he had to pass a very strenuous physical test. I phoned to let him know that I would be praying for him during that challenge. Later on, after it was over, he called with an update: he reported that the very thought of me praying on his behalf had given him a burst of energy, which enabled him to do better than he expected. Just knowing that I loved him and was speaking his name to the Father inspired him to do his best.
We all need this kind of encouragement, which comes from people’s loving involvement in our lives. In fact, every believer would benefit from having a small group of friends who commit to an open and honest accountability relationship. But carefully consider whom to include in your inner circle. Confidentiality is essential, so never choose a gossip, or you will find that your intimate secrets have been spread far and wide. And to avoid any temptation, men should meet with men, and women with women.
I have made myself accountable to a group of several friends and staff members. They have my permission to point out any action or attitude in me that is inconsistent with God’s Word, and I reserve the right to do the same for them. They will also come and tell me if they discern anything that could put me in jeopardy. These men are like a hedge of protection around me, and I am so grateful for them.
