Trust is a tough word for many people. It’s understandable because it’s the commodity that so often is broken when given to someone. No one on earth has not experienced the sense of betrayal or feeling of personal pain that comes when our trusting someone has been violated. Yet, we’re destined to trust.

It could be said that our entire Christian experience is dependent upon this truth as without learning to trust one will not get very far with God. We’ve been created to trust ourselves to God, and to find relationship with others where trust is cultivated between each other.

Unfortunately it is difficult to find those who you can really trust, but it nevertheless is a requirement of life. A passage of scripture that has always touched me regarding this is the covenant between David and Jonathan. There is much that can be learned from their mutual experience but the part that always struck me so deeply was David and Jonathan exchanging of swords that’s found in 1 Samuel 18.

The Lord spoke clearly to me that I must find someone that I can trust enough to give that which he could destroy me with. To find someone I could give away my sword to and be defenceless before. Someone who I could share my greatest fears and temptations with and the personal weaknesses that horrify me. Someone who would not immediately strike out at me or leave my confidence in him only to share it with others. A true confidant. A haven of accountability and a faithful listener.

Personal accountability is always a struggle with some, but the truth remains that every Paul needs a Timothy and every Timothy needs a Paul. We’re made to operate that way by our Father. A man needs a man and a woman needs a woman to speak with. A righteous man or woman. Read with me Psalm 141:5a from the Amplified Bible:

Let the righteous man smite and correct me--it is a kindness. Oil so choice let not my head refuse or discourage;

Scripture says such correction that comes from a righteous man is like priceless oil poured upon our heads, and speaks to receiving God’s anointings. Stronger anointings always follow strong accountability. Be encouraged to receive such correction! It’s the path to more abundant life.

This new year is indeed a year of rearrangement and change, and no matter what your position or title you need to be violently accountable to somebody. It deeply concerns me to discover how many church or spiritual leaders have seemingly become islands unto themselves. That is always dangerous and opens the door to many problems. The greater the position the greater the need for wise counsel from wise men and women of God as greater is the refinement of temptation that comes to those in authority. Read the following in James 3:1 (Amplified Bible):

Not many [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation] (highlights mine)

I suggest to you that you find someone who you can sit in front of several times a year and ask questions like, “Okay, tell me what’s stupid about me now?” Someone who will not be a “yes” person but an individual who will not be afraid to tell you the truth. You in turn must be prepared to hear the truth, and stop justifying any inconsistencies in your life.

Guilt is a heavy weight that human beings cannot carry for prolonged seasons without self-destructing in some ways. The toxicity of guilt unreleased begins to burn in your spirit and soul like poison and diminishes your quality of life. God’s people need to understand that the opportunity for guilt will always be there, as none of us are perfect and all of us fail at times. That’s why forgiveness is so beautiful. God has never intended for us to bear guilt as His children cannot serve Him aggressively in any battlefield and wield the sword of the spirit while carrying a ton of guilt upon their back at the same time. The sword of the Spirit will not be wielded well where the guilt slows down its stroke.

Accountability to another is designed to allow us this freedom of guilt. Once fears are shared, there is an immediate lifting of the weight, and posture and progress are instantly easier to accomplish.

I know it’s not easy, but find someone quickly this year to give your sword to. There is someone out there who needs to give their sword to you. If you can be trusted, God will provide someone in whom you can trust as well. Get rid of the weight, and start up the road to freedom. Give that sword away quickly.