(A chapter excerpt from my new book, “The Vision Intercessor Handbook”)
If there is ever a topic that will cause major anxiety it is ACCOUNTABILITY. Whether it is at work as employees, within the church as fellow believers, at school as students, as friends or at home as spouses, parents or children, accountability is something no one is really that thrilled about having in their life. In general, the expectation to live responsible and accountable can sometimes overwhelm us in particular, when we have doubts about our ability to do it well. As believers, we are well aware of our call to love, to live holy, to walk righteous, and to live by faith and for many believers, this responsibility seems almost impossible to do with a measure of perfection. As a result, our accountability to the Call of Salvation have become a topic of contention among believers and unbelievers alike, prompting claims of hypocrisy plaguing the Christian nation; condemning them for disgraceful acts, fights, crimes, and immorality. It appears now the greater crime is that these offenses are no longer being called into question, discipline or reproof as the word of God suggest.
It seems the concept “sinner saved by grace” has become nothing more than a license for the believer to concede to their propensity to sin, while forgetting that Apostle Paul made it very clear, “BY NO MEANS” (Rom. 6:15) was grace to be taken for granted. So, what are we to do?
The definition of Accountability is; the quality or state of being accountable; an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.
A common misconception about this term that is even implied by its definition is that, accountability is simply being responsible to an expectation. While this definition may be true, I believe there is another perspective about accountability that is worth examining. Accountability is also about preparation or positioning oneself to be responsible. Accountability is about WHAT one does to ensure their ability to be responsible. Accountability is NOT about being perfect or righteous which is where most of our anxiety comes from. Spiritual accountability is about a heart that desires to be responsible to God and being submitted to Him while utilizing the standards of His word to employ those efforts.
Most people who kick themselves for being spiritually weak or irresponsible in a particular area of life may find that their greatest down fall had more to do with a lack of respect and understanding of the power of preparation in a specific area where accountability is needed. The beautiful thing about accountability is that even when we make a mistake, the call to accountability will also provide a responsible approach to achieving reconciliation. You see, there is NO FAILURE with ACCOUNTABILITY! This is the beautiful nature of the “Ministry of Accountability” and within this ministry is the transforming work of God.
The following scriptures should be reviewed as a study. Read each passage in four different translations (NKJ/NLT/HCSB/ MESSAGE). It is designed to help you look at the believer’s call to accountability with new lenses that will impart hope, passion, and faith to live according to God’s plan for your life with a new found wisdom, commitment and power.
When a person doesn’t have anyone in their life to hold them accountable, that person will live a life that is SELF CONSUMED. Let’s look at Proverbs 27:1-7
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. 4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? 5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. 7 One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
It appears that those who live without accountability will seek to obtain self-confidence through their own efforts; a confidence that would otherwise come from their relationship with God and loving relationships. When we are in relationships, we are compelled and sometimes forced to love them, communicate, interact, respond, make commitments, follow through… in other words, “BE ACCOUNTABLE” to the dynamics of those relationships. When we don’t have genuine loving relationships there is no accountability. The key word here is “genuine” which implies “from the heart.” When our lives are full and rich in healthy relationships with God and others, we are not easily offended and able to walk with an inner peace and confidence even in the midst of adversity. Verse 17 says “Iron sharpens iron.” This implies that our relationship with God and with others will encourage, inspire, correct and perfect our lives as we strive to live out the two greatest commandments which are, loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matt.22:36-40). The Ministry of Accountability is really all about the “practice” of walking “FULLY EQUIPPED,” Spiritually! The believer is very fortunate in this regard as they are not left to accomplish this in their own strength. They have been instructed to respond to every situation in life according to the standards of God. Having a genuine growing relationship with God will make this easier to achieve.
In 1Corn. 13:4-8 we read about LOVE. However, it seems the depth of love commanded from this passage have fallen on “fainted hearts” meaning, while the illustration is passionate and heartwarming, it has somehow become more of a tall list of expectations that are used mainly for inspiration and not something to be attained. So, how do we REALLY live out love? I believe it is through Accountability. Through the Ministry of Accountability, we learn how to have “GODLY RELATIONSHIPS” both with God and man. While 1Corn.13 may tell us what love is, what we learn through the Ministry of Accountability is HOW love is actually manifested through our lives, for example:
- Galatians 6:1-2 – What to do if someone you know sins or makes a mistake
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
- Matthew 18:15-17 – What to do if someone offends you
“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. 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. 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.
- James 5:16 – What to do when you sin or make a mistake
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Why there is a need to have at least ONE accountability partner
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep
warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
- James 5:19-20 – How we respond to the backslider
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
- Ephesians 4:25 – Honoring the power of our words
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
- Hebrews 10:25 -The value of meeting regularly with likeminded believers
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
- Galatians 6:2 -The value of supporting one another in hard times
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
- Colossians 3:16 – How we should teach and encourage one another in the word
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
- Ephesians 4:32 – How we should treat one another
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
And the list goes on. What I found most interesting from these passages is that it implies that living without accountability will make us self-centered and vulnerable to the deceitful nature of sin. Accountability advises believers to exhort (encourage) one another DAILY. This is something that will clearly be a step of faith because it seems that it is more natural to be critical, judgmental and jealous of others than to be loving, encouraging and hopeful. This negative ungodly fruit is in essence the deceitfulness of sin. Therefore, honoring the Ministry of Accountability apparently guards us against it. You see, the word of God is our first and primary “Accountability Partner!” As we look to it to keep us, guard us and prepare us for the temptations that confront us daily; accountability creates an environment of encouragement and righteousness that cultivates our lives; enabling God’s genuine love to flow and make our lives rich in His presence.
