The Twelve Steps:
A Guide for Living Faithfully
This is the fifth in a series of short essays by members of the
Faith Partners ministry at House of Hope on the Twelve
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, how they serve as the basis
for recovery from many addictions, and their application to
people of faith.
The fifth step is: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the
exact nature of our wrongs.”
“Those who cover their sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses
and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Step 5 is a purification step that leads to liberation. It recognizes a vital truth: the
secrets we keep will make us sick—and keep us sick. It is through Step 5 that we surrender
those secrets, while forgiving ourselves and others.
Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our
debtors.” By forgiving ourselves of our wrongs—and forgiving others—change can
happen and recovery is truly possible.
In Step Four, we “made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” We
examined our long-held fears, resentments, and pain. We saw our part in them. We also
saw the role of others in that pain. We shed a light on our secrets and we saw the patterns
in our lives that caused our pain.
In Step Five, we give these discoveries a voice. We share our inventory with God and
another human being. The person we choose is trustworthy and able to be objective.
Often that person is a member of the clergy.
Taking this Step requires courage and honesty. A lot of it. Taking this step is humbling.
Ultimately, completing the Step is liberating and gratifying. It offers us the gift of
true freedom from secrets and long-held fears, pain and resentments.
When we complete Step Five, we feel not only closer to God, but aligned with God.
“I can of myself do nothing, the Father abiding in me doeth his works.” John 5:30
—Carol Pine, Co-chair,
House of Hope Faith Partners Ministry
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