Accountability has gotten a bad rap. It is easy to see why, I guess. When it comes to battling against sin, and especially those stubborn, addictive sins, accountability relationships are sometimes held up as a cure-all, a near guarantee of success. Yet often they end up being a means of commiseration more than challenge, a time when Christians sit around feeling sorry for one another rather than full-on battling against sin. Yet I believe the Bible promotes and even demands accountability relationships for Christians who want to battle hard against a dogged sin. Paul writes, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). Accountability is a specific–and if done right, helpful–form of bearing one another’s burdens. However, for accountability to be successful, it must be done well. In his book Finally Free, Heath Lambert includes some helpful principles about effective accountability. He writes in the context of battling against pornography, but the points he makes are equally applicable to any sin. Here are seven principles for effective accountability; each is further explained by showing what effective accountability is and is not. Accountability Is… Accountability Is Not… 1. Effective accountability does not rely exclusively on accountability. …one weapon among many. …the only weapon in the fight against sin. 2. Effective accountability is involved early rather than late. …calling out for help in … Continue reading How to Make Accountability Work