A re-look at accountability

I want and need to be reminded often about accountability. I desire to learn from others, while striving to be a difference maker in others' lives. Over the weekend, my family and I had a great time visiting Amy's family in Florida. We enjoyed the brief "getaway" and can't wait to go back. However, there were a few "moments" where I was reminded of my sinful, selfish nature and of the work I still need to do. I didn't fall "off the wagon," but I wasn't happy how I felt when one of my "buttons" got pushed (not by Amy or my children).

My sister-in-law even brought me a devotional book and laughingly said that she and I both needed that day's message. I agreed. Dang it. :)  I had to repent and keep striving to overcome certain feelings I get when bothered or feel disrespected. Accountability is a key to that process. I wish I was further along in certain areas, but I am glad to at least be aware of the struggle and not run from it or deny it. That's evidence of growth for me, but I don't plan to stop there.

Dr. Mark Laaser has great insights and perspective about accountability that I want to re-share. I believe I shared it in an earlier blog post. His book, The 7 Principles of Highly Accountable Men is a must-read for every man (and woman) hoping to grow and mature, especially when it comes to purity.  Here's an overview of his book:

Principles of Accountability, Dr. Mark Laaser

1.     Accountability begins with brokenness, confession and repentance.

2.     Accountability requires your being able to talk about your feelings and needs.

3.     Accountability always requires a group of men or women, not just one person.

4.     Accountability means you must get rid of the garbage in your life.

5.     Prepare when you are strong for a time when you will be weak.

6.     Accountability means building and defending in equal measures.

7.    To change a negative behavior, you must do whatever it takes for as long as it takes.

Key Points of Accountability

Summarized by Jeff Fisher, www.porntopurity.com 

Going solo is deadly – We need one another, we need accountability, we need safe people we can share our struggles with, and we need a team of people to assist us.

Our deep needs must to be addressed in healthy ways – It’s easy to misinterpret our deep needs or try to meet them through addictive behaviors. The author features principles from his book The Seven Desires of Every Heart to help us learn what our core needs are and how to work on them.

We have to talk honestly about our junk – We won’t be able to work on our struggle and addictions if we don’t talk about them. We have to find others we can talk to and risk sharing the weaker parts of our lives

There is much to unlearn and heal from – God will use His Word and other men to show us areas that need change. We have core beliefs that are not godly. We hold onto shame that must be released. We have wrong goals or wrong ways of achieving goals that must be corrected.