Page 84 AA Big Book 4th Edition

This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue

to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this way of living as we

cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and
effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch

for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them.

We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we

resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.

And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have re-

turned. We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame. We

react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new

attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is

the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had

been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the

problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our

experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition.

It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if

we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve

contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the
vision of God’s will into all of our activities. “How can I best serve Thee—Thy will (not mine) be done.’’
These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line
all we wish. It is the proper use of the will.

Much has already been said about receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from Him who

has all knowledge and power. If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow

of His Spirit into us. To some extent we have become God-conscious. We have begun to develop this vital

sixth sense. But we must go further and that means more action.