“We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
“When we decide who is to hear our story, we waste no time. We have a written inventory, and we are prepared for a long talk. We explain to our partner what we are about to do and why we have to do it. He should realize that we are engaged upon a life-and-death errand. Most people approached in this way will be glad to help; they will be honored by our confidence.
We pocket our pride and go to it…”
- Have I completed a moral inventory? If not, why? If so, what insight did you learn about yourself?
- Is there any fear or pride keeping us from deciding to share parts of ourselves we’d rather not to another human being? If so, what exact fear(s) or matters of pride?
- What do you feel, or think could happen if you let pride and fear keep you from choosing to not to do this step thoroughly with Jesus and another human being? What do you think or feel you will gain by doing this step?
Scripture tells us of the importance of confession of our sins.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 ESV
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13 ESV
Since we know that God resists the proud and the Bible describes pride as being at the root of all sin, we should humble ourselves or God will do it for us. Pride can cause us to fall flat on our face because “When pride comes, then comes disgrace” (Prov 11:2) so it is suggested that we humble ourselves or God will have do to it for us. One is a lot more painful than the other, therefore “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (1 Pet 5:6) because as Jesus said “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matt 23:12).
Source: page 75 Alcoholics Anonymous, page 49
