An Accountable Christian

rwh3may Ep.362 – Run With Horses Podcast – Accountability

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Author pages with links to all books on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith

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Do you find it difficult to stay on track and actually do the things you know you should do? Is consistency in exercise, healthy eating, regular prayer and daily time with God a problem for you? If so, you may benefit from seeking healthy, ongoing accountability as part of your spiritual journey toward Christ-likeness.

Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It’s very cool that we can do that together!

Thank you for joining me today! “If you’re new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”

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Shout out to Radio Stations!

 

When the topic is accountability many people instantly run for the hills, fearing an heavy overbearing hand forcing them to do things they don’t want to do and hating every minute of it. Let me ease your mind, that is not Biblical accountability!

Biblical Accountability is a key tool in the life of a follower of Jesus who is seeking to grow spiritually and live according to biblical principles. It is something you invite into your relationships with other growing disciple of Jesus. We are on the same path and can help each other as we go. It’s not force, it’s mutual cooperation to intentionally move in the direction God is showing us.

1. Accountability to God

As followers of Jesus, we are ultimately accountable to God for how we live our lives. Every believer must recognize that their actions, thoughts, and behaviors are under God's authority.

• Romans 14:12

• 2 Corinthians 5:10

2. Accountability to Fellow Believers

The Bible also teaches that believers should be accountable to one another. We are not meant to walk the Christian life alone. God designed the church as a community where believers help one another grow spiritually.

• Galatians 6:1-2

• James 5:16

3. Mutual Accountability in Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth requires intentionality, and part of that is having people in our lives who can help hold us accountable in our pursuit of holiness and spiritual maturity.

• Hebrews 10:24-25

• Proverbs 27:17

4. Examples of Accountability in the Bible

• Nathan and David: A powerful example of accountability can be seen in the relationship between the prophet Nathan and King David. After David's sin with Bathsheba, God sent Nathan to confront David about his sin. Nathan’s courage to hold David accountable ultimately led to David’s repentance and restoration (2 Samuel 12:1-14). This example highlights how accountability often involves speaking the truth in love, even when it's difficult.

• Paul and Peter: The apostle Paul held Peter accountable in Galatians 2:11-14, when Peter’s actions were inconsistent with the gospel. Peter was initially eating with Gentiles, but when certain Jewish believers arrived, he withdrew, fearing what they might think. Paul publicly confronted him, saying, “But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?’” (Galatians 2:14). This shows that accountability sometimes involves a public rebuke when necessary to uphold the truth of the gospel.

• Jesus and His Disciples: Jesus modeled accountability in His relationships with His disciples. He often rebuked them for their lack of faith or for misunderstanding His mission (e.g., Matthew 16:23, when He rebuked Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!"). However, He also encouraged them to support each other, as seen in John 13:34-35, where He commanded them to love one another as He had loved them. The accountability Jesus modeled was always rooted in love and truth.

5. Personal Responsibility and the Role of the Holy Spirit

Ultimately, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of a believer as they grow spiritually. The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin, guides them into truth, and empowers them to live out the Christian life. Accountability to the Holy Spirit is a matter of responding to His promptings and seeking His strength to live faithfully.

• John 14:26

• Romans 8:13

 

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**(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**

 

Seeking out accountability is a crucial aspect of spiritual growth for several reasons. It helps believers stay on track in their walk with God, provides encouragement, and ensures that they are living according to biblical principles.

1. Why Should a Person Seek Out Accountability?

a. Prevents Spiritual Drift

Accountability acts as a safeguard against spiritual drift. Without accountability, a person might subtly slide away from their spiritual disciplines, make compromises, or even fall into sin without realizing it. Having someone who can help point out blind spots and encourage continued growth helps keep a believer anchored in their faith.

• Proverbs 4:23

b. Helps Resist Temptation

We all face temptations, and sometimes, the temptation to sin feels overwhelming. Accountability provides a powerful weapon to fight against temptation, as having someone to confess struggles to and ask for prayer can make a huge difference in overcoming sin.

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

c. Provides Encouragement

Christian life is not a solo journey. Having others to encourage and challenge you is crucial for perseverance, especially when trials come. Accountability relationships are a source of encouragement when things feel difficult or when you're unsure about the next steps in your spiritual walk.

• Hebrews 10:24-25

d. Fosters Humility and Repentance

Having someone who can challenge us or confront us when we’re in the wrong helps us maintain a heart of humility and openness. Accountability is not just about staying in line but also about being willing to acknowledge our faults and make changes when needed.

• James 5:16

2. How Does Accountability Help a Person Grow?

a. Encourages Discipline

Spiritual growth requires intentionality and discipline. Accountability partners help set goals and hold each other to those goals. This might involve commitments to prayer, Bible reading, serving others, or other spiritual disciplines. Having someone to check in with keeps us motivated and consistent.

• 1 Timothy 4:7-8

b. Provides Insight and Perspective

Accountability often brings perspective. We can be blind to our own shortcomings or struggles, but an accountability partner may see things we don’t. They can offer valuable advice, wisdom, or scriptural insights that help us grow.

• Proverbs 27:17

c. Strengthens Faith

When believers come together for mutual accountability, their faith grows. Seeing others live out their faith and share their experiences can inspire us to deepen our own commitment to God. It fosters a sense of camaraderie and strengthens our resolve to stay faithful.

• Romans 1:12

d. Promotes Holiness and Christlikeness

Accountability helps keep believers focused on the goal of becoming more like Christ. The process of confessing sin, receiving correction, and being encouraged to pursue holiness creates an environment where believers can grow in their sanctification.

• Philippians 2:1-2

3. How Can a Person Go About Finding Ongoing Accountability Relationships?

a. Start with Prayer

Before seeking accountability, it’s important to pray for guidance. Ask God to lead you to the right people—those who are spiritually mature and trustworthy, and who will help you grow in your faith.

• James 1:5

b. Look for Like-minded Individuals

Seek people who are also committed to growing spiritually and living out biblical principles. Accountability works best when both parties are serious about their spiritual growth. This can include fellow church members, small group participants, or individuals from a Bible study.

• 2 Corinthians 6:14

c. Join a Small Group or Bible Study

Small groups, Bible studies, or discipleship groups are great places to build deeper relationships where mutual accountability can happen. These groups provide a natural environment for openness, prayer, and spiritual growth.

• Acts 2:42

d. Approach Someone with Humility

If you don’t already have an accountability partner, don’t be afraid to approach someone you respect spiritually and ask if they would be willing to meet regularly to hold each other accountable. Be honest about what you’re seeking and humble in your approach.

• Proverbs 15:22

e. Be Open and Transparent

The success of accountability relationships depends on openness and honesty. Be willing to share your struggles and your victories, and be open to both encouragement and correction.

• Ephesians 4:25

Accountability is Healthy Relationships

At its core, talking about growth issues together.

What we need, how we do it, what the stumbling blocks are. Asking how it’s going is a rminder to keep trying!

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Doctrine Today

Jesus - Incarnation

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– “Thank you for listening today!

-If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page.

Don’t be discouraged by the challenges you face. Keep your eyes on Jesus and embrace the opportunity to grow through the trial. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running."

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