Asking the hard questions.

Accountability is so important. As Christians, we know that we will be tempted by Satan to do what is wrong and not honoring to God. Sin caused our separation from God. Even though Paul tells us in Romans 8:1 “there is…no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” we will still be tempted and still face trials. Sin can completely destroy an individual’s reputation and example as a Christ follower. It is to this end that we must hold one another accountable in all we do.

In 1738, theologian John Wesley drafted four questions to be asked of every small group meeting he had. These questions were:

1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?
2. What temptations have you met?
3. How were you delivered?
4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which, you doubt whether it be sin or not?

I LOVE THESE QUESTIONS!

I need to be asked these questions.

I need to ask these questions of others.

Accountability is important for all believers. We need to hold one another honest and accountable. The problems that surface in the Church come about as a result of a lack of accountability. We internalize our struggles, our trials, and our temptations. We hide them inside only creating more room for them to grow. I know this to be true in my own life. It is easy for me to not share my struggles and try to rid them all on my own. We have to understand that this doesn’t work. We need to have others that will keep us accountable for the actions and choices we make. A weed needs to be cut at the first sign of life. It’s not enough just to trim it down, but rather we MUST dig up the root. The tough thing is that we often want to keep the root. While we know sin is wrong, we are content with cutting parts of it so long as we are able to keep some of it. Accountability is huge. We need other believers to ask us the hard questions. Without them, are weeds will continue to grow.