1. 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)
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)