The idea of accountability is not something for which most people love to volunteer. Some people are naturally accountable to feedback, listen earnestly and decipher how they can improve based on if the feedback was constructive or not. Other people, however, get very defensive when they receive feedback; they make excuses, and find other people to blame. I can tell you that my favorite people to lead are those who are accountable. They have a positive attitude and own up to their mistakes.
Self-reflection, vulnerability and seeking input from those you trust is important.
Aaron was a big source of help and input to Moses. God allowed Aaron to join Moses after Moses complained about not being a good speaker (Ex. 4:14). Aaron was side by side with Moses through all the miracles and the exodus of the Israelites. Aaron was also the first high priest of Israel. Despite Aaron’s strengths, he had two major flaws; he gave in to peer pressure, and he was not accountable to his actions when he built a golden calf for the Israelites. Aaron was weak; he feared what man thought of him more than God. He gave in and probably prepared his excuse ahead of time for when Moses came back.
Aaron blamed how evil the people are, not how evil his actions were. He tried to diminish his hand in the matter when he stated that “I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and then I threw it into the fire, and this calf came out” (Ex. 32:24)! I’ve heard some poor excuses from my kids before, but this is just laughable. The better response would have been confession of his sin, asking for forgiveness and pleading with God on behalf of the people. Instead, what happened as a result was that about 3,000 people died that day (Ex. 32:28).
Athlete Wes Fessler once said, “Good men are bound by conscience and liberated by accountability.” Holding yourself responsible for your actions may be difficult, but it is freeing. The weight of the guilt and blame can only be pushed aside or pushed to someone else for so long until it comes crashing back at you.
So what does accountability look like when it comes to following God? My guest on this episode of Everyday Discernment on the Charisma Podcast Network is Air Force veteran and 3-time Super Bowl Champion Chad Hennings. He knows what it is like to have a wingman in the Air Force and how important it is. He discusses how we all need a “wingman” or a tribe in our walk with Christ. We need a core group of people we can be vulnerable and accountable with. It’s OK to not have it all together. {eoa}
Tim Ferrara has grown up in the church and has held various leadership positions during his adult years, including being an elder and chairman of the board of directors. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Arizona State University along with an MBA from University of Phoenix. He has had a career in business management for over 20 years and has worked as faculty for two different colleges. Tim is currently the executive pastor at LifePoint Church in Arizona. Tim started the ministry of Discerning Dad as a way to write and encourage Christians to grow in discernment. He has a book called Everyday Discernment: The Importance of Spirit-Led Decision Making as well as multiple YouVersion Plans. Tim lives with his wife, Jamie, and their two children in Arizona.
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