Twelve Steps with Scripture

Step 5

Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. - James 5:16

Proverbs 28:13-14
He who conceals his sins prospers not, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy. 14 Happy the man who is always on his guard; but he who hardens his heart will fall into evil.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For, although we are in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh, 5 4 for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments 5 and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ,

Mathew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 5:31
Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

Luke 15:4-7
"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy 6 and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

Luke 15:17-20
Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18 I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' 20 So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

Acts 19:18
Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices.

Romans 14:12-13
So (then) each of us shall give an account of himself (to God). 13 Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Romans 14:22
Keep the faith (that) you have to yourself in the presence of God; blessed is the one who does not condemn himself for what he approves.

1 Corinthians 11:27-32
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. 12 28 A person should examine himself, 13and so eat the bread and drink the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment 14 on himself. 30 That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying. 31 If we discerned ourselves, we would not be under judgment; 32 but since we are judged by (the) Lord, we are being disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

Ephesians 4:14-15
so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming. 15 Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ,

Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry

Hebrews 4:12-16
Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. 13 No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. 16 So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

James 4:7-8
So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds.

1 John 1:8-9
If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

Psalm 32:3-5
As long as I kept silent, my bones wasted away; I groaned all the day. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength withered as in dry summer heat. Selah 5 Then I declared my sin to you; my guilt I did not hide. I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD," and you took away the guilt of my sin. Selah

Psalm 38:17-18
For I fear they will gloat, exult over me if I stumble. 18 I am very near to falling; my pain is with me always. 19 I acknowledge my guilt and grieve over my sin.

Psalm 40:11-13
Your deed I did not hide within my heart; your loyal deliverance I have proclaimed. I made no secret of your enduring kindness to a great assembly. 12 LORD, do not withhold your compassion from me; may your enduring kindness ever preserve me. 13 For all about me are evils beyond count; my sins so overcome me I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head; my courage fails me.

Psalm 41:4-5
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed, allays the malady when they are ill. 5 Once I prayed, "LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, I have sinned against you.

Psalm 51:3-5
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense. 4 Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me. 5 For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.

Psalm 62:8
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Psalm 69:5
More numerous than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause. Too many for my strength are my treacherous enemies. Must I now restore what I did not steal? 6 God, you know my folly; my faults are not hidden from you.

Psalm 119:66-67
Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to your promise.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 21:2
All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts.

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man.

Proverbs 30:32
If you have foolishly been proud or presumptuous--put your hand on your mouth; 33 For the stirring of milk brings forth curds, and the stirring of anger brings forth blood.