What is Accountability?

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Sheltie ... I'm impersonating some of our friends ... chill.

lol, sorry I'm dense... you threw me for a loop when you asked that! I assumed I had crossed some invisible line or something.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by Michlow

From a different thread:

Any thoughts?

Alcoholics Anonymous members often form informal accountability groups or partnerings. It is done along the lines of setting a thief to catch a thief, meaning that a lying alcoholic isn't going to be fooled by another lying alcoholic when the direct question is asked, 'did you take a drink this week?'

Accountability in the sense often considered by Pentecostal believers is somewhat similar, in that you agree to be honest to your accountability partners, and you meet regularly and interrogate each other about sin, attitude, or whatever it is you're struggling with.

Weight watchers does a form of this too, come to think of it.

In other Pentecostal circles, accountability means accepting any counsel to change. Sometimes it can even mean mindless obedience to unsolicited advice.

You probably have the spectrum of Pentecostal notions represented here, but in my opinion anybody intelligent enough to operate a computer will be much better served by the first arrangement.

Basically, you find a person or people that you know and trust, whose walk with God you find worthy of emulation, and you ask them to check you. At the same time, you agree to answer their questions truthfully, in the agreed-upon arenas of accountability. Maybe you use this person or group as a sounding board for your ideas regarding important life decisions. You aren't obligated to take anybody's advice, but a multitude of counselors are likely to catch something you've missed, or to have already gone through what you're about to.

It is an excellent idea, but it shouldn't replace your relationship with God.

[LaVonne]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

Alcoholics Anonymous members often form informal accountability groups or partnerings. It is done along the lines of setting a thief to catch a thief, meaning that a lying alcoholic isn't going to be fooled by another lying alcoholic when the direct question is asked, 'did you take a drink this week?'

Accountability in the sense often considered by Pentecostal believers is somewhat similar, in that you agree to be honest to your accountability partners, and you meet regularly and interrogate each other about sin, attitude, or whatever it is you're struggling with.

Weight watchers does a form of this too, come to think of it.

In other Pentecostal circles, accountability means accepting any counsel to change. Sometimes it can even mean mindless obedience to unsolicited advice.

You probably have the spectrum of Pentecostal notions represented here, but in my opinion anybody intelligent enough to operate a computer will be much better served by the first arrangement.

Basically, you find a person or people that you know and trust, whose walk with God you find worthy of emulation, and you ask them to check you. At the same time, you agree to answer their questions truthfully, in the agreed-upon arenas of accountability. Maybe you use this person or group as a sounding board for your ideas regarding important life decisions. You aren't obligated to take anybody's advice, but a multitude of counselors are likely to catch something you've missed, or to have already gone through what you're about to.

It is an excellent idea, but it shouldn't replace your relationship with God.

Excellent post!

Mich, it is wise to have someone that you are accountable to. I know many Evangelists, while they do not have a pastor, have someone in their life that they are accountable to as a pastor might be. It's really a safe-guard. I've been seriously considering asking my pastor's wife to be this for me...I respect her so much and would like her to mentor me. We all can use room for improvement.

[RevDWW]

Debits to the left and credits to the right.....................Oh I guess that Accounting

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

Alcoholics Anonymous members often form informal accountability groups or partnerings. It is done along the lines of setting a thief to catch a thief, meaning that a lying alcoholic isn't going to be fooled by another lying alcoholic when the direct question is asked, 'did you take a drink this week?'

Accountability in the sense often considered by Pentecostal believers is somewhat similar, in that you agree to be honest to your accountability partners, and you meet regularly and interrogate each other about sin, attitude, or whatever it is you're struggling with.

Weight watchers does a form of this too, come to think of it.

This accountability I can deal with, and in fact actively seek out.

In other Pentecostal circles, accountability means accepting any counsel to change. Sometimes it can even mean mindless obedience to unsolicited advice.

You probably have the spectrum of Pentecostal notions represented here, but in my opinion anybody intelligent enough to operate a computer will be much better served by the first arrangement.

Exactly it is the second definition that has given me much grief, especially the bolded part. I am just too stubborn and "rebellious" to blindly follow anyone.

Basically, you find a person or people that you know and trust, whose walk with God you find worthy of emulation, and you ask them to check you. At the same time, you agree to answer their questions truthfully, in the agreed-upon arenas of accountability. Maybe you use this person or group as a sounding board for your ideas regarding important life decisions. You aren't obligated to take anybody's advice, but a multitude of counselors are likely to catch something you've missed, or to have already gone through what you're about to.

It is an excellent idea, but it shouldn't replace your relationship with God.

Thank you very much for your informative post!