ACCOUNT FOR YOURSELF

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Today we begin a short study on the concept of biblical accountability. We begin where all accountability must begin, taking account for yourself. 

Culpability

We cannot pretend to offer guidance and encouragement to others who are in a place of battle or struggle with their own sinful desires and action until we have honestly examined ourselves and come to grips with our own culpability. 

In the passage that follows we hear a clear teaching on the reality of our own personal responsibility for the sin in our lives. If we want to live in a place of integrity and accountability in this life, we must start here:

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

(James 1:13-18 NIV11)

Own Your Mess

One of the most freeing and life-giving moments in my walk with God was when I stopped trying to blame other people for my mess. When I stopped expecting others to protect me or lead me into acts of righteousness and obedience to God and I made the choice to own my choices completely, I became a spiritual adult. 

Children love to point fingers at others when they get caught doing something wrong. When we allow someone else to be morally responsible for us, we live as spiritual children. While this might be a necessary step in our development as children of God, it is a stage that we must move through. 

Your own evil desires

A huge part of this step of spiritual development is agreeing with this teaching in James. Yes there is an enemy of the saints that seeks to tempt us and lead us away from a life of purity and obedience to God. Yes, the enemy seeks to devour us and yes, sin crouches at your door looking to attack you and eat you, but ultimately, no matter the enemy we face, we choose sin or we choose obedience. When we own that, we are set free from the power of Satan. When we look to the Lord and deal with our lust, our envy, and our gossip by owning it before the Lord, we find freedom and healing. 

Before

Before we can find ourselves an accountability partner or a small group with whom we will be open and honest about our struggles and temptations, we must take the first real step toward accountability. We need to read over this passage from James carefully and make sure that we believe it to be true and we must believe that it absolutely applies to us. 

Don’t be deceived

Stop allowing the enemy to lead you down the slippery slope of immaturity as we blame others for what is rightfully ours. When the Lord confronted Adam and Eve concerning their sin, they blamed and pushed off responsibility before God. This is a weakness that must be put to death. 

Do not allow anyone or anything to claim what belongs to you. If you are responsible for your own evil desires that led you to take action and step into sin, own it. To do otherwise is to be deceived and to continue to live in a state of weakness and immaturity. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I own my mess today. I have been playing the blame game for too long and I am ready to stand up and be counted. I want to move away from these sinful choices that have plagued me for too long and I know that I need to start here with you. Thank you for showing me grace as you have patiently waited on me to own my mess before you. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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