ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability means answering to someone. It is literally giving an account of yourself-where you’ve been, what you’ve been doing, what your motives are. Accountability also suggests that the one who is holding you accountable has the freedom to ask for an account. Most of us don’t like to be fully accountable, because we feel that it puts too many restrictions upon us; it also may force us to open up dark corners of our lives we’d prefer to keep hidden. But real accountability keeps us honest, moral, and on the right path. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s necessary. To be unaccountable means we are free to go where our desires lead: a dangerous game. Bosses usually do a good job of holding their employees accountable, while parents often do a much poorer job of holding their children accountable. In a deeper sense, God holds us accountable. He sees all, knows all; nothing is hidden from him. One day we will have to give an account of all we’ve done at the final judgment.
HOW DO I BECOME MORE ACCOUNTABLE?
Psalm 119:9, 66 . . . How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules . . . now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
Psalm 1:1 . . . Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked.
Proverbs 27:6 . . . Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.
To become more accountable, follow God’s commands as outlined in his Word, the Bible. And choose wise friends to whom you can feel free to give an account of yourself.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY?
Judges 17:6 . . . The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
1 Samuel 13:11-13 . . . Saul replied, “I saw . . . you didn’t arrive when you said you would . . . I felt obliged to offer the burnt offering myself.”
Left unaccountable, we will always lean toward sin, and the consequences of those sins will not only hurt us but many others, including God.
HOW CAN WE CHOOSE PEOPLE TO HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE?
1 Kings 12:8-11 . . . Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him . . . The young men replied, “[Tell them] if you think he was hard on you, just wait and see what I’ll be like!”
Friends are not always the best advisers, especially if their counsel is not consistent with God’s Word.
HOW CAN I EFFECTIVELY HOLD SOMEONE ELSE ACCOUNTABLE?
Exodus 18:21-24 . . . Find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes . . . They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.
Titus 1:6-9 . . . He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered . . . He must live wisely and be fair. He must live a devout and disciplined life.
If we are going to minister to others by holding them accountable, we must be wise, honest, godly, and trustworthy.
IS IT REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OTHERS TO HELP US BE ACCOUNTABLE?
Proverbs 12:15 . . . Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.
Good advisers keep us from actions that can hurt us.
IF YOU’RE GOING TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY SERIOUSLY, YOU CANNOT HIDE ANYTHING FROM THE ONE TO WHOM YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE.
Jeremiah 23:24 . . . “Can anyone hide from me? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” asks the Lord?
What you withhold from another often bursts into full view at a later time. So why not seek advice now? Besides, God knows all the secrets in our heart.
DOES GOD REALLY HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OUR ACTIONS?
Ecclesiastes 11:9 . . . Young man, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.
Enjoy life, but stay within God’s guidelines. God will hold us accountable for everything we do, and who wants to explain ungodliness to a holy God on the day of judgment?
PROMISES FROM GOD:
1 John 2:3 . . . How can we be sure we belong to him? By obeying his commandments.