Has anyone suffered from religious OCD?
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Here are some of them from Focus on the Family.
- Intrusive negative thoughts about religion or moral issues.
- Needless guilt and fear about offending God or committing sin.
- Fear of God’s punishment.
- Concern about misinterpreting religious teachings.
- Fear of going to the “wrong” place of worship.
- Constant self-examination.
- Doubt about whether your ethical choices truly are for the greater good.
- Fixation over whether you’re a “good” person.
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Oh I battle these things daily. I hate my reflection in the mirror. Then I remember hey this isn't me I'm a new creature in Christ Jesus.
He's begun a good work in me. In fact the old is washed away, and he's faithful to finish the work.
If we could fix ourselves well who would need a savior. Truth is we can't fix ourselves. Now I'm not telling anyone that a bit of self discipline is not needed...it is. But to obsess over the above mentioned only wares you down.
Waring down creates doubt. Now who wants you to doubt? Not God.
Jesus knew this would happen and ask us to cast those burdens on him. In return he will give you rest. The word burdens is actually annoying anxieties.
We are sometimes our worst judge of ourselves.we know our little secrets, motives, thoughts, but so does God. So he starts with the heart. He is able to fix that if we allow him.
Just think before you knew the Lord none of this mattered. We made excuses for our actions now we take caution in our words and deeds.
Praise God he's working.
He's begun a good work in me. In fact the old is washed away, and he's faithful to finish the work.
If we could fix ourselves well who would need a savior. Truth is we can't fix ourselves. Now I'm not telling anyone that a bit of self discipline is not needed...it is. But to obsess over the above mentioned only wares you down.
Waring down creates doubt. Now who wants you to doubt? Not God.
Jesus knew this would happen and ask us to cast those burdens on him. In return he will give you rest. The word burdens is actually annoying anxieties.
We are sometimes our worst judge of ourselves.we know our little secrets, motives, thoughts, but so does God. So he starts with the heart. He is able to fix that if we allow him.
Just think before you knew the Lord none of this mattered. We made excuses for our actions now we take caution in our words and deeds.
Praise God he's working.
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Religious OCD is likely not what you experience. Some of these things may be common for many people, but for people with Religious OCD it's taken to a whole new level.
These are not just bothersome thoughts. These thoughts are consuming. When speaking to someone with this condition you have to be careful with spiritual topics. Saying something totally innocent to you can send then spiraling for minutes, hours or even days with uncontrollable fear and worry.
When they're experiencing these spells they may ask someone around them to reassure them of whatever fear they're experiencing.
This may help some, but typically you just have to wait it out.
I knew someone who had it and it was a nightmare for them.
These are not just bothersome thoughts. These thoughts are consuming. When speaking to someone with this condition you have to be careful with spiritual topics. Saying something totally innocent to you can send then spiraling for minutes, hours or even days with uncontrollable fear and worry.
When they're experiencing these spells they may ask someone around them to reassure them of whatever fear they're experiencing.
This may help some, but typically you just have to wait it out.
I knew someone who had it and it was a nightmare for them.
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I call it OCB
Man calls it disorder
I call it behavior
Once any person chooses to beleive God in risen Son for them. It is a can of worms that get opened to them
Man people interfering, people end not listening to God only in them for them, wanting only what is best for them.
I must, I must, I must or else. And so people do as told, to be saved and stay saved by God for them. OCB
Now see what Paul is talking about in Romans 7, read-re-read and re-read again and again
Actually read the entire book of Romans one bit at a time, and trust Father God of risen Son to reveal truth over error to you in Love to you, unconditionally. Read all the Epistles and hear truth over error that Father places in us in love and ,mercy given us, undeservingly
God does just love us all, each person individually above it all. personally
therefore, Father God the Father of risen Son Jesus is waiting for you to choose to go to God and hear truth of God over error in this world we are in.
And sincerely hear God just loves you, as you might say, BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God says to you my Son for you took away all sin from my sight. So, we can have a talk without behavior in the way.
Man continues in under Law to do to get to be saved and to stay saved, this makes God Father and Son Tyrants, you did it wrong you got to be punished for your behavior or rewarded. That is religion that has got in the way of the truth of God Father's love for us all
By this love and mercy, I see to stand in thanksgiving and praise, no longer focused on whether I sin again or not. What??????????????????????
Yeah, you being made aware of sin is great. To continue to focus on whether or not you sin again or not is not good for you, why????????????? that is what brings sin out of people, and you are in that trap too, under Law Romans 7:10. You are finding out what under Law does and is doing to you too.
