It is not un-Christian to hold someone or an organisation accountable when they have stepped out of line.
What is un-Christian is to remain offended when claiming to have forgiven. (Read my devotional ‘The psychology of forgiveness’ on YouVersion to work through how to forgive even when the memories are so salient).
Many Christians are busy keeping a record of wrongs, because they have allowed faux-forgiveness to negate accountability.
Accountability works when you use the right channels with the purpose of bringing about a change. Accountability works when the purpose is to educate and not condemn.
All of us will find ourselves in situations where we are angry about what has taken place. And I must remind you that it is not un-Christian to feel anger. Anger is a very real emotion that God gave us.
We have to be angry about things such as injustice, inequality, poverty, crime and persecution. What we don’t want to do in our anger, is sin. We don’t want to use our anger to withhold grace from others; but we should use our anger to fuel change.
Sometimes fuelling change requires turning over the tables (metaphorically oh😅) like Jesus did. Turning over the tables in our present day looks like bringing attention to the issue, and generating solutions.
Finally, some of us may be in situations where we cannot hold the other person accountable. In those situations you must pray, and ask the Lord Himself to hold them accountable.
Sometimes that will look like one of David’s ‘fire-bullet’ Prayers in the Psalms. Because guess what, it is okay to pray when you are angry. And yes, your words may not sound as graceful as they usually do but you are speaking to your Heavenly Father who understands the very emotions that you are so desperate to suppress. Talk to Him in whatever language you are able to use. He understands.
Ref: Ephesians 4:26, Mark 11:15–18, Psalm 55 and Matthew 16:23.
Kanayo is a Multi-award winning, Author and Senior leader in education whose experience ranges from being a Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Head of Psychology and Lead Practitioner. Kanayo believes that these 3 elements are the driving force of her ministry and career. D.I.G; Drive, Integrity and Grace.
Having a psychology degree provides me with a broad scope to experience many industries and fields of work. Although, my main aim is to continuously learn and also to share my knowledge and experience with others, within and beyond the constraints of the psychology community. Hence my pursuit to teach!
Hopefully, the readers of this blog will find that it is infested with a scope of psychological knowledge, with the intention of conveying psychology in such a way that it is interesting and understandable to those who aren’t studying it as a discipline. In addition, you will find that I heavily cover various topics aside of psychology such as, Christianity because I am a Christian. I draw both passions together, Psychology and Christianity, observing how they complement and sometimes clash! This blog is where ‘Psychology meets Scripture’.
As well as teaching Psychology, I know God has called me to do something far greater in this world. My passion is for His Word and to encourage others to read the Bible, fall in love with it, but most importantly…fall in love with The Author! My role of teaching is not limited to psychology. I strongly believe God is stirring up the ‘teacher’ office of the Five fold ministry in me.
I’m a doctor by virtue, healing and performing heart surgery with words of encouragement.
I am extremely driven and passionate about getting everyone; both Christians and non-Christians to read, understand and live out the word of God. To achieve this, I’ve created online Bible Challenges, whereby people around the world via social media, read a book in the Bible, one chapter a day and share what they have drawn out from the text. I have numerous Bible challenges, all accessible from my blog (www.doctorkanayo.com) and the YouVersion Bible App where over 250,000 people have completed my devotionals around the world. One Bible Challenge at a time, I aim to change the skewed perceptions of the Bible being irrelevant and to show the true reality that the bible is ‘juicy’, tremendously relevant, fun and easy to read. My one prayer is that my teachings and writings from His word, will touch at least ONE person. That would be a serious mission accomplished to the glory of God!
If you have anything you would like me to blog about, do let me know by either commenting, or contacting me via my contact form.
Thank you for visiting my blog. With love, Kanayo x
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4 thoughts on “Forgiveness does not negate accountability”
I did your devo on “The Psychology of Forgiveness” that is how I found you. Let’s just say I’m a “Hot Mess Express”. You have driven me into deep study, prayer, writing and thought. I was raised by a narcissist who was done with me when my Daddy died when I was 14yrs. old. “My job” after that was to care for my baby brother of 9yrs old. Being a Preacher’s kid, yes, you read that right, I struggled for 40 yrs between… “Honour Thy Father and MOTHER” and but I hate you. I am coming out of a two year break. My husband and I moved, changed phone numbers, and got a new car. There is much more to the story. But, Thank you! And Thank Yahweh for leading me to find you!
God Bless you sis. I am glad that you were encouraged by the devotional. We ultimately thank our Great God for the counsel of His word. I pray His strength and comfort upon you, as you courageously fulfil His command to forgive, even when it hurts and when we remember. Lots of love, Kanayo xx
I found you devotional I am in process of divorce I am having such a hard time forgiving my husband is making up lies and punishing me financially I are really struggling with forgiveness I pray everyday I don’t want to bitter but it’s so hard to let go while in the mist of the divorce my emotions are you and down
And in some cases you must walk away
I did your devo on “The Psychology of Forgiveness” that is how I found you. Let’s just say I’m a “Hot Mess Express”. You have driven me into deep study, prayer, writing and thought. I was raised by a narcissist who was done with me when my Daddy died when I was 14yrs. old. “My job” after that was to care for my baby brother of 9yrs old. Being a Preacher’s kid, yes, you read that right, I struggled for 40 yrs between… “Honour Thy Father and MOTHER” and but I hate you. I am coming out of a two year break. My husband and I moved, changed phone numbers, and got a new car. There is much more to the story. But, Thank you! And Thank Yahweh for leading me to find you!
God Bless you sis. I am glad that you were encouraged by the devotional. We ultimately thank our Great God for the counsel of His word. I pray His strength and comfort upon you, as you courageously fulfil His command to forgive, even when it hurts and when we remember. Lots of love, Kanayo xx
I found you devotional I am in process of divorce I am having such a hard time forgiving my husband is making up lies and punishing me financially I are really struggling with forgiveness I pray everyday I don’t want to bitter but it’s so hard to let go while in the mist of the divorce my emotions are you and down