| 1. |
We
admitted we were powerless over alcohol ... 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 alter and there remember
that your brother has something against you, leave your gift
there in front of the alter. 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)
**The words of Christ |
| The Twelve
Steps are reprinted with permission of Alcoholics
Anonymous World Services, Inc. Permission to
reprint the Twelve Steps does not mean that AA
has reviewed or approved the contents of this
publication, nor that AA agrees with the views
expressed herein. AA is program of recovery from
alcoholism - use of the Twelve Steps in connection
with programs and activities which are patterned after
AA, but address other problems, does not imply
otherwise. |
|
