Accountability
In Genesis 2:18 it says, “Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him." (GNT)
God in His divine plan knew that it was not good for man to be alone. When God created the universe and everything in it, the Bible records how ‘God saw that all of it was good’. However, when God created Adam, God said, ‘It is not good for man to live alone’ and that’s why He created Eve as a suitable companion for her. However, in today’s society many are opting to be single or unmarried and choose to lead solitary lives.
When a person decides to be single, no matter how good the notion may be, it first and foremost goes against God’s plan for mankind. It is therefore apparent then that a person who chooses to be alone, is more likely to fall into a bondage and trap that Satan sets up for them. A person who chooses loneliness, gives room for his mind and thoughts to be captured by the evil one. We looked in detail in the previous chapter how our thoughts can lead to imaginations, and then end up being strongholds that Satan can control and enslave. If one can avoid this loneliness, and learn instead to be accountable to someone, we can certainly protect ourselves from becoming targets of Satan and his strongholds.
In Proverbs 18:1, we read, “One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.”(HCSB)
The one who does not incorporate himself with others but chooses a life of alienation, is usually as the verse explains someone who only pursues his own selfish desires. Such people are also mostly rebellious and do not wish to heed any advice from anyone, and will get irritated when anyone suggests anything. A selfish and self-centered person will want to have their own way in everything and will not be willing to live in co-operation with others. Often the fault may lie with us, but instead of setting things in order in our own lives, we find it easier to find fault and blame others for all our problems.
In days gone by we used to communicate with each other by writing letters. It used to take a lot of time and effort to do this, but people went to great lengths to write and communicate only because they valued relationships. Now, we have smart phones and internet which should technically have advanced our communication with each other, but sadly this is not the case. Our communications with others have dwindled down to minimal words and emoji’s. Many of us have become islands and prefer this isolated and lonely way of functioning.
A father went to his daughter-in-law’s parents with this complaint. He said, ‘I imagined that when you said your daughter never looked up, that she was shy, but now I know what you mean. It is indeed true that when she starts looking down at and gets hooked up on to her phone, she sure never looks up at anyone.’ This may sound funny, but the fact of the matter is the virtual world is not a real world, and we must decide and make a conscious effort to communicate with those real people who live right next to us. Instead of Parents handing over smart phones and tabs to children to keep them occupied, must make it a point to speak and listen and communicate with them in a meaningful way. It is only in relating with others does one learn to be accountable. This is absolutely impossible in virtual relationships.
Some of us fast for a day in a week, so we can discipline ourselves, forfeit a meal so we can spend time meaningfully with God. It is a good idea from time to time to take a fast from our phones too. Instead we can spend time meaningfully with our families and with other people. This will surely prove to be beneficial to us in building meaningful relationships.
We must seek good godly companions to whom we can be accountable to. For a married couple their spouse should always be their best friend and spiritual mentor. Husbands and wives should motivate one another and also learn be accountable for each other’s spiritual growth. Those who are not married should find a good friend to whom they can be accountable to.
2 Corinthians 2:12-13, “When I went to the city of Troas, the Lord gave me an opportunity to spread the Good News about Christ. But I didn't have any peace of mind, because I couldn't find Titus, our brother, there. So I said goodbye to the people in Troas and went to the province of Macedonia. (GW)
Paul was going to Troas with the intention to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When he got there and discovered that Titus was not there, he decided to leave to move on to Macedonia. Paul was an Apostle of Jesus Christ, but he was dependent on Titus a fellow brother because he not only knew the importance of being accountable to a fellow believer, but understood the strength that one derives from it.
It’s important for us to find someone to whom we are accountable to, to whom we give the right to question us and help us grown in our walk with the Lord. Husbands and wives should also take responsibility for each other. Being accountable not only edifies and strengthens us, but also is a good protection from falling into Satan’s trap. We must also encourage our children to be accountable, especially in matters pertaining to the Lord and His word.
2 Corinthians 7:5-6, Paul says, “Even after we arrived in Macedonia, we did not have any rest. There were troubles everywhere, quarrels with others, fears in our hearts. But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us with the coming of Titus.” (GNB)
Paul moved on to Macedonia and there also he was faced with untold difficulties and fears. However, he recalls how he received encouragement when his fellow brother Titus came to him.
In Ecclesiastes 4:9 we read, “Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively.” (GNB)
If we have godly friends and companions we can be sure that we will not only be stronger, but we can definitely achieve a lot more together. Each of us have our own problems and issues, but when we have a person who can stand with us in those hard times, we will find it far easier to face the challenges, as we have someone who can pray for us and support us through all of it.
We read about an incident in 2 Samuel 10:9-12,“Joab saw that the enemy troops would attack him in front and from the rear, so he chose the best of Israel's soldiers and put them in position facing the Syrians. He placed the rest of his troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who put them in position facing the Ammonites. Joab said to him, "If you see that the Syrians are defeating me, come and help me, and if the Ammonites are defeating you, I will go and help you. Be strong and courageous! Let's fight hard for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD's will be done!" (GNB)
The people of Israel were in battle with the Syrians in front of them and the Ammonites behind them. This is what Joab the commander of the Israel army and his brother Abishai plan and strategize as they face this attack. Their arrangement was that if the Syrians whom Joab and his troops were facing were more powerful, then Abishai and his troops would rush in to help them and if it was vice versa then Joab and his troops would come in to stand by Abishai.
It’s always good to have someone who can stand with us and to whom we can be accountable to. Accountability to another person keep us humble, there is more strength and boldness and certainly no room for fear.
When Joab and Abishai were willing to do what God wanted them to do, they had the assurance and boldness to fight the battle because they knew that the Lord would do the rest for them. They encouraged each other to be strong and not fear the mighty troops that they were going to face, but to fight for the people and the cities of their God.
It is important for us to do all that the Lord requires of us to do. Many people have a faulty understanding that it is enough to just pray and do nothing on their part. For instance, if a farmer who wanted to see his fields flourish, decided to only pray and not go out to work in his fields, we can be sure that he will have nothing but thorns and thistles growing in his field. It’s only when we do our best that the Lord will do the rest. The same is applicable to handling of our finances and to every other area of our lives. God expects us to be responsible and accountable in every aspect of our lives; our personal life, with our families, at work and at Church too.
The early church grew in leaps and bounds because they gathered together to pray, to break bread and fellowship. It’s a great blessing for families to come together to pray for one another and for our communities. It’s also important that we keep the focus of our gatherings in mind and not lose out on the purpose of the same. As we pray together the Lord will bring work mightily and bring about a great revival all around us. Praying together is a sure way for us to be accountable to each other.
In Genesis 3:1, we read, “Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the LORD God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?"(GNB)
We are not sure if Eve was alone at the time of being tempted by the Serpent. It is indeed a great probability that she and Adam were not together at the time of the temptation for if they were, Eve may not have fallen so easily into Satan’s trap.
As being accountable is a great blessing to us, let’s choose to practice being accountable in every area of our lives. As husbands and wives we must be accountable to each other, to assist and build each other up in our spiritual walk and growth in the Lord. Let’s motivate one another to read the word and pray more. So also those who are single, find a godly fellow believer to whom you can be accountable. It’s only when we continue in fellowship with others and practice being accountable to one another, can we overcome Satan and be set free from every form of bondage and enslavement.
Pastor F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by : Ms. Esther Collins
