Fruit of the Spirit Pt. 3 - Week 2, Day 3

Day 3
Get Accountable

Here is where it gets tough. Having a lack of self-control can be embarrassing. Who wants to admit that they have a problem with pornography? Who wants to admit that our mouth is out of control and that no one believes a word that comes out of your mouth? Who wants to realize that the anger you have inside is consuming you and changing your personality.

Let’s face facts. We don’t like to admit when we need help. We got ourselves in this mess, and we will get ourselves out of this mess. You can’t count on anyone except yourself. Those sound good, but you and I both know those phrases never work out to our benefit. The truth of the matter is that the sin is just too strong, and even though what we are doing is embarrassing, the best thing we can do is admit our sin to a trusted friend or adult; in doing that, we will find that we are not in this alone.

Do you think you are the only one facing this weakness every day? I can promise you that plenty of kids you go to school with are battling the same things you are fighting every day. Satan wants you to believe that no one will understand, that no one is going through the same stuff you are going through, but that is a lie straight from the pit of hell. So if you are wrestling with sin and doing it by yourself, please tell somebody else.

One of the ways that God has designed for us to experience His power, one of the ways He releases His power to us, is when we lean on others. One of the reasons that groups like alcoholics anonymous and other 12-step groups have been so effective for so many lives is that their principles are rooted in scripture. The principles are rooted in the life of Jesus.

In 12-step groups, people find what’s called a sponsor. Not just someone who sympathizes with their issue, not just someone who loves them and prays for them, but someone who has been there personally. They talk honestly with each other about who they are.

This is one of many people's values in a small group because we don’t want anybody to stand alone. So they have found safe relationships, and they assist each other, and they help each other.

You say, “Ok, Tim. Let’s say I get an accountability partner. What questions would they ask me?” That is simple. Write out four questions that you hope no one would ever ask you about concerning your weakness, and hand those questions to your accountability partner and ask him to ask you those questions every week. By the way, add a fifth question. That question is, “Have I lied about any of the previous four questions, or have I intentionally left out anything?”

It’s always easier to get in than get out. It is always easier to get into debt than get out of debt. It’s always easier to get into a relationship than get out of the relationship. It’s always easier to get out of control than be in control. It’s time to suit up for battle. It’s time the giant gets what is coming to him.

Time Out:

Write out the four questions you don’t want anyone to ask you about your weakness.

Who are you going to ask to be your accountability partner? (I would recommend you ask one of your parents. I know it might be hard to tell them what your weakness is, but no one on the face of the earth loves you more and wants you to succeed. Just a thought, but that is what I would do!)