How to get out from under Law, to Holding up Law, because Law is good, and perfect of itself. yet as soon as I step into it, I either sin again or not. If I see I do not sin again, I get proud and act as if a better person than others (Luke 18:9-14) The Law was never put in place for us to behave, no one can perfectly. Yet can in some and others not. As you are seeing and not wanting to be in you anymore.
Thank you, now turn to Father in prayer in you and ask Daddy, how to get this under Law gone, that is besetting you, trying to not do it again, Sin takes occasion by the command to not sin.
God will reveal God's grace through risen Son to you, as you, I see will not quit inquiring to know truth over error. The truth will and is setting you free, you trusting God to save you, not trusting Law to get it. No one can, trust Father to take the place of law of religion.
First, Son came to earth through Mary of the tribe of Judah to fulfill the Law of Moses and the prophets that prophesied of his coming all over the first (Old) Testament.
Matthew 5:17 states this fact why he came. Was not to destroy Law, was to fulfill Law
The law is still in place after his one time willing death for us all. (John 19:30)Those in belief come to see growth in them given them to see from Father by risen son to them
All sin has now gotten taken away by Son Jesus for them (John 1:29)
This got done, Son separated sin and death for us to now go freely to Father in prayer and ask for the new life in the risen Son offered to all. Those that sincerely ask, get this imputed in them to not be under Law, these see to uphold Law as good. these in this love and mercy given them fulfill Law, Love of God fulfills Law all Law, as Love of God is the greatest of all law(s)
Trusting you to see as Father reveals what is needed to get revealed to you. Thank you
Man calls it disorder
I call it behavior
Once any person chooses to beleive God in risen Son for them. It is a can of worms that get opened to them
Man people interfering, people end not listening to God only in them for them, wanting only what is best for them.
I must, I must, I must or else. And so people do as told, to be saved and stay saved by God for them. OCB
Now see what Paul is talking about in Romans 7, read-re-read and re-read again and again
Actually read the entire book of Romans one bit at a time, and trust Father God of risen Son to reveal truth over error to you in Love to you, unconditionally. Read all the Epistles and hear truth over error that Father places in us in love and ,mercy given us, undeservingly
God does just love us all, each person individually above it all. personally
therefore, Father God the Father of risen Son Jesus is waiting for you to choose to go to God and hear truth of God over error in this world we are in.
And sincerely hear God just loves you, as you might say, BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God says to you my Son for you took away all sin from my sight. So, we can have a talk without behavior in the way.
Man continues in under Law to do to get to be saved and to stay saved, this makes God Father and Son Tyrants, you did it wrong you got to be punished for your behavior or rewarded. That is religion that has got in the way of the truth of God Father's love for us all
By this love and mercy, I see to stand in thanksgiving and praise, no longer focused on whether I sin again or not. What??????????????????????
Yeah, you being made aware of sin is great. To continue to focus on whether or not you sin again or not is not good for you, why????????????? that is what brings sin out of people, and you are in that trap too, under Law Romans 7:10. You are finding out what under Law does and is doing to you too.
How to get out from under Law, to Holding up Law, because Law is good, and perfect of itself. yet as soon as I step into it, I either sin again or not. If I see I do not sin again, I get proud and act as if a better person than others (Luke 18:9-14) The Law was never put in place for us to behave, no one can perfectly. Yet can in some and others not. As you are seeing and not wanting to be in you anymore.
Thank you, now turn to Father in prayer in you and ask Daddy, how to get this under Law gone, that is besetting you, trying to not do it again, Sin takes occasion by the command to not sin.
God will reveal God's grace through risen Son to you, as you, I see will not quit inquiring to know truth over error. The truth will and is setting you free, you trusting God to save you, not trusting Law to get it. No one can, trust Father to take the place of law of religion.
First, Son came to earth through Mary of the tribe of Judah to fulfill the Law of Moses and the prophets that prophesied of his coming all over the first (Old) Testament.
Matthew 5:17 states this fact why he came. Was not to destroy Law, was to fulfill Law
The law is still in place after his one time willing death for us all. (John 19:30)Those in belief come to see growth in them given them to see from Father by risen son to them
All sin has now gotten taken away by Son Jesus for them (John 1:29)
This got done, Son separated sin and death for us to now go freely to Father in prayer and ask for the new life in the risen Son offered to all. Those that sincerely ask, get this imputed in them to not be under Law, these see to uphold Law as good. these in this love and mercy given them fulfill Law, Love of God fulfills Law all Law, as Love of God is the greatest of all law(s)
Trusting you to see as Father reveals what is needed to get revealed to you. Thank you
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For the Christian, these thoughts should generally be considered a problem. For the non-Christian, most of them should be considered necessary to bring the person to repentance.
