If you want to crack one of those old safes with a numerical code, and someone suggests you use the code (the sequence of numbers to dial) to open the safe, you need to use the code to open the safe, and you need to use the code exactly as instructed. You are entitled to try to wing it, and see if you can crack it yourself, but that would be foolish. The code is the code and does not admit variation. It is like that with the Steps. One is at liberty not to take the suggestion to take the Twelve Steps, but if one takes the suggestion, it is nonsense to suggest that the individual components are suggested. The deal is suggested, but, if the deal is accepted, it cannot be varied.