Saturday, October 19, 2013

All About Accountability

What is accountability?



“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God…” (Romans 14:12)

When you behave in a personally accountable way, you take full responsibility for your own tasks and their outcomes…good or bad…

You are…

~Responsible~

~Obligated~

~Reliable~

~Trustworthy~

~Committed~


Accountability is a lot easier to talk about than it is to practice; people avoid accountability for various reasons, including pride, ignorance, fear, and self-reliance. Think about it…how often do we analyze our mistakes unless we are held accountable for them? It’s much easier to just ignore what we are doing wrong…unless of course there is the possibility of being held liable for it. We all love the freedom that we have been blessed with; however with our wonderful rights come important responsibilities. And as Christians we are accountable to God and others for the path we take in life, and we should accept this responsibility as a gift. Not only does it provide us with a system of checks and balances for our own actions, it also gives us the opportunity to share our lives with others and encourage them.   

“And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

We often have this amazing ability to mess up sometimes; thankfully God has given us His presence to help us, but He has also given us each other.

Accountability allows us to be answerable to one another and enables us to share our lives with each other in a deep, reflective way so that it protects us from isolation, pride, temptation and weakness. True accountability involves letting another person into the interior of our lives, and submitting ourselves in an atmosphere of trust when we are weak and struggling, growing and learning, or need prayer and encouragement. We all have “stuff” in our lives that needs encouragement and conviction, and God brings people onto our lives to walk alongside us, to mentor and guide us. To hold ourselves answerable to others is to trust their judgment and to believe that they are devoted to the same truths and values we are, because we really do need each other more than we like to admit!

“Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Accountability requires mutual respect; and God’s word tells us that we have an obligation to hold each other responsible for our actions. We need relationships with others to maintain our spiritual health and to help them maintain theirs. Holding others accountable is about helping them reach their goals, and building character, patience, and dependence on God’s grace. It is our responsibility to hold others accountable for their actions especially when we observe someone who is acting in a way that doesn't reflect God’s will. It’s important for us to remember that God’s plan is for us to lovingly confront each other with their best interest in mind.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)


Our attitudes toward accountability eventually reflect our attitude toward our accountability to God and others. Therefore we need to hold on to our responsibility to give an answer for what we do, and understand where we need help or where we can help others reach our/their full potential. Then we will become more aware of our life’s purpose that God has unfolded before us…to grow and produce Godly character and fruit in unity with each other.


Beauty in His Grip Button

USE this for BLOG

31 comments:

  1. Great post Denise. Lots of wisdom here. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a blessed weekend.

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    1. Blessings for a weekend full of His amazing grace Beth!

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  2. Hi Denise! My head was bobbing up and down while reading this post. Accountability...especially when it's just me who knows, so often gets ignored. Or "I'll do that later" when the time is now. And I know it.

    This is such a wonderful discussion about a very necessary component of Spiritual life, and life here on earth. It makes us good disciples. Thank you for this powerful reminder.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. I often keep too much to myself too Ceil, and what you said is so true! As always, thanks for your wonderful reply; blessings to you too!

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  3. We do need each other and need to be accountable for the spiritual health of each other, in so far as we can. I try to surround myself with friends that will keep me accountable and vice-versa. The Lord will allow us the strength to take on the necessary responsibility. He gives it to us every day. But, we must reach out, in faith, and take our opportunities to do His work. I loved this post, Denise!

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    1. It is so important to surround ourselves with genuine and loving friends; isn't it? They encourage our faith so that we can inturn, encourage others. Blessings sweet friend!

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  4. Accountability, transparency, honesty...love. They all go hand in hand, don't they? Sometimes we feel vulnerable when we share and ask others to keep us accountable, but as part of the Body of Christ it is our responsibility to lovingly help our brothers and sisters stay on the right path (just as they help us to do the same). Thank you for writing this encouragement! "So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now." 1 Thess. 5:11

    Blessings, Joan

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    1. Oh we do; and it isn't easy to share and tell all at the specific time; but what a blessing our family and friends can be when we need advice and encouragement to keep our paths straight! Blessings Joan; hope you enjoy the remaining weekend!

