You Can Count On Me

You're about to read something I didn't originally write, but I posted it because I fully agree with every word.

 

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Ephesians 4:25

"Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." 

 

We talk about Accountability, but do we really practice it?

Even though we toss around the word accountability, we Christians do not truly practice or even understand how the Lord wants us to keep one another on track. We are afraid to say some tough things out of fear that we will hurt someone’s feelings, or that the hearer might become defensive or even hostile toward us. The sad truth is, those fears may be well-founded.

God’s word tells us that not only do we have a right, but we have an obligation to hold each other accountable for our actions, especially when we observe a fellow believer acting in a way that does not reflect God's will.

 

How does God speak to us today?

There is not enough space here to discuss the realities of God speaking to us. I am one who believes that He does. Don't get me wrong; I have never heard an audible voice or seen a burning bush, yet there have been times when I have known it was Him, making an impression on my heart to do or say a particular thing. God can speak to His people in different ways, including through His word. Second Timothy 3:16 tells us: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Other passages worth noting

Proverbs 12:15

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel."

Colossians 3:16 NIV

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

2 Timothy 4:2

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

Paul is telling Timothy to tell the believers what they NEED to hear, rather than what they WANT to hear. It is important to note that this verse does not apply only to Timothy, and it does not apply only to those in teaching positions in our churches. The warning in verse 3 tells us that our Christian friends may very well want to hear ear candy. In fact, some translations say that "they want their ears tickled." If you are a true friend, you will allow the Lord to speak some tough things when necessary, and you will not hold back for fear of losing that person’s friendship.

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Courtesy of middletree.net