- Date posted
- 2y
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
Try and remember that thoughts are just thoughts- in and of themselves they are not good or bad- thinking something is not the same as doing it. Thats the first thing. Second- ERP teaches you not to give into the compulsion when you have OCD. Thats because when you give into the compulsions you are inadvertently strengthening the fear- you are basically telling your brain that there was an actual danger when there wasn't. It is a faulty alarm system that is going off in your brain. The idea is that you sit in uncertainty- maybe this is a sin, maybe it isn't- I find it helpful to recognize (not as a compulsion) that God knows our intents, our hearts, even when we doubt them. Hope this helps. Seeing a ERP therapist would really help you to better develop specific ERP surrounding your obsessions and compulsions.
- Date posted
- 2y
I have scrupulosity too and struggle with this. The sermon on the mount really enforces my thought action fusion. Christ said if we think about adultery then we are adulterous. To me that verifies that just having that thought makes me guilty of the sin. Then I find myself feeling guilty and heavy burdened by my horrid wretched self. But as Christians this feeling shouldn’t be there we live under Grace so there is no condemnation for us. With scrupulosity we tend to feel like we still live under the law but we are saved through Christ and our sins/thoughts/compulsions are forgiven for He paid the price. One thing I have to go back to again and again is the scriptures tell us not to judge well that’s not just others we shouldn’t judge ourselves either. God loves us and because we have a harder path then most our reward will be greater then most when we complete our mission. Remember we can’t be perfect and God knows this that is why Christ came and redeemed us all through His sacrifice.
- Date posted
- 2y
Yes I agree with Stacy. Our God understands we are dust. He understands our battle to not give into our compulsions because he literally experienced it too when He was here. The focus we need is not to think "Is giving into this compulsion mean my thought is true?". That turns our eyes onto us and away from Christ. Compulsions are rooted in fear, they are completely different from how we fight actual sin and temptation. In my compulsions there are always red flags of a choking anxiety, a "I HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT NOW" drive, and a lot of fear. Not so with real sin. Remember in those moments, when your compulsions scream for relief, who God is. What is his heart towards you in that moment, when that thought lands on you? How does He look at you in that moment, as His child? Fight the lies with truth. Be brave. Move in His grace through the uncertainty to not do your compulsion.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
If you are having to do a compulsion to address a thought, is that a wanted thought? I don’t know maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. Having a thought means nothing more than having a thought. It is not a wishful experience but rather a human experience.
Related posts
- Date posted
- 21w
OCD has decided to latch onto my religion (Christianity) and I find myself doubting my belief in Jesus Christ. Yet when I research, I even find myself doubting the atheistic and agnostic approach as well. I’ve been a Christian since I was 13, growing up in a non-Christian in truth but nominally Christian household. This is rough. Any advice?
- Date posted
- 10w
I used to have religious OCD. Still kinda do. Accidentally thought something bad about God once, panicked thought something bad about the Holy Spirit. Fell into doom. This was recently after recomitting myself to Christ. Since then I pretty much gave up. Unfortunately, it also led to me compromising my morals many times because I figured I was going to hell anyway. I wish I knew what OCD was then. I think it would have saved me a lot of pain. I no longer have a relationship with God, and fear I never will again.
- Date posted
- 10w
I am a christian guy who grew up in a christian community and family. For as long as i remember, ive had horrible thoughts about all kinds of things that i dont know where to begin. Due to my extreme thoughts, i feel as if i am unworthy of practicing my religioin, such as praying, reading, meditating, etc. I feel ashamed when i go to church, as if i dont belong there because i feel like i am secretely evil, and that God knows i am evil and i am committing blasphemy by going there, and refusing to "repent", from my thoughts. But then again, my thoughts are just thoughts, sure. So whats the problem? - The problem is that in my faith, i have been taught that we must control our thoughts, so they do not get power over us to make us commit sin. Such as "If you think lustfully about a woman, you have already committed adultery with her in your heart". This verse has killed my self esteem, due to the constant unwanted sexual and disturbing thoughts. It makes me feel like a monster, who secretely just wants to abuse and be horrible to people, even though i know very well i do not want this. Sometimes i think horrible things about the people i love very much, such as my girlfriend. It feels so wrong and evil, even though i know it isnt my true will.
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