The Christ-Centered 12 Steps and their Biblical Comparisons

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 7:18 NIV

We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

For it is God who is at work in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 NIV

We made a decision to turn our life and our will over to the care of God.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, 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 NIV

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 NIV

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 5:16a NIV

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 NIV

We 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 NIV

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 have them do to you. Luke 6:31 NIV

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 or sister has something against you, leave your offering there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23–24 NIV

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 Corinthians 10:12 NIV

We 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 that out.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16a NIV

Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and practice these principles in all our affairs.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1 NIV