The last one is easy: you’re not. Get over it. That’s true for everyone and is why we need Jesus. When you entrust judgment to him, you cease worrying about it.
The last one is easy: you’re not. Get over it. That’s true for everyone and is why we need Jesus. When you entrust judgment to him, you cease worrying about it.
I'm going to take a contrary position, just for the purpose of suggesting we think more deeply on the topic.
1.) I think everything in this list is reasonable, IF it is kept in some kind of balance with other principles.
2.) None of these things are, in themselves, inherently evil if kept in some kind of perspective.
3.) I think the problem is when these things become inflated, and they unbalance everything else to the point they begin to cause harm.
4.) In OCD, many things which can be "obsessed" over, are often normal things to worry about. The problem is when the obsession becomes unbalanced, inflated, and begins to cause harm.
5.) That's all I have to say: I think that none of these things are inherently evil UNTIL they move into the category of OBSESSION, and UNREASONABLE CONCERN... and then they become unbalanced, and cause harm.
Conclusion:
a.) I didn't write this to contradict or argue with any of the nice people posting in this thread.
b.) Everyone in this thread is just trying to be kind, and offer good advice.
c.) I'm just suggesting we think more deeply about these things, and strive for a balanced view; OCD afterall is essentially about things becoming unbalanced and disproportionate.
God Bless.
1.) I think everything in this list is reasonable, IF it is kept in some kind of balance with other principles.
2.) None of these things are, in themselves, inherently evil if kept in some kind of perspective.
3.) I think the problem is when these things become inflated, and they unbalance everything else to the point they begin to cause harm.
4.) In OCD, many things which can be "obsessed" over, are often normal things to worry about. The problem is when the obsession becomes unbalanced, inflated, and begins to cause harm.
5.) That's all I have to say: I think that none of these things are inherently evil UNTIL they move into the category of OBSESSION, and UNREASONABLE CONCERN... and then they become unbalanced, and cause harm.
Conclusion:
a.) I didn't write this to contradict or argue with any of the nice people posting in this thread.
b.) Everyone in this thread is just trying to be kind, and offer good advice.
c.) I'm just suggesting we think more deeply about these things, and strive for a balanced view; OCD afterall is essentially about things becoming unbalanced and disproportionate.
God Bless.
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Never forgetting the meaning of God's Name, which is Holy so there's never even a nanosecond that it is not True. He revealed it Himself as "I Am" and that meaning "Was, Is, and Always Will Be." In the fire, in the wind, in the Spirit, and who can contain Him? Any moment that I find myself experiencing restlessness, I ask that He bring back to my mind, that, "I Am Here (even Now, even Then)."
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1. condense these all together, & you come up with FEAR.
2Tim 1:7
New King James Version
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
New American Standard Bible
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
I would seriously question that person's salvation, for they lack a personal relationship with Christ that grants them steadfastness.
1 John 4:18
New King James Version
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
New American Standard Bible
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
I would question their salvation also because apparently God's love isn't present.
2. Stay away from Focus On the Family, for they have changed their standards several times thru the years.
2Tim 1:7
New King James Version
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
New American Standard Bible
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
I would seriously question that person's salvation, for they lack a personal relationship with Christ that grants them steadfastness.
1 John 4:18
New King James Version
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
New American Standard Bible
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
I would question their salvation also because apparently God's love isn't present.
2. Stay away from Focus On the Family, for they have changed their standards several times thru the years.
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Sounds like Something Satan would put in the Mind of a Carnal Christian ---fear --doubts and more fear and doubts of who your Following -----OCD comes from Satan not God ------God gives you PEACE OF MIND
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I was going to say something .. and read 'Sounds like Something Satan would put in the Mind of a Carnal Christian "
Amen..
Well as far back as I can remember 3-4 years old.. I do not like being told you can not do that.. no one can do that. I can. Well bold haha and one can look at that as very foolish but I can through the king of kings lord of lords. There is nothing that is impossible for us that believe in trust in Jesus Christ who also is in us. We can do all things through Jesus Christ. HAHA I just now noticed the song playing "My Jesus.. let me tell you about my Jesus"
So its not what the world says or a name. Its the blood of Jesus Christ who died and rose. When He died we died when He rose we rose..do you know what that means? I had a Doctor that cut out this hard lump on my chest and said "you might be the one in a thousand" you know that it could be cancer or worse. No.. I don't receive that in Jesus name.. It will not be as she said. No never has been.
