Do you have a wise, tough accountability partner? (104-4)

Wise leaders willingly sign up to be accountable and welcome accountability partners. Read 2 Kings 5:15-27.

Elisha turned down the money and gifts Naaman the Syrian had offered to him for the miracle of curing his leprosy. Gripped by greed, Elisha’s servant Gehazi went after Naaman and lied to him stating that his master had some new prophets arrive and requested a portion of what Naaman was willing to pay. When Elisha confronted his servant, he foolishly lied again hoping to veil his deed from the spirit of the prophet. Gehazi had rationalized his disobedience and failed to consider the possible consequences of his actions.

A leader’s ability to deceive themselves is virtually boundless; that’s why accountability is so necessary. Without submitting to the counsel of others, we can rationalize almost anything, especially if what we’re doing involves a series of small compromises. Accountability is not needed so much to protect us from others but from ourselves.

Leaders who say they are accountable only to God fail to realize the spheres of human authority that God has established for our good. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Wise leaders need others to ask them difficult questions. Wise leaders also recognize that accountability is only as good as the information upon which it was based and without full disclosure accountability is a waste of time.

In what areas of your leadership life do you sense the greatest need for accountability? Do you have an accountability partner, someone you trust, with whom you can be totally honest and who is willing to ask you the tough questions about various areas of your life?