- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,078
"What does the Bible say on the importance of accountability?"
With much temptation already in the world today, Satan is working overtime to create more. We must have a brother or sister we can count on when we are facing temptations that threaten our spiritual lives. King David was alone the evening he was tempted by Satan. You may have thought it was Bathsheba that tempted him, but the Bible tells us we fight a war not of flesh but of the spirit, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). David learned a costly lesson by allowing temptation to overcome him—God struck his son with sickness and allowed him to die.
Knowing we are in a battle against the spiritual forces of darkness, we should want as much help as we can gather around us. In Ephesians, Paul goes on to tell us that we must be equipped with all the power that God supplies to fight this battle: “Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Notice that Paul said “that you may be able to withstand.” He realized that even if we equip ourselves with everything God has to offer in defense of evil, we are still human and we may not always be able to resist Satan’s temptations. So, what more can we do to stand against evil and temptation? We know without a doubt that temptation will come.
Satan knows our weaknesses, and he knows when we are vulnerable. He knows when a married couple is squabbling. He knows when a child has been punished by his parents and might be feeling spiteful. He knows when things aren’t going well at work and reminds us of that bar that is on the way home. Where do we find help if we have done all we can do to fight the battle? We want to do what’s right in the sight of God, yet we are weak humans. What do we do?
Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance.” A friend’s countenance is a look or expression indicative of encouragement or of moral support. When is the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you were doing? When is the last time you called a friend and asked her if she needed to talk? Encouragement and moral support from a friend are sometimes the missing ingredients in fighting the battle against Satan.
The writer of Hebrews summed it up when he said, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:19-26).
With much temptation already in the world today, Satan is working overtime to create more. We must have a brother or sister we can count on when we are facing temptations that threaten our spiritual lives. King David was alone the evening he was tempted by Satan. You may have thought it was Bathsheba that tempted him, but the Bible tells us we fight a war not of flesh but of the spirit, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). David learned a costly lesson by allowing temptation to overcome him—God struck his son with sickness and allowed him to die.
Knowing we are in a battle against the spiritual forces of darkness, we should want as much help as we can gather around us. In Ephesians, Paul goes on to tell us that we must be equipped with all the power that God supplies to fight this battle: “Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Notice that Paul said “that you may be able to withstand.” He realized that even if we equip ourselves with everything God has to offer in defense of evil, we are still human and we may not always be able to resist Satan’s temptations. So, what more can we do to stand against evil and temptation? We know without a doubt that temptation will come.
Satan knows our weaknesses, and he knows when we are vulnerable. He knows when a married couple is squabbling. He knows when a child has been punished by his parents and might be feeling spiteful. He knows when things aren’t going well at work and reminds us of that bar that is on the way home. Where do we find help if we have done all we can do to fight the battle? We want to do what’s right in the sight of God, yet we are weak humans. What do we do?
Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance.” A friend’s countenance is a look or expression indicative of encouragement or of moral support. When is the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you were doing? When is the last time you called a friend and asked her if she needed to talk? Encouragement and moral support from a friend are sometimes the missing ingredients in fighting the battle against Satan.
The writer of Hebrews summed it up when he said, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:19-26).
[1] Begin each day walking with your best friend and Lord, Jesus Christ;
[2] With an open, loving heart that Jesus provides, draw near to friends (your accountability team);
[3] Remember your confession of faith to the One who can change lives;
[4] Encourage one another (your accountability team) in love, urging each other to love and to do good to others, as you continue to meet together (with your team or church family);
[5] Satisfied that you have done everything possible to avoid sin and to help your brothers and sisters to remain strong in their faith, praise God for what He is doing in your life!
Article: gotquestions.org[2] With an open, loving heart that Jesus provides, draw near to friends (your accountability team);
[3] Remember your confession of faith to the One who can change lives;
[4] Encourage one another (your accountability team) in love, urging each other to love and to do good to others, as you continue to meet together (with your team or church family);
[5] Satisfied that you have done everything possible to avoid sin and to help your brothers and sisters to remain strong in their faith, praise God for what He is doing in your life!
They are accountable alright. And now days, you have to beware of the females but males too! And women in the church has always played with other women in the dark, The Old prayer warriors [old women in the church] they use to protect You with sanctifying prayers to keep you Holy. And warn others to stay clear of you! Somehow they knew those who would taint and they would warn them off, women they would warn off from corrupting men in the “Congregation” of The Christ.
