Accountability is often associated with a place to be helped with some kind of problem or addiction such as drinking, drugs, smoking, pornography, or some other recovery issue. Yes, this is can be a principle venue; however, the emphasis should be our spiritual growth which infuses our thinking and behaviors and helps in overcoming addictions. It is not about just overcoming addictions; it is being overcome with Christ as Lord of our lives. We can always wrestle with our temptations through our own efforts, but we might as well be Jacob wrestling with God (Gen. 32). We will succeed as long as God allows and as long as Satan allows. Thus, we must flee from him to be in Him (James 4:7-10)!

Effective accountability has the emphasis on building quality and deep relationships that will help us with the following (1 Thess. 5:14 Col. 3:16 Heb. 3:13 Prov. 25:12; 27:17):

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

· Adhering ourselves to God's Word and call!

· Learning to commune with God more deeply so we can respond to His precepts more rapidly and thoroughly.

· Prayer that is not just about our personal needs but also with the needs of others!

· Reigniting our passion for Christ!

· Becoming teachable, and our thinking and behaviors examined!

· Being willing to recognize sin both in our lives and in the lives of others, too!

· Being willing to learn about ourselves!

· Being willing to have healing in our lives!

· Being willing to see the needs of others!

· Being willing to overcome, and to be on guard concerning weaknesses and strengths.

· Being able to trust, share, and commune with another person in depth.

· Being willing to overcome issues that are bad for us.

· Knowing that we need others to keep us on track!

· A willingness to be challenged, convicted, molded, and sharpened so we can change and grow.

· Help to develop better and deeper fellowship and unity with others!

· A platform to be transformed and renewed in Christ!

· Becoming more sensitive and discerning!

· Learning to develop the fruit of the Spirit and exercise it.

· Being willing to confess and hear others in love and confidentiality-without judgment.

· Being encouraged and encouraging others!

· Developing godly, Christ-like character!

· Learning to take risks, be vulnerable, and overcome rejection and betrayal.

· Learning that God has called us to be involved in the lives of others and that we are not to be lone ranger Christians!

· Learning that we are to be patient, because accountability is built over time!

· Learning that deep connections do not just happen between services of the church; we have to work at them in community.

· Learning that we are at our best when we are being real and authentic.

· Learning about Christ's redemption and our ability to change.

· Learning we can be used by God to be change agents in the lives of others.

· Learning that relationships require effort and commitment.

· Developing harmony with others so we can communicate, and being transparent without being defensive.

· Developing maturity and spiritual growth!

· Leaning to be humble and wise!

· Allowing the work of the Holy Spirit within us and being used by Him in the lives of others as well!

· The ability to bust the noise of our will and desires, as we need a godly perspective we can hear over that noise!

· A reminder that God is in control, even in times of dire stress and confusion!

· Trusting in God and keeping His standards because they are best for us; there is no better way than His Way!

· Understanding that accountability takes place in the crucible (a refractory made of porcelain, used for melting and purifying materials such as gold at high temperatures, that also refers to the confluence of powerful influences such as intellectual, social, economic, or political) of community with other growing Christians!

· Knowing we need accountability for our support, faith development, and growth!

· Knowing that accountability takes our initiative, commitment, and continuance in it!

· We have no need to hide our sins from those who are entrusted to help us deal with them.

Leading a lawless, indifferent, irreverent life while having a faith that is just fire insurance from Hell may save you-may; however, you will reap dire consequences for this mindset (Deut. 18:15; Matt. 22:13-14; 23;1 Cor. 10:11-13; 2 Cor. 5:11)!

God designed the church as the body of Christ. Thus, we are called to utility and cooperation so we can be there for one another in times of fun as well as stress. We are called to encourage and equip as well as hold each other responsible to the commitment we have made in Christ as Lord.

But exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13