An accountability partner is a person who is committed to hearing out what's happening in your life to know if you need encouragement, or rebuke, or correction, or prayer. These people are very crucial if we want to grow as a Christian, because they act both as policemen who check if we're doing things contrary to what God wants, or as medical workers who check if we are spiritually healthy or not, and bombard us with prayers and encouragements.

Having even just one of these people can be very helpful to you. Not convinced? Here are some reasons why having an accountability partner matters.

1. We can't judge ourselves properly

People often have a problem judging themselves correctly. Admit it – when you try to evaluate yourself, are you strong and harsh against your mistakes or perhaps even consoling yourself when you do wrong? These accountability partners would be more objective in dealing with you, and would likely line your life up against God's standards if you're not faring well.

Paul gave an example in 2 Corinthians 10:12, referring to some false teachers: "Oh, don't worry; we wouldn't dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!"

2. They help us stay on the right track

These accountability partners, if we are totally honest with them, would help us see what's wrong with us and would remind us of what God has said regarding many things. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 beautifully explains this:

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

3. They prevent us from falling into sin

Accountability partners can help us stay away from sinning through many ways. For some, having someone to share a burden helps lessen the urge to do wrong. For others, having an accountability partner makes them fear sinning, because these sins no matter how tightly hidden could be discovered by their accountability partner.

For their part, accountability partners can help by praying for their friends, and watching out for them when they know that their friends have a tendency to do wrong things.

Pray for an accountability partner

Do you have an accountability partner? Pray for one of the same sex of course. If you're married to a spouse who fears the Lord, it's even better if you make your spouse your accountability partner.