Step 8 Bible Verses on Forgiveness and Willingness
The key Bible verse for Step 8 is Luke 6:31, the Golden Rule: treat others the way you would want to be treated. The rest of the verses below deal with the two things that make this step hard: facing the harm you did, and forgiving the harm done to you.
Step 8 in the 1939 wording reads: “Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.” These passages help with both halves.
Luke 6:31: the Golden Rule
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Jesus gives a simple test. If someone had hurt you the way you hurt the people on your list, what would you want from them? Probably a plain admission and an effort to make it right. That is what you are getting willing to give.
Colossians 3:13: forgive as you were forgiven
“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
A lot of names on an amends list come with a grudge attached. Paul doesn’t say to wait until they apologize. He points to how the Lord forgave us, and says do the same.
Ephesians 4:31-32: put the bitterness down
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Bitterness, wrath and anger: these were the fuel for much of the drinking. Paul says to put them away and replace them with kindness. That trade is what makes Step 8 possible.
Romans 12:18: as much as it depends on you
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
This verse frees you from controlling the outcome. Some people will not forgive you. Some will never want to hear from you. Your part is to be willing and to do what is yours to do.
Matthew 6:14-15: forgiveness goes both ways
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
These are strong words, and they are meant to be. Holding onto someone’s offense while asking God to overlook ours doesn’t work. If a name on your list is stuck, this is often why.
Psalm 139:23-24: show me what I missed
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
When you think the list is done, pray this. Ask God to bring to mind anyone you left off. Then wait. Names often come back over the next few days.
Luke 19:8: what willingness looks like
“And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.””
Zacchaeus met Jesus and wanted to set right what he had taken. Nobody forced him. That is the change Step 8 is after: a heart that wants to repair what it broke.
Using these verses with your list
Read one verse before each session of list-writing. Keep Colossians 3:13 nearby for the names that come with resentment. When you finish, pray Psalm 139:23-24 and ask for anyone you missed.
Then work through the Step 8 questions, and read the full step on the Step 8 page.
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