Why do people run away from being accountable?
Greetings to you, dear friends! Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! We have been talking about accountability as the thing that helps us to become more responsible, stable and reliable people; it helps us to become the people that God and people can rely on. But why do people run away from being accountable?
There are several reasons why people avoid accountability. Today let’s talk about some of them.
- Fear of rejection. Many people are afraid of others rejecting or despising them when they find out all the truth. Biblical accountability is fulfilment of the law of Christ which tells us to express our care for the others in the spirit of humility:
«Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ» (Galatians, 6:1-2).
- Many people fear that others may try to control them through accountability. I must note that in reality there is such a thing as negative control. It limits a person and his potential. But besides the negative control, there is also a positive control that motivates to good words and effective life. In fact, accountability represents such a control that helps a person persevere till the end, overcome his laziness and other faults and focus on his life mission.
- Lack of trust towards people. Many people are not able to share their pain or inner struggles with others because they want to keep private things private. But I must note that accountability does not imply you sharing your heart with anybody and everybody. There should be some people in your life that you are totally open to because you know that they are spiritually mature, totally trustworthy and they love you. Today I urge you to pray and ask God to show you that person or those people that you can totally trust and be accountable to. If Jesus had twelve partners He had the relationships of accountability with, then every one of us needs to have at least one or two believers we can have such relationships.
- Many people are afraid of negative emotions and reactions from others.
When we talk about accountability, we do not mean intimidation, intrusion into one’s private life, unbearable burdens or submitting to the whims of others. Biblical accountability is not manipulation; it is a great blessing for all parts involved if it is executed correctly.
All people, Christian leaders included, need to be accountable to someone in all of the areas of their life and relationships. Accountability is not something that only new believers need. It is a powerful instrument that helps people enter the fullness of God and rise on the heights God has prepared for them.
I pray for God to reveal to you the power of accountability and show you the people He has sent into your life as helpers and overseers of your soul. God desires to lift you up high!
We will continue tomorrow!
I wish you God’s abundant blessings!
Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
