No Matter the Fall

When I was younger the best thing a boss ever did for me was hold me accountable. I thought he was mean, cruel even, and he got on my nerves. It took years for me to realize he was actually helping me become more responsible, but I now think of him often and I am grateful for him. After that job my life was filled with people that told me what I wanted to hear and kept me comfortable in my sin. It did not matter to them where these roads would take me and the fall that would ensue due to having bared no previous consequences for my actions or by having no accountability. Sure those same friends and family who smiled in my face, talked about me and gossiped behind my back about the choices I was making, which is a whole other conversation. But, no one loved me enough to tell me the truth or warn me of the coming dangerous that laid ahead of me for my decisions.

When my kids were getting into their teen years, I became frustrated at their lack of responsibility. The Lord said, “If you want them to be more responsible, give them more responsibility.” As I have put more responsibility on them they have become more and more responsible. As I’ve held them more accountable, they’ve become more accountable. We cannot expect kids or people to be responsible when we refuse to let them bare the weight of their responsibilities & hold them accountable.

If you think holding someone responsible or accountable is harsh or mean, I hear the Lord saying, “You're dealing with a heart issue.”

Someone has probably hurt you & your reason for receiving correction in a harsh way sometimes has more to do with you than it does them (not always, but sometimes). Seeing someone hold someone accountable or responsible in this negative way can also cause us to be enablers, and excuse ungodly behaviors that we should be bringing correction to in our positions of authority or in our place in their lives. We need to realize that we have unresolved issues that are fueling a mindset that is standing in opposition to Gods will and way, because making excuses for sin only allows demonic mindsets and behaviors to remain. When we have been called to hold a standard of truth that delivers and frees people so that they can become all that God created them to be, because love holds people responsible because they love them and because they want what's best for them.

He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him (1 King 16:31 NIV).

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:13-15 NIV).

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV)

Now just like with anything, people can be cruel and harsh and call that tough love. But, love is not cruel or harsh. Love is kind & Love is patient. It is not easily angered (doesn’t mean we don’t get angry), just means we are not quick tempered & respond out of it. So we must remember to display all attributes of love along with holding them responsible. We must also not mistake or misconstrued firmness as harshness, because there is an important difference. Firmness is standing firm as we are instructed to in Gods word, and means that we are unwilling to move or compromise. Harshness is being cruel and abusive, taking out ones frustrations on you, instead of standing firm against a behavior or a demonic & unruly mindset.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the people in our lives that hold us accountable and make us better. Please help us to see the heart behind those people when they just truly just want what's best for us. Help us to forgive those who have used their authority over us to be abusive, forgive us if we have done that, and help heal us from the wounds that have affected the way we view things, so that we can see clearer. In Jesus name we pray!

Have you been saved?

If you are someone who has not been saved. I would like to ask you, do you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead? If you believe that then declare openly with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. If you do these things, then you are, in fact, saved, and I would like to welcome you to the body of Christ.

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

Have you been Holy Spirit Filled?

If you would like to receive power in your walk with God, welcome the Holy Spirit into your life today.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”