It is written:
Exodus 20:3-You shall have no other gods before Me.
David L. Simmons was a firm believer in the “A.A.” (Alcoholics Anonymous) program. He spent years in A.A., sponsored many people, and was a firm believer in the “Big Book” (i.e., the primary text of A.A.). He did not believe in the God of the Bible, but instead prayed to nature as a form of pantheistic religion.
Then, his eyes were gradually opened as he studied the New Testament and listened to a preacher out of Tennessee. He began to realize one of the greatest deceptions of A.A.: “god as you conceive him.”
You see, one of the foundational twelve steps of A.A. Is that famous second step:
“(We) came to believe that Power (whatever we conceived it to be) greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
Several people that I have worked with over the years who were firm believers in Alcoholics Anonymous explained to me that they could follow any god which they desired. Some in my jail ministry have even told me that they can believe in the door locks in jail as their god!
Well, look what Simmons writes:
“We find these same thoughts from Bill W: “Those having religious affiliations will find nothing here disturbing to their beliefs or ceremonies. There is no friction among us over such matters.” 12 Whatever god you serve or spiritual path you are on, bring those convictions to AA because there are many paths to God, or so they say. The essential thought is that whatever god you choose to believe in, that path to that god is right for you. This line of reasoning is more evident in another text by Bill W. in which he writes, “We took AA’s Twelve Steps over to the largest Buddhist monastery in this province. We showed them to the priest at the head of it. After he had finished looking over the Twelve Steps, the monk said, ‘Why, these are fine! Since we as Buddhists don’t understand god just as you do, it might be slightly more acceptable if you inserted the word “good” in your steps instead of “God.” Nevertheless, you say in these steps that it is God, as you understand Him. That clears up the point for us. Yes, AA’s Twelve Steps will certainly be accepted by the Buddhists around here.’” 13 The ambiguity of the AA steps allows a Buddhist priest to readily accept them. If you’re just an AA member, then this probably doesn’t mean a whole lot to you. If you’re an AA member who also professes to be a Christian, then this should greatly concern you. AA’s errant message originated with Bill W., whose “writing and speaking would be characterized by a continuing refusal to introduce Christian doctrine to AA.” 14 Bill W. and several of his followers also had a disturbing ritual of trying to contact the spirits of the dead. The Bible repeatedly warns against this practice (Leviticus 19: 31, 20: 6, 27, Deuteronomy 18: 10, 11), yet Bill’s contention was that “the mystery could, and should, be removed from mysticism … benefits of mysticism could be available to everyone … The Wilsons and the Smiths don’t seem to have seen any conflict between their belief in God and a curiosity about the world of the spirits. When the Smiths were visiting the Wilsons … they joined Bill and Lois in the séances …” 15”. (David L. Simmons, Christianity and Alcoholics Anonymous: Competing or Compatible?: A.A. Weighed and Measured Through the Scales of Scripture, 17-18 (Kindle Edition); Bloomington, IN; WestBow Press)
There is only one true God, yet A.A. Encourages people to follow and serve any god which they please.
Christian, you cannot support this belief and be true to the Word of God.
“AA’s 12-Step program (and the others patterned after it) opens the door to the occult by introducing members to a generic “god.” Step 2 says, “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” Step 3 continues, “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to God as we [Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Mormon, Catholic, agnostic, et al.] understood Him.” As in Masonry, any false god will do. Obviously, a willingness to submit to and trust in Al Gore’s Higher Power “by whatever name” provides Satan and his minions with a perfect front for their influence and activity. Satan is not an atheist. He knows that God exists and he wants to take His place and to be worshiped by mankind. To that end, he encourages belief in a “higher power” in order to turn men from the true God to himself. Satan knows that all people have a sense of alienation from God and that the Holy Spirit is wooing mankind to Himself. What better way for Satan to prevent such reconciliation with the true God through Christ than to effect a pseudo-reconciliation with a counterfeit higher power?” (Dave Hunt, Occult Invasion: The Subtle Seduction of the World and Church, 6047-6056 (Kindle Edition); Bend, OR; The Berean Call)
It is true that some of the Twelve Steps of A.A. Are based on Scriptural truths; but it is also the case that in regard to God, there is a serious issue.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
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