The Other Side of Accountability

In Articles, Faith Journey, Friends, Spiritual Growth by Jordan Harnum

I was walking through a tall forest on Keats Island off the West Coast of Canada alongside my spiritual advisor, Dave. He had been assigned to me as part of a leadership development program I participated in.

The program was coming to an end after 18 months, and we were having our final mentoring session.

There, on a path in the middle of the Pacific, Dave said something that I never forgot:

“Jordan, it’s time for less ‘talk’ and more ‘do.’”

Ouch.

It was simple and pointed but exactly what I needed to finally get moving on many of the things we had been working through.

You see, I’ve never had a problem talking about my intentions, plans, and goals—but executing?

Well, that has never been my strong suit.

This was a moment of accountability. And truthfully? It saved my bacon.

What is Accountability?

Every man needs it.

But what exactly is it?

Accountability is a word often thrown around in church circles. It is typically used as a surefire way to stop you from giving in to temptation or, like a confessional booth, as a place to report your wrongdoings after they’ve been committed (e.g., James 5:16).

But what is accountability, and why is it so powerful and important?

Accountable2U (an internet accountability software) defines it this way:

“Accountability is both an attitude and a practice. It means taking responsibility for your actions and willingly communicating with others about your choices, so you can show your integrity and grow in maturity.”

I like this definition for several reasons, but there are two main ones I’ll unpack below.

Accountability Helps You Get Things Done

Accountability is ultimately about growing in maturity. Yes, it’s a place for confession and vulnerability, but it’s more than just that.

Otherwise, any sort of accountability relationship will feel like a trip to the doctor—where the only time you see them is when something is wrong. And who likes going to the doctor?

Accountability is ultimately about growing in maturity.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish,” and I would say a goal without accountability is just as elusive.

The Association for Talent Development backs this up with some compelling data:

According to a study they did, when you tell someone you’ll do something, you have a 65% chance of following through.

But if you schedule a specific accountability appointment to follow up?

Your chances of success skyrocket to 95%.

Accountability has the power to propel you forward, sharpening your focus on what God is calling you to do, and getting things done (Proverbs 27:17).

Accountability isn’t just a safe place to land; it’s like a trampoline, projecting you forward with encouragement and focus.

Accountability Isn’t Someone Else’s Responsibility

The definition provided above mentions that accountability is about taking responsibility. My experience, however, has been that it can sometimes be an easy way to abdicate responsibility and put the onus on someone else.

It can sound like this:

  • “If I just have someone helping me, I’ll be fine.”
  • “Well, my boss never checked in on me, so it’s not my fault I didn’t deliver what I said I would.”
  • “My mentor didn’t ask me about my struggle, so I’ve just been indulging…”

Accountability doesn’t mean shifting responsibility to someone else. Instead, it’s a godly reminder of the commitment you made to God and to yourself.

Sathiya Sam once said in a podcast that accountability is less about catching, reporting, or discouraging bad behavior and more about giving “an account-of-their-ability.”

In other words, it’s not just about listening to someone confess but about reminding them of who God has made them to be and His ability to help them through their need.

The Lord of the Rings: A Picture of Accountability

This reminds me of an important moment from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Frodo is exhausted and failing as he carries the One Ring up Mount Doom to destroy it and overcome its evil power.

Seeing him struggle, Sam says, “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you!” He then lifts Frodo onto his back and helps him continue on his mission.

This moment perfectly illustrates how accountability calls us “up” and not just calls us “out.”

Godly accountability doesn’t condemn or criticize our weakness but offers strength and encouragement to help us persevere in what is right and good.

When my spiritual advisor, Dave, told me, “Jordan, it’s time for less ‘talk’ and more ‘do,’” he wasn’t shaming me for my inaction or accepting responsibility for my future. Instead, like Sam in Lord of the Rings, he reminded me of my potential and was there to help and set me on my way to do the work.

Godly accountability doesn’t condemn or criticize our weakness but offers strength and encouragement to help us persevere in what is right and good.

True accountability isn’t about wanting someone else to carry the weight—it’s about carrying each other when the burden feels too heavy (Galatians 6:2) and urging one another toward growth and holiness (Hebrews 10:24-25).

It’s more than a tool for avoiding failure—it can be a catalyst for spiritual growth and maturity. Like my story, it helps us turn our good intentions into actions, reminding us of God’s call on our lives and His power to equip us for that call.

True accountability lifts us up when we falter, encourages us to keep going when the path is hard, and sharpens us to be the men God created us to be.

About
Jordan Harnum
Jordan serves as a Content & Conference Strategist for Impactus. He is an alumnus of Tyndale University and Arrow Leadership graduate. Jordan is passionate about seeing men become all God has called them to be. He lives in Milton, Ontario where he is involved in his local church . He is married to Rachel and together they have a daughter named Poppy Joy, and son named Crew William James.
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Jordan Harnum
Jordan serves as a Content & Conference Strategist for Impactus. He is an alumnus of Tyndale University and Arrow Leadership graduate. Jordan is passionate about seeing men become all God has called them to be. He lives in Milton, Ontario where he is involved in his local church . He is married to Rachel and together they have a daughter named Poppy Joy, and son named Crew William James.