I believe one of the greatest challenges to a maturing body of Christ is trying to develop a sense of biblical accountability toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. Numerous scriptures remind us of the value of reproving, exhorting, rebuking, correcting, and speaking the truth in love, as we help each other to grow in Christian maturity. A great deal of this challenge in todays society comes to us from a secular mindset, which has slowly but surely crept in and gained a foothold in the Christian world view. This teaching has spawned and unhealthy growth of secular thinking concerning concepts of personal space, personal truth, and personal lives, and has told us the best way to love each other is to, “mind our own business.”
We often find it hard to correct each other or to say hard things to one another fearing that we will be perceived as harshly judging one another. So we remain silent even while loved ones make bad choices, commit terrible sins, and in some cases do great damage to their lives. We have allowed this ”to each his own” and “I’m not perfect either”, kind of thinking to infect the once sensible way in which we genuinely cared enough to correct and rebuke each other in love.
Believing that we can no longer lovingly correct each other (even our children) concerning shortcomings is counterintuitive to the bibles teaching that we are to genuinely care for the welfare of each other. Interestingly enough the bible in fact encourages us in several places to openly rebuke each other rather than conceal our love by remaining silent (Proverbs 27:5). James the brother of Jesus tells us that when a friend wanders from the truth, we are to correct them. He goes on to say that in doing so we are likely to keep them from committing other sins, and may help to save their life (James 5:1). Jesus himself tells us to rebuke a sinning brother, but he also reminds us to forgive them when they repent (Luke 17:3).
So let us speak the truth in love and recapture the biblical concept of caring for one another by actually holding each other accountable before God. Of course it must be “in love”. That is the key to biblical truthing. One preacher said that, “truth without love is nothing more than brutality, but love in the absence of truth is hypocrisy. The bible also remind us that the tough advice and rebuke of a good friend are ultimately appreciated far greater than a kiss from one who does not care about us (Proverbs 27:6,9).
Perhaps a weekly accountability relationship with a fellow Christian may help you as you mature in Christ. I have copied two samples below. I’m sorry I can’t remember where I got them from or I would give credit where do. The first one is by category, which challenges us in several areas of our Christian walk. The second is a briefer ten question one. Pray about approaching a friend that you can spend some time with on a routine basis as you sharpen each other in the faith (Proverbs 27:17).
The Weekly One-Hour Accountability Check-up
Spiritual Life:
1. Have you read God’s Word daily? (How long? Why not? Will you next week?)
2. Describe your prayers? (for yourself, for others, praise, confession, gratitude)
3. How is your relationship with Christ changing?
4. How have you been tempted this week? How did you respond?
5. Do you have any unconfessed sin in your life?
6. Are you walking in the Spirit?
7. Did you worship in church this week? (Was your faith in Jesus strengthened? Was He honored?)
8. Have you shared your faith? In what ways? How can you improve?
Home Life:
1. How is it going with your wife? (attitudes, time, irritations, disappointments, progress, her relationship with Christ)
2. How is it going with the kids? (quantity and quality of time, values and beliefs, education, spiritual warfare)
3. How are your finances doing? (debts, sharing, saving, stewardship)
Work Life:
1. How are things going on the job? (career progress, relationships, temptations, work load, stress, problems, working too much)
Critical Concerns:
1. Do you feel in the center of God’s will? Do you sense His peace?
2. What are you wrestling with in your thought life?
3. What have you done for someone else this week? (the poor, encouragement, service)
4. Are your priorities in the right order?
5. Is your moral and ethical behavior what it should be?
6. How are you doing in your personal high-risk area?
7. Is the “visible” you and the “real” you consistent in this relationship?
Prayer: Close the one-hour accountability check up with ten to fifteen minutes of prayer. Focus on concerns of the week
Ten questions for accountability
1. Have you spent daily time in the Scriptures and in prayer?
2. Have you had any flirtatious or lustful attitudes, tempting thoughts,
or exposed yourself to any explicit materials which would not glorify God?
3. Have you been completely above reproach in your financial dealings?
4. Have you spent quality relationship time with family and friends?
5. Have you done your 100% best in your job, school, etc.?
6. Have you told any half truths or outright lies, putting yourself
in a better light to those around you?
7. Have you shared the Gospel with an unbeliever this week?
8. Have you taken care of your body through daily physical exercise
and proper eating/sleeping habits?
9. Have you allowed any person or circumstance to rob you of your joy?
10. Have you lied to us on any of your answers today?
Proverbs 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
James 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
Luke 17:3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Ephesians 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
