Description

King Solomon said in Proverbs 27:17 - “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

Anyone who has ever owned a knife understands this proverb. When iron becomes blunt, another piece of iron is used to sharpen it. That process necessarily in­volves heat, friction, and very close contact. There’s an old say, “You can’t sharpen an ax from a distance.”

The New Testament talks a lot about our need for being accountable to one another. As we live our in close proximity to one another, we share what we are learning and how we are growing. We can confess our sins and weaknesses to one another and have people ask us the hard questions. Consider these verses:

James 5:16 - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Accountability in Christian relationships is important because it removes the element of isolation from each Christian's walk.

I need people in my life who will help me stay on track, believers who will look out my spiritual well-being.  We all need this.

You might be tempted to think, “I don’t need this.  I’m doing fine.  I’m strong enough spiritually.” 

Have you ever seen these Neighborhood Watch signs?  It’s a sign of community.  It says we watch out for one another here.  It’s my job to help you stay safe and your job to help me stay safe. 

Here’s an important question:  Is anybody watching out for your soul?  You may have neighbors who will watch over your home, but is there anybody in your life who helps you stay on track spiritually?  Is there anybody who loves you enough to say, “I’m not going to let you get discouraged.  I’m not going to let you drop out of church.  I’m here for you.  I’m here to support you and encourage you to keep trusting Jesus.”

Are you alone spiritually?  Is there anyone who holds you accountable?  Have you let people in?  Have you give anyone permission to ask you the hard questions?  Do they know the real you?  Are you afraid that if they knew, they wouldn’t accept you?  That fear does not come from God.  It’s Satan’s attempt to keep you from experiencing the power and strength of coming together with other believers.  We journey together.  No one struggles alone.

So, how do we find this much-needed accountability?

• Pray and ask God to lead you to a trust person and ask them to form an accountability relationship?
• Decide on a time, place, and the frequency of meeting. It doesn’t have to be in person. One of my accountability partners and I have agreed to text each other every morning. This agreement has strengthened my relationship with God.
• With your accountability partner, discuss how you both want to grow spiritually?
• Decide on a set of goals to accomplish or questions you will ask
• Commit to praying for one another.

Accountability forces us to be honest and real. It’s in this kind of relationship that we take the mask of and our true self is revealed. It’s here that real spiritual growth moves to the next level.

Today’s Challenge: Determine where you in your life you are struggling and begin to pursue an accountability relationship for the purpose of spiritual growth. This is the missing part of so many Christians’ lives.