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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 have the
desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it
out." (Romans 7:18)
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We
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)
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We
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)
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We
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)
-
We
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)
-
We
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)
-
We
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)
-
We
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)
-
We
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)
-
We
continued to take personal inventory and when we
were wrong, promptly admit it.
"So, if you think you are standing firm, be
careful that you don't fall." (1 Corinthians
10:12)
-
We
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)
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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)
