Struggling With Intrusive Thoughts

[Hermit7]

Greetings all,

I've been doing decently well with my scrupulosity (which is intrusive religious thoughts).

Usually I'm able to ignore most of it, but just today, I have been having some short bouts with it.

Like for instance:

1.) I was buying a strawberry plant and after I was in the process of paying for it, I had a thought that if I walked out the door that would be confirmation that I gave up my salvation. Despite that thought, I went out the door anyway. But then I paniced in my mind and went back in the door to show God that I didn't mean it.

Now I'm afraid to even plant that plant outside, because it would prove that I didn't "want" God.

2.) I enjoy writing. I even did some writing today. But later in the evening, I was thinking about writing more and then the thought came up, "I don't want you God". I regretted it the moment it came out. I even later on asked God for His forgiveness and that I did want Him.

Now I'm afraid to do any writing (besides email and on forums) lest it really meant that I'm choosing writing over God (and therefore over my own salvation).

Help me. Does anyone here have advice?

-Hermit

[Toner44]

Greetings all,

I've been doing decently well with my scrupulosity (which is intrusive religious thoughts).

Usually I'm able to ignore most of it, but just today, I have been having some short bouts with it.

Like for instance:

1.) I was buying a strawberry plant and after I was in the process of paying for it, I had a thought that if I walked out the door that would be confirmation that I gave up my salvation. Despite that thought, I went out the door anyway. But then I paniced in my mind and went back in the door to show God that I didn't mean it.

Now I'm afraid to even plant that plant outside, because it would prove that I didn't "want" God.

2.) I enjoy writing. I even did some writing today. But later in the evening, I was thinking about writing more and then the thought came up, "I don't want you God". I regretted it the moment it came out. I even later on asked God for His forgiveness and that I did want Him.

Now I'm afraid to do any writing (besides email and on forums) lest it really meant that I'm choosing writing over God (and therefore over my own salvation).

Help me. Does anyone here have advice?

-Hermit

Hermit,

It sounds like the devil is really trying to disrupt your life with lies and false ultimatums. I've suffered from this too. These thoughts are meant to cause you torment and stand as a blockade from having a rewarding relationship with Jesus Christ. I'll remind you that all of this is working by God's agenda and glory. I believe it is very likely that God is trying to replace fear and uncertainty with confidence. (Confidence you can only have through faith)

These lies may seem real and your body may feel a sense of urgency but I'll remind you to ignore your feelings. Sometimes we have to steer the ship even when the waves and storm make it very difficult to see. That doesn't mean we're gambling. Suffice it to say, that behind all of that storm and crushing waves is your savior Jesus Christ. Be certain of that when steering the ship through rough waters.

If you feel God is calling you into prayer consider praying that the sin that brought this chaos about be forgiven and that the Holy Spirit bring that sin to your attention.

You'll be in my prayers hermit.

- Toner

[Toner44]

And Gods not waiting with baited breath to see if you walk back into the store. I can understand the panic because I've been there and it feels real.

God is a very practical God. Anytime we sin we step outside of the purpose margin God has created for us. Its to ensure our happiness, not to punish us.

Focus all of that guilt and uncertainty into your prayer life. The thoughts may not go away as soon as you'd hope but eventually that fear and panic will be replaced with confidence and it will be just a small fly buzzing by your face that you can swat away.

[Toner44]

If I could go back and say one thing to myself when I was going through this a couple years ago I would say this: Ignoring those thoughts doesn't mean you don't care about God. Quite the opposite. Those thoughts they're giving you are dishonoring God and they're trying to trivialize God.

If He doesn't take it seriously neither should you.

[turtledove]

This is the way the devil operates for sure by jumping, slipping, or creeping into our thought life. When this happens to me and it can happen compulsively out of the blue or when I have felt rejected, disappointed, extremely tired, or stressed out. I try to dash those thoughts against the Rock which is Christ. Okay to call the master of lies (the devil) the liar he is and tell him to go away.

Using the Name of Jesus is powerful..There is victory in that. Or I should say that the victory has already been won in that when Christ conquered the enemy by dying on the cross.

And also focusing on the following scripture ALWAYS helps me whether I am having intrusive thoughts or not..

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

[Vanderhoven7]

Advice - yes!

Don't receive any nonsense for one second.

God knows your heart. None of your failures surprises Him...and yet He still loves you.

