Beware OCD sufferers before taking advice. (Scriptural Admonishment)

[Griswold]

Dealing with OCD is a sensitive issue and those struggling with it are in a vulnerable state. As Satan waited for Jesus to be weakened (Matthew 4:2-3) he also would use this as an opportune time to take advantage of my fellow OCD sufferers. There are some brothers and sisters in Christ who are here to support you in these forums, building you up in truth in Christ. There are also some that are simply misguided but their are some, if we heed the warning of the bible (Matthew 7:15), that would lead you astray.

So how can you tell the difference? How can you "test the spirits" as 1 John 4:1 warns us about?

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1​

1.) Is what they are saying backed up biblically? Is what they are saying backed by the truth of scripture. I say the "truth" of scripture because the enemy will often misquote and misappropriate scriptures.

2.) Is the person displaying wisdom from above as stated in James 3:17?

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. - James 3:17
​

One I've seen lacking in those who intend to mislead is they are not "open to reason" as stated in the above verse but rather they want to push their idea onto you. Then, when countered with scripture accurately they do not reason as one seeking the truth but rather redirect...just like Satan did (Matthew 4:3-8).

3.) What fruit do they bear?

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. - Matthew 7:15-20​

Jesus said you will know a tree by it's fruit. If they bear bad fruit, they are a bad tree, therefore DO NOT listen to their council. "But can't they still have something to offer that's good?" NO! Notice Jesus stated a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

 

[Larniavc]

Or get some CBT.

Evidence based treatment that can dramatically improve the quality of life by limiting the symptoms as much as is practicable.

 

[EmmaCat]

I think things like this are best addressed by medical doctors and professional counsellors. I would say not to advise on things like this, but instead, encourage the person to get medical help and pray for them.

All good things
Emmy

 

[gerbilwoman]

OCD is a mental illness, I don't believe it has anything to do with the devil.

 

[EmmaCat]

Any bad posts should be reported to staff.

 

[Griswold]

Any bad posts should be reported to staff.

A good practice for these forums indeed. Biblical teachings are useful for life application beyond these forums.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

As someone with ocd I would say that given the fact that medication and therapy can't cure it, that there needs to be a spiritual component focused on as a tool to recovery as well. There are usually two camps here one for medication and therapy the other for just prayer and speaking in tongues or any other spiritual gift to deal with it. But you need to use both to get the best outcome. You cant just expect a pill to do it or prayer but use both is my advice.

 

[gerbilwoman]

To be clear, I'm NOT addressing the cause of OCD NOR am I addressing treatment for OCD. If you re-read the original post, I'm addressing my brothers and sisters in Christ of which the enemy may want to take advantage of in their struggles to inject into them false teachings.

The bible very clearly warns us of our enemy (1 Peter 5:8). I'm simply intending to encourage those with OCD with the same encouragement already written in the bible; to not accept all teachings and advice from others without first testing them as the bible also instructs us to do (1 John 4:1). I have a heart for Christians who suffer and I'm admonishing them in what's already written in the bible.

Again, I'm NOT addressing the cause of OCD nor am I giving advice on it's treatment. There's many good posts in this forum from Christians on that already.

Unfortunately there are also bad posts on these forums as well. My intent is to equip the Christian with biblical, real-life application on how to tell which is which.

Thank you for clearing that up.