Christ said my sheep know my voice they do not hear listen to the voice of a stranger. So I will think on these things "Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. "
If doubt comes.. I speak His word.. faith. If fear comes I speak His word.. no God has not given me the spirit of fear but of power and love and a "sound mind". Whom YOU the Son has set free IS free indeed. Remember there are so many thoughts we get every day that never once came from God. Its when we take that thought and play with it so to speak that it becomes ours and the enemy can then act.
When someone tells you about something they found out about themselves "I did pray and nothing changed it wont help". Oh my .. the song playing "God only knows what you've been through" what are the odds. God loves us so much.. when we tell Him that can do anything "what is to hard for the lord GOD said to Sarah". I love this.. you don't have any problems all you need is faith in God.
Amen..
Well as far back as I can remember 3-4 years old.. I do not like being told you can not do that.. no one can do that. I can. Well bold haha and one can look at that as very foolish but I can through the king of kings lord of lords. There is nothing that is impossible for us that believe in trust in Jesus Christ who also is in us. We can do all things through Jesus Christ. HAHA I just now noticed the song playing "My Jesus.. let me tell you about my Jesus"
So its not what the world says or a name. Its the blood of Jesus Christ who died and rose. When He died we died when He rose we rose..do you know what that means? I had a Doctor that cut out this hard lump on my chest and said "you might be the one in a thousand" you know that it could be cancer or worse. No.. I don't receive that in Jesus name.. It will not be as she said. No never has been.
Christ said my sheep know my voice they do not hear listen to the voice of a stranger. So I will think on these things "Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. "
If doubt comes.. I speak His word.. faith. If fear comes I speak His word.. no God has not given me the spirit of fear but of power and love and a "sound mind". Whom YOU the Son has set free IS free indeed. Remember there are so many thoughts we get every day that never once came from God. Its when we take that thought and play with it so to speak that it becomes ours and the enemy can then act.
When someone tells you about something they found out about themselves "I did pray and nothing changed it wont help". Oh my .. the song playing "God only knows what you've been through" what are the odds. God loves us so much.. when we tell Him that can do anything "what is to hard for the lord GOD said to Sarah". I love this.. you don't have any problems all you need is faith in God.
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Idk if I would call any of that a disorder.
-If no one ever had "intrusive" thoughts about religion, there would be no religion. Christianity is inherently intrusive upon the world.
-"Needless" guilt and fear probably needs further definition.
-Fear of God's punishment is what I call being smart. Terror of God's punishment means you're being a fool and need to repent. But if somebody thinks that God would never punish anybody, or that they can play God for a fool; they are gonna get the holy smackdown and need to fear the Lord.
-Everyone ABSOLUTELY needs to have some CONCERN about interpretation. No scripture is of anyone's own interpretation. It has a meaning. We should care about what that meaning is.
-There are "places of worship" that are absolutely wrong to go to.
- Regular self-examination is good; unless we're talking about self-examination that is so obsessive that it prevents you from seeing anything else... God's grace, in particular; but also other things.
-Doubting yourself and your ethical choices is smart. God is good. Our flesh- which has an input on everything- is selfish; and in many cases bad. We are all capable of bad choices until this flesh is dead.
-"Fixation over whether you're a good person" is also in need of further definition. At the end of the day; we aren't really a "good person" we are a redeemed bad person. The question isn't if we are good or bad- the question is if we are walking in the spirit. Do we answer when called? Is what we do becoming of the saints of God? Did an unbeliever curse the name of the Lord because of our hypocrisy? Those things matter.
-If no one ever had "intrusive" thoughts about religion, there would be no religion. Christianity is inherently intrusive upon the world.
-"Needless" guilt and fear probably needs further definition.
-Fear of God's punishment is what I call being smart. Terror of God's punishment means you're being a fool and need to repent. But if somebody thinks that God would never punish anybody, or that they can play God for a fool; they are gonna get the holy smackdown and need to fear the Lord.
-Everyone ABSOLUTELY needs to have some CONCERN about interpretation. No scripture is of anyone's own interpretation. It has a meaning. We should care about what that meaning is.
-There are "places of worship" that are absolutely wrong to go to.
- Regular self-examination is good; unless we're talking about self-examination that is so obsessive that it prevents you from seeing anything else... God's grace, in particular; but also other things.
-Doubting yourself and your ethical choices is smart. God is good. Our flesh- which has an input on everything- is selfish; and in many cases bad. We are all capable of bad choices until this flesh is dead.
-"Fixation over whether you're a good person" is also in need of further definition. At the end of the day; we aren't really a "good person" we are a redeemed bad person. The question isn't if we are good or bad- the question is if we are walking in the spirit. Do we answer when called? Is what we do becoming of the saints of God? Did an unbeliever curse the name of the Lord because of our hypocrisy? Those things matter.
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