How do I become more accountable?

Jeremiah 23:24“Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.

Taking accountability seriously begins with God. We will better understand what we are doing and why we are doing it when we understand whom we are doing it for. He knows all the secrets of our hearts anyway, so why try to hide anything from him? God longs for an honest relationship with us. We can talk with him about the struggles we have in following him.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Knowing and reminding each other of God’s Word helps keep us accountable.

1 Thessalonians 5:11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Hebrews 3:13You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

Hebrews 10:24-25Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Encouraging each other in our daily lives is a powerful means of accountability.

Psalm 1:1Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

Psalm 119:9, 66How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word . . . I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.

2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

To become more accountable, follow God’s commands as outlined in his Word, the Bible.

2 Samuel 12:1-13So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. . . . One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” . . . David was furious. “As surely as the Lord lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. . . . Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. . . .” Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.”

Proverbs 27:6Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

We should purposefully choose wise friends who will hold us accountable. Their honesty may hurt at times, but can save us from greater pain down the road.

Proverbs 5:13Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?

Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Part of being accountable is being a good listener and observer. We can learn much about our own behavior by observing others and listening to wise friends whom we respect.

1 Corinthians 11:2I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you.

1 Corinthians 11:24-25Then he [Jesus] broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”

Traditions can provide accountability—a consistent reminder of truth. Jesus began the tradition of the Lord’s Supper to remind us of his life-giving sacrifice for us.

Exodus 34:27Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.”

Deuteronomy 6:12“Be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 27:8“You must clearly write all these instructions on the stones coated with plaster.”

Isaiah 30:8-9Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witness that these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to the Lord’s instructions.

Luke 1:46-49Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.”

Luke 2:19Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

Reflecting on—and even writing down—important moments and insights along our spiritual journey can help hold us accountable in the future. When we are reminded of God’s faithfulness in the past, we can more confidently obey him in the future. When we are reminded of how much he has shown his love for us, we can more passionately love him back.