TWELVE STEPS IN CHRISTIAN RECOVERY
Straight
Facts about Drug and Alcohol
Christians have always understood that faith in God is the key to begin and
sustain recovery. The most important is to receive Christ
and to continue a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Life this is really
a walk with the Lord, where we seek to go in the same direction (God's way)
over a long time. But we take this journey step by step. Many people struggle with addictive
behaviors. They have found that there
are twelve steps they must take to continue this life long personal relationship
with the Lord.
I don't have a problem!
Do I???
 Step One
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ADMIT THAT I HAVE BECOME POWERLESS
OVER ALCOHOL OR THE SUBSTANCE I HAVE ABUSED AND THAT MY LIFE IS
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.
For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want
to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do,
it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. --
Romans 7:18-20
Step Two
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COME TO BELIEVE THAT THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
I CAN BE RESTORED TO RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THE FATHER, AND SUBSEQUENT
SANITY AND STABILITY IN MY LIFE. |
Jesus said, "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome
my unbelief!" --Mark 9:23-24
Step Three
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MAKE THE DECISION TO TURN FROM THE THINGS
OF THE PAST AND INVITE JESUS CHRIST TO BE LORD AND MANAGER OF MY
LIFE. |
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's
sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth
over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
--Psalm 23
Step Four
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MAKE A SEARCHING AND FEARLESS MORAL
INVENTORY OF MYSELF. |
All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the
LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will
succeed. --Proverbs 16:2-3
Step Five
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ADMITTED TO GOD, MYSELF, AND ANOTHER HUMAN
BEING THE EXACT NATURE OF MY WRONG DOING. |
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.
--James 5:16
Step Six
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BE ENTIRELY READY TO HAVE GOD REMOVE
ALL THESE DEFECTS OF CHARACTER. |
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your
hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you
lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is
holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy,
because I am holy." --1 Peter 1:13-16
Step Seven
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HUMBLY ASKED GOD TO REMOVE ALL MY SHORTCOMINGS
AND TO FORGIVE ME, BELIEVING AND RECEIVING. |
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my
fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never
covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard
him; he saved him out of all his troubles. --Psalm 34:4-6
Step Eight
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MAKE A LIST OF ALL PERSONS I HAVE HARMED
AND BECAME WILLING TO MAKE AMENDS TO THEM ALL. |
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift
of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have
a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude,
it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where
there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will
pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but
when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child,
I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but
a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I
know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these
is love. -- 1 Corinthians 13
Step Nine
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MAKE DIRECT AMENDS TO SUCH PEOPLE, WHEREVER
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 Ten
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CONTINUE TO TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY AND
WHEN I AM WRONG PROMPTLY ADMIT IT. |
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of
yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
--Romans 12:3
Step Eleven
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THROUGH PRAYER AND MEDITATION ON GOD'S
WORD SEEK TO INCREASE MY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, PRAYING CONTINUALLY FOR THE
KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL FOR ME AND THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT TO DO IT . |
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:5-7
Step Twelve
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HAVING BEEN SPIRITUALLY RESTORED AND SET
FREE FROM "THE SIN WHICH DOES SO EASILY BESET US", ATTEMPT TO SHARE
THIS FREEDOM AND THE ONE WHO HAS FREED ME WITH THOSE WHO STILL SUFFER,
AND PRACTICE THE LORD'S PRINCIPLES IN ALL MY AFFAIRS. |
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see
your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. --Matthew 5:16
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Basic Resources