Watching Over Your Own Soul – Accountability

Watching Over Your Own Soul – Accountability

One of the greatest things that God uses to help us overcome our sin is other brothers and sisters.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The Christian life is not made to be lived alone. We are to live within community with one another helping each other cross the finish line.

But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.1 Corinthians 12:20-27

As Christians we have the responsibility to help one another in our time of temptation. We must do everything we can to keep each member from falling into sin. The biggest problem with Christian accountability is not the people don’t seek accountability; it is that no one will take the time to help a struggling brother or sister.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.James 5:16-20

We must be willing to ask for help. Regular confession of sin and temptations is part of the Christian life.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.Galatians 6:1-4

We must be willing to help others, but we must also be humble enough to realize our own sinfulness. Many people do not seek help because of the condescending nature of many Christians. We must also humble ourselves if we desire victory. Many times what keeps us in our sin is our desire to be seen as something other than what we are. If we allow others to see what we truly are God will give us grace to change.

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