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THE TWELVE STEPS AND THEIR
BIBLICAL COMPARISONS
1.
Admitted we were
powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. 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.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his
good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)
3.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of
God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer
your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is
your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)
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 5:16a)
6.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James
4:10)
7.
Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
8.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make
amends to them all.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)
9.
Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to
do so would injure them or others.
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)
10.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong,
promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't
fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)
11.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious
contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and
power to carry that out.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16a)
12.
Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we
tried to carry this message to others, 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. (Galatians 6:1)
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