1Corn. 6:1-8 illustrates the role of accountability when there are legal disputes among believers. Somehow this mere circumstance sounds like an oxymoron. Considering the biblical standard of love and peace and the commitment to righteous living that the believer’s walk is supposed to be built upon, why should there be legal disputes among us, Right?…but clearly there are. In matters such as these, the discussion of accountability in regards to judging disputes has its focused on something surprisingly different in the following passages. It is the reality that the believer has been ordained to be a peacemaker and judge. In fact, they have been appointed by God to judge the WORLD!
1Corn.6:1-8
When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers…
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
The Ministry of Accountability has a judicial system divinely built within the doctrine that governs the community of believers. It is a model of the judicial system that will govern the Millennial Reign where the believers rule for one thousand years and are positioned to judge the nations. Wow! What an eye opener. Oh how we have forgotten this reality of our spiritual heritage. So, the way we handle our disputes should be written upon our peacemaker hearts that is in accountability to the ministry of reconciliation; to which we’ve all been called (2Corn. 5:18).
Living accountable to this call will cause us to put into practice the way we will judge disputes in the era that is yet to come. Paul reminds us of who we are in Christ Jesus and admonishes us that we ought to learn how to settle disputes among us and not to bring our lives shame by going to the courts of sinful men. You see, accountability not only holds us to righteous living, it also holds us accountable to our spiritual identity so we might be a true light in the world.
This deeper spiritual awareness reminds me of the passage that tells us not to store up treasure on earth that fades away but to be mindful to store up treasures that are eternal (Matt. 6:19-21). It now seems clear to see that when the believer submits his/her life to be accountable to the word of God and to one another they essentially position themselves for a walk of faith that is genuine, empowered, authentic and ever transforming into the image of Jesus Christ.
Living Accountable Lives
As mentioned, the subject of accountability carries a great weight of anxiety. So, maintaining a right perspective about accountability will enable us to truly be accountable. Remember, accountability is NOT about being perfect or righteous as it is about being spiritually prepared and equipped; having a heart that desires to be spiritually responsible in all circumstances. This simply requires us to trust and submit to God, utilizing His standards (which is the word of God) that will empower and teach us HOW to live genuine godly lives.
I would conclude now that the entire bible is an instruction manual on how to live ACCOUNTABLE. The understanding here is that the power of accountability is found in the standards of God…so we must trust the standard, not a person and most certainly not ourselves. This is where many stumble and stress about living righteous. Living righteous is not about following rules. It is about “Keeping Covenant.” Think about it, relationships of all kind mature and grow because each party understood the terms of their covenant with one another (both spoken and unspoken). They CHOSE to trust the terms and so in keeping them, it would ensure a healthy loving relationship. In essence, they chose to live “Set Apart” (holy) and “Righteous” to their covenant terms. They chose to live contrary to the lifestyles of those around them. You see, God knew the ability to live righteous was not in our nature as human beings because we are sinful by nature. In fact, those we have chosen to be in relationship with will by default, become our “accountability partner.” Yes! It is through these special chosen relationships that God will use every bump in the road to encourage us to re-evaluate our covenant terms with God (as it pertains to our relationships) and then decide if we are truly committed to love God and others for LIFE. The Ministry of Accountability helps us to understand the importance of our “life in the spirit.” Life in the spirit engages us beyond a person’s physical presence, it is the life of God that flows “through us” spiritually. It is the life of God’s spirit and presence. Broken relationships don’t begin with a separation. It begins with a broken spirit, long before physical separation takes place. This is why the Ministry of Accountability is a gift from God.
You see, the work of accountability is “Ministry” not misery! This means its work is divine in nature, bearing supernatural elements, achieving spiritual purposes and producing supernatural fruit in God. Like everything divine, we experience a supernatural presence and intervention of God when we exercise it. It seems reasonable to say then, that accountability is the divine tool or discipline that enables every believer to live a supernatural life in God and with men. The Ministry of Accountability teaches us to love and value this kind of support and therefore, it should be something everyone should seek out. For example, Galatians 6:1-18 suggests that each person is responsible to restore a fellow believer caught in a transgression. It warns to keep watch upon our own lives, lest we are tempted also. This is fascinating for many reasons. You see, too often we tend to run away or pull back from someone in error or caught in a transgression. We are easy to judge, gossip and condemn or we may smugly tell them what they need to do. This passage suggests that when we do this, we become prideful and subject for an equal fall – making us hypocritical and blind to God’s greater will. This attitude appears to be a common criticism from the world about the church and Christians within the Body of Christ. The Ministry of Accountability instructs us to go after and restore one another in a spirit of love and gentleness and to bear one another’s burdens. This would suggest that in doing so we are guarded against fear, pride, deception, and hypocrisy. Protection is GOOD!
