This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.
Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here .
Are you living the life God planned for you? Have you taken responsibility for your part in living out that life?
If you lack a sense of responsibility for your life, you probably also lack a sense of accountability to God. That’s the position of Joyce Meyer, who argues that God has a life planned for you—and that you have a responsibility to use what God has given you to live out that life.
Keep reading to learn more about why it’s important to consider yourself accountable to God.
Accountability to God
A sense of accountability to God matters. Here’s why.
If we want to live the positive life that God intends for us, we have to be willing to work for it. Meyer refers to this as taking responsibility for our lives. She defines responsibility as our duty to “respond” to the “ability” that God has given us. She reminds us that God has a plan for each of our lives and has given us each unique abilities, talents, and opportunities. Taking responsibility means using these attributes to build the positive life that God has planned for us. Therefore, responsibility will look different for everyone.
(Shortform note: While Meyer assures us that God has a plan for our lives, it’s unclear how we are meant to know what that plan is.)
Satan tries to stop us from taking responsibility for our future by convincing us that the opportunities that God puts in our path are not right for us. He may tell us that they are too hard, that it’s not the right time to take on a new project, or that a particular role is not the right fit. If we listen to him, Meyer cautions that we may pass up a chance for a better life that will not come around again.
Accountability and motivation can help us ignore Satan’s suggestions. Meyer explains that all responsible people share a feeling of accountability to God, and this accountability fuels an intrinsic motivation to use their gifts to serve Him. Therefore, even when no one else is watching, a responsible person will continue to seize opportunities for self-improvement.
———End of Preview———
Like what you just read? Read the rest of the world's best book summary and analysis of Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield of the Mind" at Shortform .
Here's what you'll find in our full Battlefield of the Mind summary :
- How the Devil makes it his mission to corrupt our minds with negative thoughts
- How to recognize the signs that Satan is attacking your mind
- How to thwart Satan’s attacks and find happiness and fulfillment
