The Blog

When the word "accountability" comes to mind, many different things pop in my head. Experiences, lessons learned, and friends. The definition of "accountability" is the state of being accountable, liable, answerable. The responsibility to someone or for some activity. A story in the Bible that reminds me so much of accountability is David and Jonathan, we can find the story in 1 Samuel 18-20. As you read the story you understand that Jonathan's dad, King Saul, wanted to kill David because he is jealous and angry that God is using him more and the people like him better. When David asks Jonathan why his dad wanted to kill him, Jonathan replied in 1 Samuel 20:9 , " you know that if I had the slightest clue my father was planning to kill you, I would tell you at once!" After reading this it made me think about my walk with God and all the people I am accountable to and the people that are accountable to me. Spiritually am i doing all that I can to help them out? Am I willing to fight and do whatever it takes for my friend to live a little longer? As I looked more into the story and read it a couple more times, I saw that in the beginning of it, in 1 Samuel 18:4 David and Jonathan make a pact/covenant to be there for each other as they both try to get past this situation, they work together and do everything they can do TOGETHER to over come this. Jonathan does not just tell David, sorry dude your out of luck, my dad hates you. He tells him what can we do to get through this. They do it as partners. It just reminds me that I need to be accountable, not only for myself, but for the sake of my friends. To help them get through their tough times. To fight with them, to figure the way out just as David and Jonathan did. It also reminds me that not only do I have to give accountability, but I have to receive it. It cannot be a one way deal, it has to be an equal amount of both.
In Inste class, you sign a covenant with a spiritual growth partner or an accountability partner. During this time, you learn so much about each other. You go to each other when you need prayer, you correct each other. And you are just there whenever you need to talk. But it can not just be one sided or it wouldn't a benefit to bother partners. The whole ideal about two people to to help each other out. So in order for you to grow spiritually, You have to open up to them, tell them the things no one else knows about you. Accept their correction, intercede with them. Just allow them to be there for you as you do the same with them. That is how you are accountable to each other, and it is amazing when you look back and see how much you have grown in Christ, side by side. Accountability is something so much more than talking to your friends, it is opening up and allowing them to help you when times are hard and you cannot do it by yourself.