Accountability is vital to finishing the course set by Jesus. It can be described as opening your life to a few carefully selected, trusted, and loyal confidants who speak the truth in love and who have the right to examine, ask the hard questions, and give counsel.
Four Qualities in Accountability
• Vulnerability. Capable of being wounded, shown to be wrong, even
admitting it before being confronted.
• Teachability. A willingness to learn, being quick to hear and respond to
reproof, being open to counsel.
• Availability. Accessible, touchable, able to be interrupted.
• Honesty. Committed to the truth regardless of how much it hurts, a
willingness to admit the truth no matter how difficult or humiliating the
admission may be.
Biblical Principles
1. Accountability to God is inescapable and inevitable. (Matt. 12:35-36; Rom. 14:10–12)
2. Accountability to spiritual leaders as commanded by God and is
profitable to us. (1 Cor. 16:13–16; Heb. 13:17)
3. Accountability to one another is helpful and healthy. (Rom. 12:9-16;
Rom. 15:1-2,14; Gal. 5:25-6:2)
Advantages of Accountability
1. When we are regularly accountable, we’re less likely to stumble. (Prov.
13:10,14,18,20; 15:31-33)
2. When we are regularly accountable, we are more likely to see accurately. (Prov. 27:17,19)
3. When we are regularly accountable, we are not likely to get away with sinful and unwise actions. (Prov. 27:6)
An Honest Evaluation of Ourselves
1. Can you name one or more people outside your family to whom you
have made yourself regularly accountable?
2. Are you aware of the dangers of not having accountability?
3. When was the last time you gave an account of the “private areas” of
your life to someone outside your family?
This is a resource from the GodSquad (www.godsquad.com) 2000 Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc. Permission granted to copy for personal or ministry uses, provided this credit line is included and content remains unchanged.
Disciples for Purity 