The Celebrate Recovery Twelve Steps And Their Biblical Basis
Step 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 7:16)
Step 2 – 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)
Step 3 - We made a decision to turn our wills 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)
Step 4 – 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)
Step 5 – 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
4:10)
Step 6 – 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)
Step 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)
Step 8 – 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 them do
to you.” (Luke 6:31)
Step 9 – 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)
Step 10 – We
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 Cor 10:12)
Step 11 – We sought through prayer and
meditation to improve our concious 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” (Clossians 3:16a)
Step 12 – Having
had s spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we tried to
carry this message to others and to 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 youalso may
be tempted.” (Galations 6:1)