12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous & Biblical References
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, 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.
“… My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9)“…for it God Who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose…”
(Phil. 2:13)
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD as we understood Him.
“… If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
(Luke 9:23**)
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 5:16)
6. Were entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character.
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.”
(Isaiah 1:19)
7. Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
(James 4:10)
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
“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**)
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
“Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Luke 6:38**)
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted 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)
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that out.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
(Psalm 19:14)“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
(Col. 3:16)
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, 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. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
(Galatians 6:1-2)
** words of Christ
>> DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF OF 12 STEPS WITH BIBLE VERSES
>> Another version of the 12 Steps, with many more Bible verses for each, can be found here.
Thank you for this… I am part of a CoSA group and AA has allowed us to borrow the 12 steps and traditions. I was hoping to find some verses to go with the steps and was excited to see someone had it prepared and ready for me to find. Thank you. God is good and will lead me when I look.
Iam so afraid of knowing anything about crack this close to me .Ireally donot know how to really comment properly because I am so misuninformed about this crack that seems to be robbing families of love ones . I am a great believer of GOD almighty and with that I pray to the best of my knowedge. GOD BLESS u all.
I have been a member of A-Anon for about 13 years.It really saved my life & from me going crazy.Are worse.
I was married to an alocholic for 29 years.Then I found out about the support group Al-Anon.There meeting & books & friends are all there for anyone.
Thank God for the 12 Steps for us all in the groups.
I am a crack addict………i want 2 use!…….. i wont use!…..i cant use!……i have signed the life of my 3 beautiful daughters away if i use even 1 more time……..u would think that would scare someone stright as a stick!……..God has shown mercy so many times………i want 2return 2 him with obedience………..please pray 4 me!
Nola-
Pray and trust GOD to remove the compulsion to use from you. Ask Him to help you. He will and the rest is up to you to move toward a different lifestyle. I have three years clean from Crack and I did it by giving my life to Christ and changing the people, places, and things that triggered me. Staying away from others who do not support your need for serenity and a different environment is one of the most important factors in changing your life. When you get urges, control your thoughts. In the moment when you feel overwhelmed – PLAY THE SCENE FORWARD. Don’t just picture the beginning of getting high and how that would feel, fast forward to getting arrested, beaten (physically or figuratively), losing your three children, and the remorse and worthlessness that comes after you use. I am praying for you Nola. I am asking God to give you the strength to resist the temptation to hurt yourself with crack.