Ephes. 4:1-32 suggests you should walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love and eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace). You see, the title “Child of God” really means something. If we are pursuing the genuine ministry of accountability, then we will walk in humility and gentleness, with patience, and bearing with one another.” Could this be the key to living accountable? What then enables us to walk in humility, gentleness, patience? I believe it is simply submission to the standards of God’s word. It is a constant admission of “Not my will but thy will be done.” This kind of obedience doesn’t scrutinize and judge God’s word, it simply trusts in His ways above anything else and as a result, we receive His supernatural purpose, presence, and power in our lives. We don’t even need to worry if we are good at anything because we are led by an humble, submissive and loving heart. God will make everything come out just right when we place His desires above our own. Luke 17:3 reminds us to “pay attention to ourselves.” What is interesting here is that we will see that the greatest work of accountability is when we pay attention to how we treat others and in particular with those who offend us.
You see, those we have chosen to walk accountable to should remind us of God’s truth. They will support and encourage us to pursue the will and purposes of God in our lives even when it’s hard. When each person is committed to God to do their part, then the Ministry of Accountability is manifested perfectly. Now, Hebrews 13:17-21 directs our attention to how we should relate to leaders among us. It simply instructs us to submit to them. Notice it doesn’t define what kind of leaders they are. We want to assume these are pastors, employers, government and civic leaders etc. However, these authority figures can be represented by almost anyone like husbands, teachers, group leaders, spiritual parents and mentors and most importantly, God. I believe the Ministry of Accountability keeps us humble so we may be able to honor and respect those who have been appointed to govern our lives (whether we like them or not). This structure of accountability pleases God because it cultivates an environment of order, peace, and harmony with God and among men. It will also challenge us to remain mindful in being accountable to the word of God and to one another.
The Ministry of Accountability creates an atmosphere of compassion and growth! Romans 15:17 encourages us to consider those who are weak among us. Weakness could be referred to as physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, financial and economic weaknesses. The Ministry of Accountability causes us to be discerning of our own spirit of arrogance and pride that would look down upon the weak, thinking we are better than they are. Even worse, shamefully we might endeavor to keep them down in order to feel strong. This passage suggests that genuine concern for the weak produces compassion and harmony and is in alignment with the ministry of Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to consider how to stir up one another in love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another, and all the more as we see the Day of the Lord drawing near. The Ministry of Accountability calls us to be proactive in our relationships, in particular among believers. Love, peace, and harmony doesn’t just happen, it happens when we actively stir up the standards of God. Being accountable doesn’t require us to like, or agree with the standards of God; we merely need to trust, submit and obey them. The blessing they hold will come only after we act in obedience and its outcome is so rich that it will encourage us to continue in them and in time, it will become a desire of our heart. What is also important to realize is that the Ministry of Accountability is a missional work until Jesus Christ returns. You see, if we let down our guard in the work of accountability we will become vulnerable and prone to error and offense. The standard of God is what clothes us as a people of God and without it, we walk naked and ashamed of God, causing our godly presence among men to diminish in the earth. You see, the Ministry of Accountability is a POWERFUL thing in our lives.
The Ministry of Accountability is a discipleship principle! In fact, Philippians 3:17 suggest we have only to imitate the walk of those who live an exemplary godly life – in summary, “model after those who model after Christ.” This is indeed at the heart and soul of good discipleship where mentoring and spiritual parenting is most useful. It also seems accountability is most talked about in the world when it comes to money! It seems when the topic of accountability comes up most people think of stewardship ie., FINANCES. As you can see the Ministry of Accountability covers a gamut of different topics. However, while accountability in finances could easily stand alone as a study, I believe Matthew 23:23 and Matt. 6:23 highlights the important points.
Matt. 23:23
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
Matt. 6:23
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Throughout the Gospels, we read how Jesus considered the Pharisees an ungodly, has-been, religious group whose degenerated doctrine has now become a heavy weight upon the people of God. Jesus’ New Covenant message was quite a contrast from what the Pharisees were preaching. Jesus was explicit in clarifying which of these ethical standards (money or justice) was more important while both were considered valuable. Deuteronomy 16:17 seem to speak to the heart of what Jesus was conveying to the Pharisees; “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.” It now seems apparent, that the Ministry of Accountability has a host of highly regarded principles leaving none to be overlooked.
The most important thing to understand about the Ministry of Accountability is to realize that God is ALWAYS concerned about our RELATIONSHIPS…the one we have with Him and those we have with others. This is what Jesus described as the two greatest commandments in Matt. 22:36-40. Accountability is formed as a threefold cord. We are accountable to God, His word and to men. We are empowered to walk accountable when we submit to the divine support that comes from God, His word and fellow trustworthy believers. The Ministry of Accountability was divinely designed for the purpose of growing and cultivating these important relationships and God has carefully illustrated in His word how to live it out.
Karen Gaithers-Life Discipleship 