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What is accountability?

Why is it necessary?

James 5:16-18 NLT Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was a human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

One of the greatest privileges as a believer includes being a part of the Body of Christ. Much like your biological family, you don’t get to choose your spiritual family. There are powerful dynamics of relationship at play. As a family, God knows we will shape and mold one another into the image of Christ. We get to practice this transformation on those around us. Proverbs remind us that iron sharpens iron. In the same way, those we stand in close relationship with form us.

God’s greatest desire is that we would learn how to live whole and healed lives and have healthy relationships. In fact, He demonstrated that value for relationship within the Godhead. He is well aware of our human frailties. He is very familiar with our human nature, having become a human Himself. Within the Body of Christ, a believer no longer only considers himself. Instead, you realize that your actions and behavior impact those around you, either positively or negatively.

Accountability then is the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions. This writer invites the reader to be open about his vulnerabilities and how it has violated someone else. The heart of the kingdom is always restoration. As we are restored to the Father, our hearts become tender when bonds of trust have been broken amongst our fellow man. This scripture demonstrates that much power flows from our own lives when we live in right relationship with God and our fellow man.

Action steps:  

• Identify one or two people to whom you will make yourself accountable.  
• Allow the Holy Spirit to show you if there is anyone towards whom you should make restitution.