THE 12 STEPS AND THE BIBLE

1.  We have admitted we were powerless over alcohol (or gambling, or whatever addiction.), that our lives have become unmanageable.

Jeremiah 10:23

 23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (KJV)

 John 15:5-8

5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)

Philippians 4:13

 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV)

Acts 4:10-12

 10 ...Jesus Christ of Nazareth, ... whom God raised from the dead,

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (NIV)

2 Peter 1:2-11

            2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

            3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

            5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

            10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NIV)

 

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

Luke 18:27

 27 And (Jesus) said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. (KJV)

  Mark 9:22-23

 22 ...If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (KJV)

Hebrews 11:6

 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)

 Matthew 21:21-22

 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, ... all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (KJV)

 

3.  Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him.

2 Corinthians 7:10

 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (NIV)

 

 4.  Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Psalm 51:3

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (NIV)

 Luke 18:13-14

            13 "..... He ... said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

            14 "I tell you that this man, ...went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (NIV)

 

5.  Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Isaiah 59:12

12 For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us.  Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: (NIV)

1 John 1:8-10

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (NIV)

James 5:16

 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)

 Romans 2:4

 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? (NIV)

 Luke 13:3

 3 ...unless you repent, you too will all perish. (NIV)

 

6.  Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Acts 8:22-24

 (Peter said) 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you .... 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."

                              24 Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." (NIV)

 Psalm 51:2

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

 

7.  Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.  (NIV)

Mark 9:22-24

             22 "...If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." 

                              23 "`If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

                              24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (NIV)

 

8.  Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

Exodus 22:3, 5, 6

 3 ... he should make full restitution.... (KJV)

 Leviticus 5:16

 16 He must make restitution for what he has failed to do .... (NIV)

9.  Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

 Ezekiel 33:14-16

 14 And if I say to the wicked man, `You will surely die,' but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right -- 15 if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die. 16 None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live. (NIV)

 Luke 19:8-10

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

                              9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (NIV)

 Matthew 5:23-26

            23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

            25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (NIV)

 Romans 13:8

            8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. (NIV)

 

10.  Con