TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

Why is responsibility an important character trait in recovery?

Responsibility can open doors of opportunity.

The man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. Matthew 25:29

Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3

Responsibility is important because you will be held accountable for your own actions.

Here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty.”
Matthew 12:36-37

God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad. Ecclesiastes 12:14

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Three things we are responsible for

   – You are responsible to compensate others for any injury or harm you caused them.

 Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law  demands. Romans 13:8

Don’t withhold repayment of your debts. Don’t say “some other time,” if you can pay now. Proverbs 3:27-28

   – You are responsible for the words you speak.
    
Don’t speak impulsively—don’t be in a hurry to give voice to your words before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1

The Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God’s laws. But the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us. Romans 5:20

    –  You are responsible for keeping your promises.

If you mean yes, say yes. If you mean no, say no. Do this so that you won’t be condemned. James 5:12

All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does. James 3:2

2. Taking Responsibility

– ADMIT AND ACCEPT YOUR WEAKNESSES

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. Romans 7:18

– STOP BLAMING

When they opposed him  [Paul] and said evil things about him, he protested by shaking the dust from his clothes and saying to them,

“If you are lost, you yourselves must take the
  blame for it! I am not responsible.” Acts 18:6

– STOP COMPLAINING

 Jesus already knew that his followers were complaining about this. So he said, “Is this
 teaching a problem for you? John 6:61

– STOP TAKING EVERYTHING PERSONALLY

Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. James 3:16

– LIVE FOR TODAY

 Since Christ is so much superior, the Holy Spirit warns us to listen to him, to be careful to hear his voice today and not let our hearts become set against him, as the people of Israel did. They steeled themselves against his love and complained against him in the desert while he was testing them. Hebrews 3:7 -8

– BELIEVE GOD CAN AND WILL HELP YOU

You can get anything—anything you ask for in prayer—if you believe.” Matthew 21:22

– USE GOD’S POWER INTENTIONALLY

 Foolish men without knowledge of God bow before their idols. It is a shameful business that these men are in, for what they make are frauds, gods without life or power in them. Jeremiah 10:14

Three Types of Responsibility

– MORAL RESPONSIBILITY

Temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes. James 1:14

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

– SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and
  not merely for your masters, Colossians 3:23

–SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY

 It pleases me that you continue to remember and honour me by keeping up the traditions of the faith I taught you. All actual authority stems from Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1