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Alcoholics
Anonymous and Christian Spirituality Step One We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable. Christian Interpretation: Self-centeredness, the essence of sin, separates us from God and our true selves. Our selfish attitudes and bad habits hold us captive. Our lives go out of control and we need help. Step Two Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Christian Interpretation: Our finite selves cannot find God, the infinitely great Power of the universe. God, therefore, takes the initiative to make Himself known on our level through Jesus Christ - the God Man Who once said, All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth. Step Three Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him. Christian Interpretation: As we surrender our right to control ourselves and let Jesus Christ lord it over us, we can understand God and experience his love and care personally. Step Four Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Christian Interpretation: The New Testament says, Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). The Psalmist says, Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my ways, and see if there be any wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:29). Step Five Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs. Christian Interpretation: Christianity teaches, Confess your faults one to another that you may be healed (James 5:16). If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Step Six Were ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Christian Interpretation: Only God can transform human life. When He releases Himself into our lives He begins to change us from within, giving us power to become new people. If any man is in Christ, old things pass away, yes, all things become new. Step Seven Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings. Christian Interpretation: God has the power to set us free. Jesus can save, liberate and emancipate to the uttermost all who come to God through Him. Step Eight Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Christian Interpretation: Restitution is fundamental to the Christian life. Zacchaeus said, Whatever I have taken falsely I will return fourfold. Jesus responded, Today salvation is come to this house (Luke 19:9). Step Nine Made amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Christian Interpretation: Love and forgiveness lead us to new relationships yet discretion and sensitivity must be employed. Love in all its fullness must motivate our restitution. Step Ten Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Christian Interpretation: Life that is truly life yields to the constant assessment of its thoughts and acts. Preoccupied with judging ourselves, we are less inclined to judge others. Step Eleven Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry it out. Christian Interpretation: Prayer opens the way to encounter God and meditation upon his Word provides the avenue for the Holy Spirit to order our lives according to his will. Step Twelve Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry the message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs. Christian Interpretation: Christians reach out to others seeking to share their victories with humble and loving attitudes. To be valid, Christianity must be openly practiced. |