Christian Twelve Steps
Christian Step Ten
STEP 10 - Continued To Take Personal Inventory And When We Were Wrong Promptly Admitted It.
If we are to live for Christ we must continue to grow. A person who does not continue to grow will slip back. There is a great freedom in being able to admit to God and others when we are wrong. It is a great discovery when we find out we do not always have to be right. We speak with authority when we speak "God's Word" but, when we speak "our words" we are sometimes wrong. In such cases, we promptly admit it and are done with it. This eliminates any further buildup or "gunnysacking" of wrongs, guilts and resentments. God will continue to reveal those areas in our lives that must be gotten rid of. As they arise we simply confess them, ask the Lord to forgive us, and turn away from them.
1 Peter 1:22 & 23 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Luke 12:1-3- Jesus began first to speak to his disciples, saying: "Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the house tops."
Ephesians 4:25 & 26 - Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
2 Timothy 2:23 & 24 - Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:14-16 - Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - 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.
1 Corinthians 13:11 - When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I become a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Philippians 2:1-4 - If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others greater than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Romans 12:3 - Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
1 Corinthians 10:12 & 13 - So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But, when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:1 & 2 - My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Hebrews 9:13 & 14 - The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.
Philippians 2:12-15 - Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
1 Peter 2:16 & 17 - Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover- up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect for everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.