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  5. Very good words of wisdom you shared Denise. Doing life together requires intimacy and accountability is a part of that. Happy Sunday to you.

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    1. Thanks Wanda; blessings and joy as you start this new week my friend!

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  6. Accountability is so needed, and so important in the Body of Christ. There is always someone who has walked a longer road, gone a little farther than myself, and I need to be able to gleam from their wisdom and life's lessons. Thank you for linking up and sharing at The Weekend Brew!

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    1. So very true Barbie; I have learned and been blessed greatly from the wisdom and strength of others! Enjoy your week!

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  7. Accountability is so important. I go to church each week with a friend and we keep each other accountable. I also have a prayer partner. I blog about health every Wednesday and belong to a private Facebook group of women who are committed to living a healthy lifestyle. All of this helps me.

    And btw, I mentioned you in my blog post today. It is my #1000 blessing and I'm thankful for my blogging friends.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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    1. All of our opportunities to share are wonderful ways to stay accountable Debbie; we are blessed and share our blessings with them too! Congrats on your 1,000 gift!

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  8. What a wonderful post! Accountability is so important to our spiritual health. I can always find someone that has walked this journey longer than me & can impart wisdom, insight & guidance to my life. When we cease being accountable, we cease learning & growing. I am so glad that I stopped here this morning from Unite.
    Have a great Tues.!
    Joanne

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    1. Oh yes; it is important to our health and well-being! :) I am always thankful for the people that He places in my life to support and make me accountable! :)

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  9. So true Denise! The Bible even tells us in Proverbs 12:15 that "The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice". We all need someone to be accountable to, because we all can have a warped sense of self from time to time. Blessings my sweet friend!

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    1. Well said Mitchell; amazingly, we don't always know best... right?? Ha! Thank heavens God supplies the very family and friends we need to keep us accountable!

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  10. I have some girlfriends that help me stay accountable, women's Bible studies help me, too. Thanks for your wise words.

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    1. That's awesome Peggy; they are a blessing! Have a joyful Wednesday!

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  11. Good word Denise. Accountability very important. Blessings.

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    1. Blessings to you too Grace; have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. This is wonderful, Denise! And so true! That has been my prayer, although I think I have been mistakenly asking for friendship... what I am wanting is that type of deep rooted friendship where we hold each other accountable and encourage each other in God's love. You have spoken my heart's prayer this morning. Thanks for sharing!!
    (visiting from Winsome Wednesday)

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    1. Fellowship is all about friendship; our lovely friends in Christ who encourage and inspire...yes! Thanks for visiting!

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  13. My life would be so different without accountability. Great reminder of what it takes to be accountable and why it is so important for all of us. Thanks!

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    1. Amen Holly; thank for stopping by! Have a blessed weekend!

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  14. Hi Denise,

    I've just met you over at Beth's with Three Word Wednesday, and right off the bat your title caught my attention as I was just meditating on this truth, this morning!

    How often I've prayed the "refine me!" prayer... so many times. And I can say He turned up the fire, for certain. No regrets - just so much less of me to burn now (I hope!).

    You've got some beautiful artwork here - I love all the different hearts. Did you create these? Gorgeous :)

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    1. Thanks for visiting Susan; "refine me" as been my "go to" prayer for years! No; someday (as time allows!) I will try and create my own artwork! Blessings!

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  15. Great post Denise....You are so right about accountability.....I have for some time believed that we need someone on both sides of us...a more mature Christian that is mentoring us and a less mature Christian on the other side that we are mentoring....In practicing this, it really helps to keep me balanced....
    Hugs sweet girl....

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    1. Absolutely true Nancy; I am blessed to give a little, but certainly need to receive a little! :) Blessings sweet friend!

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  16. Denise - Of you course you know that I LOVE this post, because it's about UNITY! :) So absolutely true that we cannot create our own path and need others to freely be able to speak into us...encouraging, but also calling out those things in us that need refinement! The older I get, the more I notice just how much I need other people. I wish I would have read this twenty years ago! Blessings dear friend & thanks for UNITING again, Jen

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