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Sin is a reality in every Christian’s life. John warns believers if we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. He goes on to say, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and His word is not in us (1 John 1:8,10). Now if we are honest, we have to admit that the battle against sin is daily and that at times the burden’s that we carry seem unbearable.

 

Why do we participate in Church Discipline? 
Why do we require new members to meet and participate in a membership class?
Why do we regularly partake in the Lord’s Table?
Essentially, why do we participate in spiritual accountability? 

 

Simply, Christ commands his followers to seek each other’s spiritual best through personal holiness. This is not a top-down only approach that just involves the pastors/elders but instead, this is a side-by-side approach in which every believer is fully invested in the spiritual betterment of each other. At Grace, we desire the purity of the church by the admonishment of personal holiness which begins on an individual level. Spiritual accountability encourages, exhorts, admonishes, and corrects. 

 

Whether you crave spirituality accountability, or not… 
Whether you see the need for it, or not…

 

Scripture commands us to actively participate in the spiritual lives of our churches as commanded in Galatians 6. Being fully enabled by the same Holy Spirit of Galatians 5, Paul turns his attention from the fruits of the Spirit in chapter five to the evidences of the Spirit. Practically, what does it look like to “walk by the Spirit” (5:16), to be “led by the Spirit” (5:18), and to “live by the Spirit” (5:25)? Paul argues that our life in the Spirit should lead us to live out our faith in biblical community. Ultimately, you and I are responsible for the spiritual health of others within our local church. Paul squarely puts the responsibility of spiritual betterment on the individuals found within Christ’s church. (Gal. 6)

    • If a brother or sister is addicted to something, one should seek to help. 
    • If someone is working an excessive amount of time and neglecting their family, one should come alongside him to encourage him/her.
    • If a man is involved in a relationship that is “shady,” then one should confront him gently. 
    • If a sister has missed corporate worship for a month, then at the very least they should receive a phone call.
    • If a sister lacks spiritual life, one should take her out for coffee.
    • If a brother seems to have a rough time in his marriage or his relationship with his children, one should come alongside him.

Perhaps you have never taken steps toward spiritual accountability. Here are some practical ideas in which you can strive towards the help and hope that is found in Christ as provided through the local church.

Taking Steps in Active Spiritual Accountability 

  1. Choose someone in our local body that you desire to have deeper spiritual accountability with.
  2. Advance trust with this individual by opening up with him regarding your personal struggles.
  3. Start a “Personal Accountability Note”
    1. Strengths
    2. Weaknesses
    3. Where you need to grow.
  4. Reach out to that individual on a bi-weekly basis. (at least)
  5. Seek to spend personal time growing together in Christ-likeness
    1. Read the same Bible Study Plan
    2. Go through a devotional book
    3. Study a biblical topic that interests you (Mormonsim, Anxiety, Pride, Evolution vs Creation)
  6. Have a meal with them once a month
  7. Pray for them regularly
  8. Check in with them during “crisis moments.”
  9. Actively engage when any spiritual change happens. (positive or negative).
  10. Be Teachable