Accountability

[Abing]

Accountability has been a very interesting subject to me for the last few days. I'm just starting to realize now how valuable it is, especially for people who are struggling, breaking an addiction specifically and for many other matters that I may not know yet or have not experienced. Does anyone here have anything to share about how accountability played a major part in their lives in being free, or helping someone break free from something. It would be great to hear your experiences in this area, I think it can help us (or just me) mature in some way.

 

[Willie-T]

Unfortunately, it's just a band aid.

 

[Dino246]

Willie, perhaps you could elaborate?

 

[Willie-T]

Willie, perhaps you could elaborate?

Although it might be a convenient help for a short while, just like a band aid, it is only a very temporary aid while real medicine actually does the curing.

You need soul healing, not just someone to slap your hands when they reach for what they shouldn't.

 

[blondieindahouse]

Christ is indeed the one who sets you free my friend. Addiction is a spiritual and also a physical thing. God has provided all kinds of tools avail to help with addiction as well. It is good to be part of a support group where you are encouraged,supported, and held accountable by others who walk with Christ and have come through what you are going through.You in turn can hold others accountable when you have come to a certain place where you are able to hold others accountable. It is a process to being strong in Christ and in being free from addictions! God wants you to have victory over your flesh! Churches wouldnt have all kinds of support groups if they were a "band aid " . Use whatever is avail to you. Follow Christ but also empower yourself with a good support group and people who you can call when your flesh is feeling weak.
[h=1] Romans 8:28
[/h] [SUP]28 [/SUP]And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

[blondieindahouse]

Although it might be a convenient help for a short while, just like a band aid, it is only a very temporary aid while real medicine actually does the curing.
You need soul healing, not just someone to slap your hands when they reach for what they shouldn't.

You give out terrible advice. Its not a band aid. You obviously know jack squat about addiction.

 

[Abing]

I may have not made my point clear by saying that accountability plays a 'major' part in being free. My mistake. I am in, no away, belittling the power of Christ by saying that (heaven forbid!). There is, absolutely, nothing man can do without Jesus, for what is man's life? A vapor in the wind. The power to break free from any chain, completely belongs to Christ, that no man can boast.

My point here is that, too many times, I've seen with my own eyes, people trying to break free from addiction, in isolation. This just doesn't work. So I ask what your stories or opinions are about this. Thank you.

 

[blondieindahouse]

I can surely attest that we all need support. Isolation is a tool of the enemy for he has us separated from others and we are not as strong as we would be in numbers! We are the body of Christ together!
Addictions come in many forms. Which,btw gluttons of food seems to be most prevalent in the christian community but it is never talked about! Ha!!
Anyways, here are just a few scriptures on what God has to say about isolation! God bless you

[h=3]Proverbs 18:1
[/h][h=3][/h][h=3] [/h] Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

[h=3] Hebrews 10:25
[/h]
[h=3][/h][h=3] [/h] Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

[h=3] 1 Corinthians 12:14
[/h]
[h=3][/h][h=3] [/h] For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

 

[atwhatcost]

Accountability has been a very interesting subject to me for the last few days. I'm just starting to realize now how valuable it is, especially for people who are struggling, breaking an addiction specifically and for many other matters that I may not know yet or have not experienced. Does anyone here have anything to share about how accountability played a major part in their lives in being free, or helping someone break free from something. It would be great to hear your experiences in this area, I think it can help us (or just me) mature in some way.

No, but I'm about to give you a back-at-you. I don't get what it even means, but I'm about to start my practice week to quit smoking on Monday and you said it's something about breaking addictions, and God's got to help me with this one, so seriously? What is it and what are you getting about it?

(And why do I keep thinking you're a Hobbit, but that's a different story. lol)

 

[atwhatcost]

You give out terrible advice. Its not a band aid. You obviously know jack squat about addiction.

Here's one for you. I went through drug rehab when I was young. I ended up working for them, so I've seen it through both sides. I have an addictive personality, so sometimes I draw up other addictions and have to turn from them. So, you can't tell me I don't know jack about addictions.

BUT, after reading what Willie said and then what you said? I'm inclined to agree with Willie. Rehab helped me look at my problems and deal with them. (Here's an old ditty: Drugs are not the problem. Drugs are a symptom of the problem). Willie's right. Slapping my hand and facing others three times a week didn't stop me from doing drugs. God did. I went through rehab because God already convinced me to quit the drugs. I was also the only one in my group to make it through. None of them had God working through them.

Honestly, if accountability is just talking to group, it is merely a hand slap. Know what I do when someone slaps my hand? Slap back while grabbing what I wanted all along with the other hand.

So, who knows squat here? You've got unadulterated ego going for you, and that's not said from just this post. You tend to always think you have the right answer for every occasion, when most of your answers are opposed/opposite from to the Bible. Kind of worthless if you don't seek God before you dole out advice.

 

[atwhatcost]

I may have not made my point clear by saying that accountability plays a 'major' part in being free. My mistake. I am in, no away, belittling the power of Christ by saying that (heaven forbid!). There is, absolutely, nothing man can do without Jesus, for what is man's life? A vapor in the wind. The power to break free from any chain, completely belongs to Christ, that no man can boast.

My point here is that, too many times, I've seen with my own eyes, people trying to break free from addiction, in isolation. This just doesn't work. So I ask what your stories or opinions are about this. Thank you.

You're right. It would be a true test of will power to quit an addiction in isolation. I'm not. God is with me. He is my strength and my ability.

As for accountability, not like I haven't told a Christian community I'm going to quit smoking on Labor Day. Is that accountability? I've done that on purpose. I can't go off and say I will and then when someone asks, say, "Oh, never mind. I changed my mind."

Hubby knows too. He thinks I'm nuts, but he smokes too and can actually cut back to once ever 1.5 hours. I have no problems with him smoking. I'm pretty impressed he can hold out so long.I can't. I have an addictive personality, so I'm all in or all out.I don't have strength to cut back. (Already tried. lol)

 

[Oncefallen]

You give out terrible advice. Its not a band aid. You obviously know jack squat about addiction.

The humorous thing is that Wilie probably knows more about addiction than most users of CC by far. He's right in that accountability without dealing with the CAUSE of the addiction will only work for a short time frame in most situations. I'll post more at length later (if I remember to) but I (as a person who struggled with addiction) have to agree with him.