It is the only Step you have to work perfectly. Say it with me: “We admitted that our lives had become unmanageable, and we were powerless to do anything about it.”
This Step sets the table for the next eleven. Until you work Step 1, you can’t pass “GO” and you can’t collect $200 (an ancient reference to Monopoly).
The Bible gave us Step 1 a couple thousand years before AA did. Paul wrote to the church, “You were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
“Transgressions” referred to crossing over a line. To transgress means to go over the boundaries we have agreed to. We’ve all done that.
“Sin” meant to miss the mark. Anything short of hitting the perfect mark is a “sin.” We’ve all done that.
Recovery Step: Admit it. Your life has become unmanageable. You are powerless. You have crossed the line and missed the mark.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
