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God and the 12 Steps

12-Steps and Scripture

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way….” (II Timothy 3:16-17)

The Christian historic belief is that Scripture is authoritative and complete and contains all the principles necessary to live life in Christ and fully as a human being. We at Covenant Hills operate under the conviction that the inspired Word of God must be our foundational source and inspiration in the professional counseling, treatment and rehabilitation process.

We believe that love and compassion should be at the heart of a Biblically based ministry (I Corinthians, 13). Accordingly, we are committed to work with our clients in the spirit of tolerance (in the truest sense of the word) and reverence for each person’s worth and dignity—beginning wherever they are in their search for God.

 

Christian rehab with 12 steps program

The 12 Steps & Their Biblical Foundation

1. 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)

2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, 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)

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 5:16a)

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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)

9. 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 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)

10. 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)

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16a)

12. 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.
Brethren, if a man is overtakenin any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a man in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6)

christian 12-step program near me

The 12 Steps and Christian Rehab Center

The writers of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, with these same motivations, make it clear that the addict’s problem is a spiritual sickness that only a “spiritual awakening” can remedy. In it’s simplicity it calls the hurting ones to three pertinent and basic truths about themselves: (1) that they are alcoholic and can not manage their own lives; (2) that no human power can relieve their alcoholism; and (3) that God can and will if He is sought. Despite the reports of some individuals who have experienced prejudice and abuse in the culture of Alcoholic Anonymous, the early history and the principles outlined in the Big Book of AA are squarely rooted in Biblical truth.

We are called to deal with all of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual aspects of addiction. Treatment must be comprehensive and aggressive. We know that left untreated, most die. Our Christian professional staff brings to our unique program the best of psychiatric, psychological, medical, behavioral, pastoral and theological training and experience in order to address substance abuse and the wreckage it brings to suffering human beings. Our goal is to actively stand alongside the walking wounded in the healing process, encouraging hope and renewal to their body, mind, soul, spirit and relationships.

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