Friday, November 19, 2010

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY- Accountable

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: accountable

What does the word accountable mean to you?

Do you think being accountable to God is different than being accountable to people? Why or why not?


Let me know what you think!!


“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

14 comments:

  1. I think that being accountable to God is different than being accountable to people.
    Basically, His account is the only one that really matters.

    I do like to think that brothers and sisters in Christ can help us hold ourselves accountable, but that accountability is still to God and not to them.

    What does it mean to me? It means that I am answerable to him. When He reckons (wasn't that a flaming word recently?) my account and weighs me in the balance, I don't want to be found wanting.

    Can't wait to read what others have to say.

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  2. Accountable - taking responsibility for your actions and admitting your short comings, sins, etc.

    I think accountable with God and people are about the same. We definitely need to be accountable to God and confess our sins and short comings, but I also think we need to do the same with each other. We are all works in progress as I say over and over again and I think if we can be accountable in our actions, it is going to help our walk with the Lord so much better and go deeper. Make sense?

    Raining here today, have a good weekend!

    betty

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  3. I agree with Debbie. Being accountable to
    God is what really matters. I couldn't have
    said it any better than she did.

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  4. Hi Sharon -

    I believe that to be accountable means, in part, that no man is an island. We are all accountable, first of all to GOD, and we need to also be accountable to others. GOD created us for, among other things, relationships...

    We cannot thrive spiritually or otherwise without accountabilties....checks and balances...

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  5. short and sweet like you...aww I like that. Accountable....not sure what it means. have to thing on that.

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  6. Accountable - means the same - but it is much more of a committment to God then it is to others. It is a choice to do what you promised. A decision.

    sandie

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  7. Hi Sharon -

    In case you are inclined, today is 7 UPS - QUIZUPS on my blog.

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  8. Debbie - You could have written a post for me on this thought today! Love the synonym, answerable. It's like when the teacher (!!) asks you a question, you better be ready with an answer. So, God keeps the accounts, and we need to answer to Him for what we've been doing with what He's given us! Reckon that about sums it up...(flaming word - LOL!)

    Betty - You've brought up two aspects of accountability that I think are crucial - taking responsibility and admitting when we're in the wrong. One of my pet peeves is people who love to play the "blame game." I think we come by that tendency honestly. Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent. I think David got it right: "Against you, and you alone, have I sinned..." (Psalm 51:4) He got the sinner right - himself - and he got the One he had to answer to right - God. Being accountable deepens our faith - couldn't agree more! You made PERFECT sense!

    Sandy - Being accountable to God is all that matters, yes. And also, being accountable to God also makes us more accountable to others, don't you think?

    Sandra - Yes, good point. God made us for relationships. And without some kind of relational accountability, checks and balances as you say, our relationships will go sideways. If we are accountable to God first, and we keep our consciences clear on that matter, the rest falls into place. (P.S. I went over and left a comment on your latest post, and I did 7-ups, too - those are TOUGH, Sandra!!)

    Sarah - I've got to ponder this one, too. Everyone's comments are a really good place to start! Liked that "short and sweet" comment, huh? I know I'm short, and I'm trying to be sweet, at least MOST of the time!!

    Sandie - Oh, I like what you added to the concept of accountability. It is a COMMITMENT, a DECISION. This was the best: IT IS A CHOICE TO DO WHAT YOU PROMISED. That was really good, Sandie! A perfect summation of what I think the word accountable means. Thanks for sharing that wisdom of yours!

    Here's the dictionary definition: "An obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions - answerable, responsible."

    I remember taking an accounting class in college. And if you couldn't make things "add up," then your work was wrong. So, I want my "accounting" of my life to agree with God's. I want things to "add up." So Lord, teach us all to see our lives in their proper perspective - and let us know when things don't match up to your tally!

    GOD BLESS!

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  9. Thanks Sharon,
    What comes to mind when I think of accountability is the following:

    Prov. 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

    James 5:16, "Therefore, confess your sins to each other..."

    Gal. 6:1-2 "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch youreself or you, or you also may be tempted. Carry each others burdens..."

    Rom. 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

    These verses speak to me about being accountable to one another just as 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness" and like passages speak to me of our accoutability to God.

    Beverly

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  10. Beverly - Thank you so much for adding just the PERFECT Scripture references to our discussion of accountability. How wonderful of you to share that with us. Don't you just love how God's Word has the absolute truth for every situation, every circumstance, every thought or idea that comes up in our lives? He is so very WISE!

    GOD BLESS!

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  11. Hi Sharon -

    It's me again.

    I read your summary after the various comments.
    Your last paragraph, in particular, ROCKS, -"accounting," "add up," "tally."

    Yes, Lord, please...

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  12. In terms of consequences, accountability to God is different because He is all knowing with just the perfect amount of grace as well as justice for my actions! Other relationships only have a piece of the truth.

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  13. Hi Sharon,

    This word really fanned today's flame. Accountable stipulates that I am answerable to a higher authority than myself. This is true in both the natural and the spiritual.

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

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  14. Sandra - Hi, Me Again!! I'm glad you liked the added comments. Yes, Lord - please help us "tally" correctly.

    Mary - You have added yet more important thoughts to the discussion of this word. I love how you pointed out that God is omniscient - He KNOWS everything - so being accountable is more about US than Him. We're not telling Him anything He doesn't know. BUT, we are acknowledging our shortcomings, and laying them at His feet. We are agreeing to His standard of perfection. And then, you very insightfully added two important things - God's perfect amount of grace and justice. These sit in perfect balance when my actions are weighed.

    MTJ - Yes! There was a great response to this, and I was so delighted at all the comments. I learn so much on Fridays! Higher authority - that is a key ingredient. In some way your comment made me think of this verse: "...give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." (Mark 12:17). In the natural, we owe accountability to the authority of government and the like. In the spiritual, we owe accountability to God. God is the highest authority - the final Word on our actions.

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)