There’s been a thought stuck in my mind for about a week or two and it was related to a Bible verse I had read somewhere. Today in my reading, I came right across that verse and so I want to hit on it real quick.
See, I’ve found an odd effect in accountability. There have been times where I have admitted issues to friends so that they can help me get on the right path, and within time, those people all of the sudden have the same struggle. It’s as though in a weak moment of their life, they thought about me and considered me someone who was trying to be a good Christian but had issues. And then in that moment they fell into those struggles.
Now accountability is incredibly important. We should all look for people to hold us to God’s standard of living. But if we’re going to take on accountability, we need to do so with strong hearts. Here’s the verse I am referring to in Galatians 6:1.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
It’s that last part that I really feel fits what I’m trying to say. When you go to hold someone accountable, you actually need to watch yourself. If you go in thinking that your invulnerable to anyone’s issues, you may leave your guard down to a prowling, roaring lion who seeks to devour you. In a weak moment you may find your defenses crashing down because you know of that Christian who wants to live right, but is stuck in transgression. That being said, those of you in the realm of counseling should especially keep your guard up.
Also note that you should restore that person in a spirit of gentleness. I wrote on that theme in an older post. And it’s a good note for me right now because I’ve been reflecting the severe words of Paul on transgression in passages such as 1 Corinthians 5. The two help you see balance in Paul’s dealings with Christians.
We must seek to live righteous knowing at the same time that Jesus is our righteousness. Restore one another in gentleness. Find an accountability partner. And to make my “odd” point clear once more: guard yourself as you hold someone accountable, lest you be tempted too. If you fall into the same problems as the person you’re trying to help, you’ll both need help and your accountability for each other will be weak.
That’s something I’ve also experienced. Accountability partners who struggle with the same struggle don’t do the greatest job at helping each other get out of the struggle because neither experience much of the freedom they both desire. Neither of the two stand as a model to say, “Dude, this is great, you gotta come up here!” Instead you throw pity parties for each other.
“This was an issue again yesterday.”
“Yeah, same here.”
“Yeah. Let’s not do that again.”
“Okay.”
Two days pass and the conversation happens again.
I’m not saying that these accountability groups are bad. But you may experience much more success if you bring a few other trustworthy people into your group who can show you what freedom looks like. That way they can restore you in gentleness and you’ll actually want to be like them.
And that’s my spiel on odd effects.
