No Longer A Slave 05: Accountability
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Intro - We Need Help
We come to lesson #5 of our series titled ‘No Longer A Slave.’ We have talked about how we can slowly become addicted and enslaved to sin and how to begin the process of seeking freedom in Christ. One big theme that has been part of each of the lessons so far is that we cannot get out of slavery on our own. We need, first and foremost, God’s help in overcoming sin, but we also need each other’s help. As we saw in our lesson on confession, James commands the Christians he wrote to to confess their sins to one another in James 5:16. We need to open up with each other. We need to seek help and strength from our fellow soldiers of Christ. This is the case when we are enslaved to sin, but it is also the case that we still need help and encouragement after we have been delivered from slavery. After we have repented and confessed our sins, Satan does not stop working and attacking us. The temptations to return to the sin we were enslaved to do not stop, so we continue to need help. If we do not continue to seek help, the probability of returning to the sin we have been freed from is high.
With this said, for our lesson today, I would like to talk about our need to seek out accountability.
Accountability… What comes to your mind when I use this word? How would you define it? The word is usually used in the context of 12 step groups where people are trying to overcome different types of addictions. The word may also be used in the context of prayer groups where young people mostly get together, sit in a circle, and confess sin and pray for each other… And since accountability is something done within these contexts we assume that it is not for me… It is not something that I need to be doing… It is only for young people going to camp and for addicts… right?
Well, no… Accountability is something that we all desperately need, and if we are sharing our lives with one another as we should as Christians, it will be a regular part of our lives, whether we are enslaved to sin and trying to get out of it or if we are a Christian who is not enslaved and is regularly fighting temptation and striving to live faithfully. Everyone needs accountability…
So what does accountability mean? What does it mean to be held accountable? Here is how I would define this word:
Accountability means “to give an accurate record to others regarding how you are living up to the standard you have been given by God.” In a sense, the process of seeking accountability is meant to be a way to prepare ourselves for standing before God in judgment. We are told in many passages that we will all be giving an account of our actions to God. For instance, in Romans 14:12, Paul says,
“12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12, NASB95).
Jesus also says, “36 “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36–38, NASB95).
God gives his people a standard that they are to strive to live by, and we will all will be held accountable to God for how we live. Knowing this is the case, we are given our brothers and sisters in Christ to help prepare us for the day of judgment. God gives us brothers and sisters to open up to… those who will help us when we are weak. God gives us His people to hold us accountable for growing in the LORD and to help us overcome sin.
Let’s consider some passages that show us our need to help each other...
In Galatians 6, Paul tells those who are spiritual to look out for those who are struggling with sin.
“1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1–2, NASB95).
“22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” (Jude 22–23, NASB95).
“11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing… 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14, NASB95).
And let’s not forget the command that James gives in James chapter 5. “16 confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16, NASB95).
I could keep on going showing passage after passage where Christians are told to help each other spiritually and that we are to help each other overcome sin… The point is, we have a responsibility to one another. We have a responsibility to help each other… to admonish each other, restore each other, and if need be, to help each other through rebuke or discipline…
When the Bible says in Acts two that the early disciples were devoted to [the] fellowship, it means so much more than “they got together for worship.” They were devoted to the relationship that the LORD gave them. They were devoted to watch other and it showed in their actions.
DISCIPLINE
One more passage I would like to consider. It is a passage that is talking about this idea of accountability.
Examples: Work - Performance review… (Luke 16)
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
1 Corinthians 5
TIPS FOR SEEKING HELP
First, seek someone who can actually help
Do not get help from someone who is just as much a mess as you. We see in Galatians 6:1–2 that those caught in sins are restored by those who live by the Spirit. Living by the Spirit doesn’t imply “perfect.” No Christian will meet that ultimate standard until they see Jesus face-to-face. This passage does indicate, however, that you need someone more advanced than yourself in the area of your struggle. Seeking accountability from those who are in the same place in their struggle as you are may make you feel comfortable but is unlikely to lead to actual change.
Find someone who is willing to meet regularly with you, and is willing to take the time to pray for you, call you, answer your calls, and check up on you. Accountability requires a time commitment long term.
And since accountability requires you receive help from one who is spiritual, then it would also require someone who knows the word and can offer helpful admonition from it. You need someone who can remind you of the standard you are to aim for. You need someone who can offer wisdom to help in your circumstances.
Second, if possible, seek help from at least one person who has authority over you
This point applies in instances where you have someone whose duty/service it is to watch over your soul.
Hebrews 13.17, 1 Peter 5:1-4
God gives elders/shepherds to the flock in order to watch over the sheep, to care for them, and feed them.
At least one of the shepherds should know what is going on in your life! Don’t hide your sin from them. In the very least, make sure one of them is kept up to date.
It is interesting that it happens at times is that once shepherds are appointed in congregations, it is like they are viewed as the principal at school… We stop looking at them as men we want help from and start looking at them as those we need to keep things from… If they call us, we think we are in trouble or something…
Third, having multiple counselors brings wisdom
You may be thinking, “How many people should know about my sin? How many people should I seek accountability from?”
From what I have said in my first two points here, you can probably see that my answer is to at least have two people you reach out to — someone who is spiritual and one of your shepherds.
Fourth, don’t just focus on sin
Sure, a big part of accountability is to help you to overcome sin that you are struggling with, but it needs to go beyond this.
Also talk about spiritual things you are doing. Talk about Bible reading/study, service, prayer… These are things that are needed to help in the sin area also.
We need to focus just as much on what we should be doing as the things we should not be doing!
Finally, talk about discipline with those holding you accountable.
If someone desires to hold you accountable, this implies that they love you and will do anything that is necessary in order to help you to draw near to God. This includes helping you when you sin and are not repentant.
Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5
Conclusion — The Ball Is In Your Court
Seek Help Now - Not Later
It is your job to open up and be honest about how you are doing spiritually. The person/people who are helping you should not have to go on a fishing expedition to get the truth out of you. The ball is in your court.
You don’t need to wait for someone to ask you if you need help
https://hisdearlyloveddaughter.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-accountability/
https://leadmin.org/articles/what-about-biblical-accountability
http://executableoutlines.com/olt.htm