How can I effectively hold someone else accountable?
Exodus 18:21-24“But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes . . . They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.”
Psalm 19:11They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
Psalm 119:9How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
Psalm 119:66I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
Titus 1:6-9He [a leader] must not be arrogant or quick-tempered . . . He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.
Before we can help others be accountable, we must not only know God’s commands but consistently obey them and always work to develop good judgment. If we are going to minister to others by holding them accountable, we must be wise, honest, godly, trustworthy, and kind.
Acts 17:10-12That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
Ephesians 4:14-16Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Teachers need to be accountable to the truth of the Scriptures. If we suspect someone’s understanding may be flawed, we should search the Scriptures ourselves, then respectfully speak the truth in love.
Exodus 39:42-43So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses. Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.
Those in positions of leadership are held accountable for the work of others. Inspection and evaluation are necessary accountability tools for the people who report to them.
Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”
Luke 17:3“So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.”
Ephesians 4:15-16We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
James 5:19-20My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
The purpose of accountability is not to criticize or complain about others, but to speak the truth in love, to lift them up when they stumble, and to point them back to their loving heavenly Father.
Deuteronomy 8:5“Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.”
Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”
1 Corinthians 5:12It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.
Hebrews 12:6-7“For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
God uses loving discipline to hold us accountable, and many of us who are leaders have a responsibility to follow that example. Parents must discipline children, bosses must discipline employees, and church leaders must discipline unrepentant sin within the church. Such discipline should always stem from a desire to help others grow, not out of some misguided desire for power or control. While some of us have greater responsibilities in this area than others, each of us can encourage one another to learn from and grow through discipline.
James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Confession and prayer are powerful tools in accountability, both in our own lives and for helping others.
