| 1. |
We
admitted we were powerless over our separation from God ... that our
lives had become unmanageable. |
"I
know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For
I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."
(Romans 7:18) |
| 2. |
Came
to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to
sanity. |
"...
my grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in
weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) |
| 3. |
Made
a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD as
we understood Him. |
"...
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his
cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23**) |
| 4. |
Made
a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. |
"Let
us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the
Lord." (Lamentations 3:40) |
| 5. |
Admitted
to GOD, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of
our wrongs. |
"Therefore
confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you
may be healed." (James 5:16) |
| 6. |
Were
entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character. |
"If
you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the
land." (Isaiah 1:19) |
| 7. |
Humbly
asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. |
"Humble yourselves
before the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10) |
| 8. |
Made
a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends
to them all. |
"Therefore,
if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that
your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front
of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come
and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24**) |
| 9. |
Made
direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so
would injure them or others. |
Give
and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken
together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38**) |
| 10. |
Continued
to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted
it. |
"For
by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of
yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given
you." (Romans 12:3) |
| 11. |
Sought
through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with
GOD as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and
the power to carry that out. |
"May
the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in
your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) |
| 12. |
Having
had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to
carry this message to alcoholics, and practice these principles in all
our affairs. |
"Brothers,
if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore
him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each
other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of
Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2)
|
