Be Accountable…Before It’s too Late

Hey ladies. Let’s really have a heart to heart moment. I mean…really. The reason why I’m going here today is because I care about you and so does the Lord…even more. Lately, in our Christian arena, many are falling. And not just falling into grave sin, but literally falling away from the truth as they once knew and were taught. Do you see this happening around you? I know that I’m not the only one seeing this. As the drama, deceit, and scandal unfold on a regular basis on our television stations, Facebook and Twitter circles, and web surfing, it would seem as though the love of many is waxing cold both inside and outside of the church. Why is that? I’ll tell you…because iniquity abounds. My only question at this point is this, “Where are the accountability partners?”

As a Christian, being accountable to someone is so vital, especially today. If you’re paying close attention, you would recognize that we are living in dire times as we draw closer to the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (which I am so excited about). So with that being said, not only are we to be pressing towards the mark of the high calling and growing deeper in our walk with God more now than ever, but we also need to be holding ourselves accountable to one another; someone whom we trust who can catch our blind spots. Believe it or not, we all have them, and that’s where accountability comes in.

Now, before I go any further, if you don’t know what accountability means…then here goes. The Webster’s New World Dictionary describes it this way – “Obliged to account for one’s acts; responsible. Capable of being accounted for; explainable.” Now, in practical terms, it could be simply calling your boss, leader, or husband and letting them know that you’re going to be late, explaining an issue or misunderstanding to someone that you wronged without excuse, or talking to someone (whom you trust) about something you know deep down inside is happening in your life that could potentially cause serious consequences if left unchecked. These are just a few examples. But the important thing to note here is that we must be accountable.

Let’s go a little deeper. As I mentioned earlier, unfortunately, many in the church arena are falling into serious sin. Yet, a good way that you and I as Christian women can avoid these pitfalls is by openly talking to someone about anything that could cause danger to others or our spiritual health. Now what I mean by this is...say for instance, you’re having lustful thoughts about someone whom you are not married to but you're really trying to abstain from sex...that's when you would need to check it and talk to someone. Another example is lusting, thinking, or dreaming about someone who is not your husband; that could be an adulterous situation stirring up. Or it could be homosexual thoughts or desires that are beginning to surface in your life, you need to talk to someone. On the other hand, it could be something like stealing, being a gossip, slanderer, backbiter, or something deep that no one else knows about you, but could possibly cause serious problems for you spiritually and beyond. The list could literally go on and on. But the key here is to talk about it...before it’s too late.

Pay attention to the red flags in your life. Those are danger zones. Or before you know it, you'll be so far gone that you won't know how to find your way back. Point of fact. I remember when me and my husband were on our honeymoon in Destin, Florida back in 2003, and we were having a great time together on the sandy beach. The water looked pretty good, so we thought, "Hey, let's go in." Well, at one moment we were swimming and enjoying the waves, and then all of a sudden I realized that I was getting too far away from the shore. Then out of nowhere these huge waves were beginning to push me further and further away. Actually, they were so strong that when I reached out for my husband's hand, the overbearing waters pried our fingers apart. Suddenly, I was literally in sinking sand. My feet couldn't touch the ground any longer, the waves were so overbearing that I really became afraid, because I was so far away! And then I had this "Ah-ha!" moment. I thought, "Wait a minute, I know how to swim!" Because in the midst of it all I literally forgot that I knew how to swim. So I took off with all that I knew was within me to get back to the shore, and before you knew it...I was back on land. Whew!

But here's the clincher. When we were headed back to our hotel, a guy in the elevator told us that we were really at our own risk in the water that day, because there was a "red flag" zone. And to make it even more serious, when we got back home, the news reported that there were five people who lost their lives in that water (including a mother and her five year old son).

Listen, the point here is this. It's so important that we reach out to talk to someone, before we get into waters way over our head. It's just too dangerous and not worth it. The Bible says in James 5:16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayers of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” (NLT) So you see! There is freedom in confession. I’m a firm believer that this works. Personally, if I know that something is happening in me that is not like the Lord, I do a regular self-examination. Second Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test.” (NLT) The word of God is just powerful! It’s simply the truth and it’ll make us free. But we have to confess our sins and then He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) Confessions is the prerequisite to freedom!

Let me ask you this. Do you have a friend or mentor who you can talk to about anything and at any time that can hold you accountable when you may be about to do something you might later regret? If you have someone, that's great! But if you don't, then I highly recommend that you pray about it. I believe that this is such an important component to have in your Christian walk. And of course, talk to God. He’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Actually, I have regular conversations with Him. I have to. He is so a part of my everyday life. I tell Him about my troubles, concerns, issues, hurts, pains, hang-ups…even the fresh stuff that tries to grab hold of me. But the quicker I catch it, the quicker I can nip it in the bud…before it becomes a stronghold in my life.

I encourage you dear sister to be open and honest with yourself, God, and others whom you trust. Don’t hide anything in your heart that could cause major damage and blockage from your effectiveness in the kingdom. You have work to do for the Lord, and you don’t want iniquity to ruin everything for you or anyone else around you for that fact. If you’re dealing with something right now that you know you need to talk about it, (i.e. negative thoughts, actions, entertaining or toying with something or someone you know you shouldn’t), I pray that you will expose yourself before God does. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, God had to expose him. And even though, he repented, there were still serious consequences for his hidden sin. But what I love about this is that he was able to overcome this and go on even stronger in the Lord, because of a sincere heart of repentance. That's so important. And one of my favorite Scriptures is when David said, “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) Actually, it's the themed Scripture for Inside Out. I love it because anytime I need to be renewed in my heart and mind, the Holy Spirit quickens me to ask this of the Lord. I find it to be so helpful. But with that being said, keep this in mind as you're reading this or even going about your week...stay open and be accountable, before it's too late.

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon. Let’s get ready from the Inside Out.

~Courtnaye

*Hey! A book/personal or group study that I highly recommend in regards to what we’re talking about today is entitled, “Seeking Him: Experiencing The Joy of Personal Revival” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom. Awesome heart check book…gets me right every time I pick it up! I love it because I desire to be changed from the inside out (the heart!) Until next time…grab this one!

Thanks for reading! Like, comment, or share from my Facebook Fan Page and “Like” it while you’re there ( http://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye). Also feel absolutely free to leave a comment here! I’d love to get your feedback! I pray that God will continue to enlighten you to live for Him through His word in your daily life. Stay tuned for new blog posts every Monday at 7:30am on Inside Out with Courtnaye @  www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org.  Also, follow me on Twitter by inoutwcourtnaye. Thanks again![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]