Twelve Steps

ONE

We 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 know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Romans 7:18

TWO

We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

THREE

We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1

FOUR

We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.

Lamentations 3:40

FIVE

We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16

SIX

We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:10

SEVEN

We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

EIGHT

We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Luke 6:31

NINE

We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matthew 5:23-24

TEN

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 10:12

ELEVEN

We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and the power to carry that out.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

Colossians 3:16

TWELVE

Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Galatians 6:1