Understanding vs. Agreement

When two people discuss an issue, there are two possible objectives: agreement or understanding.

Understanding
If the goal is understanding; this is controllable. There can always be an end to the discussion where both sides “win”. Each side can intentionally work to understand the other side…each side can intentionally work to be understood.

This process is contrastive. Each side is willing to understand something different than what they believe. In fact, each side is trying to see the other side as true.

Notice: This does NOT mean they have to believe it.

Once each side has understood the other, each side can then express their will and knowingly choose what to believe…and God can work on them if they are wrong. We are relieved of this responsibility.

Agreement
If the goal is agreement, this is not completely controllable. There isn’t always going to be an end to the discussion where both sides “win”. In fact, there may not be an end to this discussion. It can go on indefinitely…

This process is comparative. Each side is focused on ignoring what is different than their belief. Each side is focused on only seeing their perspective as true.

Notice: The entire measure of success is belief. Resolution can only occur when one side is brought into agreement.

For some reason, men especially take on the responsibility of ensuring agreement. This is usually done by force. The scriptures talk about bringing thoughts and beliefs into agreement with God…but there is no mention of bringing them into agreement with each other.

Accountability
Today, people “force” agreement by requiring people to be “accountable”. Basically, people try to get others to agree upfront that they will be accountable to others…that is, they agree to let others force them into agreement at a later date.

The word “accountable” is not in the KJV or ASV of the Bible.

I don’t believe there is anything wrong with a person freely choosing to make one’s self accountable to other(s). This would be especially true if the individual knew they had a weakness in an area and required a tangible confrontation.

However, I don’t believe accountability is “required” for all…

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