Plant that plant with praise and thanksgiving in the name of Jesus.

Renounce every thought that you know is not godly and immediately counter with the opposite sentiment in the name of Jesus.

Have a hearty laugh...because greater is He that is for you and in you, than he that is in the world.

That's called resisting the devil.

[ebed]

The first thing that you need to do is do an inventory of all the outside imformation coming through via the "gates", i.e., "Eye gate", "Ear gate"etc. Most of what is blamed on Satan today is simply the "Flesh", which is a nature that we aill have as long as we are in this body. So we are called to test the Information thatwe let into our life. Test every Spirit. Do Not, I repeat, Do Not subject yourself to Temptation, and I do not have to remind you that it is everywhere today! And when these intrusive thoughts do come, Always Remember " Resist tSatan and he will flee from you" This is a Very very Important "Command" since if Temptation does come, by Not Resisting, you must admit to yourself that it is Your' Choice to comit this Sin! As our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us, Sin starts with a decision to Not Obey our Lord and Gods' Commandment! But again I will tell you, Begin by systematically cutting out All the Temptations that make it to you as possible! Can you see that by this, you must first make the Decision to conform to our Gods' Commands! One of the largest problems in The Body of Jesus Christ that I see, is that we have confined many of The Words teachings to some "Catchy", "Intelectual sounding", "Popular", Interpretation made by some "Popular" teacher or translation! And the Living Supernatural Words of God Almighty, are not allowed to be Interpreted by The Holy Spirit, as is Commanded in Scripture! All the "new" translations by trying to make Gods Words "Easy" to understand have actually Murdered Gods' Very Word!!! If you do not treat yourself to an accurate, Word to Word translation of Unadulterated manuscripts, such as The Authorised Version, in English, You will further Limit the extent that Gods' Word can help you.

[Traveler]

Well you are not alone in this, I have had to deal with people where they are too scared to cough in case they make someone die.

This is a form of demonic attack that is leading towards a recruitment into occult lines. What these demons are doing is trying to train you like a dog. Remember Jesus was also tempted, he countered it by quoting scripture back and refusing to give the devil a single inch of ground.

This battle is mental, it is a type of temptations that are being placed before you, on your part you are called to resist. I suggest you lay off the computer games and TV for a while. Also this kind of thing often comes as a result of someone who is already in the occult directing these demons towards you. So take a second look at the social circle you walk in.

[TRAVlS]

Hey Hermit. The devil used to torment me with thoughts similar to yours. I would have negative thoughts about God, come to mind, and I felt so terrible about it. The truth is, God knows our hearts. I am no longer bound by this at all. I actually forgot all about it until I read your post. My advice to you is to read the word of God because it is truth. Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Feel free to message me if you want to talk more.

[DDGresham1]

Greetings all,

I've been doing decently well with my scrupulosity (which is intrusive religious thoughts).

Usually I'm able to ignore most of it, but just today, I have been having some short bouts with it.

Like for instance:

1.) I was buying a strawberry plant and after I was in the process of paying for it, I had a thought that if I walked out the door that would be confirmation that I gave up my salvation. Despite that thought, I went out the door anyway. But then I paniced in my mind and went back in the door to show God that I didn't mean it.

Now I'm afraid to even plant that plant outside, because it would prove that I didn't "want" God.

2.) I enjoy writing. I even did some writing today. But later in the evening, I was thinking about writing more and then the thought came up, "I don't want you God". I regretted it the moment it came out. I even later on asked God for His forgiveness and that I did want Him.

Now I'm afraid to do any writing (besides email and on forums) lest it really meant that I'm choosing writing over God (and therefore over my own salvation).

Help me. Does anyone here have advice?

-Hermit

Hermit,

Don't sweat it. God loves still loves you. Do you feel the spirit? Do you want to love God and love others? If you answered yes to these then you are good to go. Hang in there.

[Dani H]

Help me. Does anyone here have advice?

-Hermit

Yes.

God knows you better than you think you know yourself.

He's not tormenting you ... you're doing it to yourself. He doesn't have half the issue with you that you have with yourself. He's not the least bit scared of you and your thoughts either.

You can trust Him, mate.

Seriously.

Turn yourself over to Him, fully, and let HIM do the judging. He's a lot better at it. And by that I mean that you're not good at it at all. But that's okay. He already knows that too.