12 Steps to Christian Recovery

STEP ONE

We admit that by ourselves we are powerless over destructive behaviors and addictions and that our lives have become unmanageable. “I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t.” Romans 7:18

STEP TWO

We come to believe that God, through His power, can restore us to sanity. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”

Philippians 2:13

STEP THREE

We make a decision to turn our will and lives over to God through Jesus Christ. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” Romans 12:1

STEP FOUR

We make a fearless and moral inventory of ourselves. “Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the LORD.” Lamentations 3:40

STEP FIVE

We admit to God and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16a

STEP SIX

We commit ourselves to be obedient to God, so that these patterns of sin can be removed from our lives. “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.” James 4:10

STEP SEVEN

We humbly ask God to renew our minds so that our sinful patterns can be transformed into patterns of righteousness. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2

STEP EIGHT

We make a list of all persons we have harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all. “Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them.”

Matthew 7:1,2

STEP NINE

We make direct amends to such people where possible, except when doing so will injure them or others. “Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galatians 6:1

STEP TEN

We continue to take personal inventory, and when we are wrong, promptly admit it. “If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin.” 1 Corinthians 10:12

STEP ELEVEN

We seek to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, meditation, and obedience, praying for wisdom and power to carry out His will. “If you need wisdom — if you want to know what God wants you to do — ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6

STEP TWELVE

Having had a spiritual awakening, we try to carry the message of Christ’s grace and restoration power to others who are trapped in addictive behavior, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. “Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galatians 6:1)

(These Steps are adapted from the The Bible, 12 Steps of A.A., and Rapha International)