The VineSample

Practicing Accountability

People tend to fall into one of two groups when it comes to confrontation. The first group of people is afraid of conflict. When someone has given offense or acted inappropriately, they won’t say anything because they fear or are uncomfortable with managing that conversation. The second group of people is not afraid of conflict, but they do not manage it well. They get unhelpfully angry, choose hurtful words, or make their confrontation more about revenge than helping their brother or sister see a wrong.

Christians are called to conflict, or rather, to hold each other accountable for the way we think, speak, and act. This accountability is not given from a posture of power but with a spirit of humility and love for the brother and sister who is in the wrong. Paul told the early church, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently” (Galatians 6:1-2). We as believers look out for one another, knowing that sin destroys a person. Wouldn’t you want someone to tell you if you were doing something harmful to yourself?

What about something that misrepresents God and His mission? When Paul saw that Peter was falling back into prejudices and racism against non-Jewish people, Paul honestly pointed out this error (Galatians 2:11-14). Why? To draw Peter’s attention to his sin, but also to preserve Christ’s teachings in the church—that all are equal and welcome before God. Accountability is important because God calls us to holiness for the sake of His name. If we shy away from accountability in the church, our message becomes diluted and emptied of its effect.

So how do you practice accountability with other believers? “Confess your sins to each other and pray for one another” (James 5:16). Strive for holiness (1 Peter 1:13-16), and gently seek to restore a Christian brother and sister from their sin. Talk with believers you gather with to make this a regular part of your fellowship, for the good of the group and the glory of God.

Prayer

“God, teach me to confess my sins not only to You but to the Christian brothers and sisters in my life. Help us strive for holiness together.”

Explore at your speed

Go back and read Acts 4:32–37, paying attention to how this group of Christians were committed to each other and focused on their mission. Now go on to read Acts 5:1-11. Why do you think God and the apostles took Ananias and Sapphira’s sin so seriously? What was at stake?