Intrusive Thoughts Questioning Jesus

[Karabear10]

Hi again. I made a similar post earlier and received some very good advice but I think I've better realized my problem so I'd like to ask for more advice on it. The recurring thought that I've been having feels like it is trying to make me question Christ in every way. It keep asking me how do I know Jesus is good? And the worst is when thoughts pop into my mind telling me all Jesus did was not true. The unforgivable sin of saying that Jesus did what He did by the devil keeps coming to me. I know that it is not true and I keep having to go and listen to sermons to keep myself from worrying. I am scared that I do believe that or that I will. When I answer the questions they do not stop. Example:
"Jesus didn't do His miracles by the Holy Spirit!"
"Only God could do those things!" I say back. "And I know Jesus is the Messiah because it was prophesized!"
Then it feels like the thought evolves and becomes irrational and worse asking me things like, "well what if the whole Bible is a lie? none of it is true! You're being tricked!"

I feel so horrible about even typing those things. I know I already posted about this but I just feel so confused and scared. I want to love Jesus, not question Him. I know these things are not true but when they are flooding my mind I truly can't think straight and get scared that I am starting to question Jesus. I probably seem crazy and I'm sorry if I am coming off that way. I truly appreciate every word of encouragement from followers of Christ. And if anyone is struggling with these same things I would very much like to talk to you too, it is nice having someone to relate to.
Something else, do you think I should try and answer the thoughts or ignore them? I do try and ignore them but it bothers me. I feel like I can't pray or read my Bible if a thought is floating around in my mind against Jesus.

 

[Sabertooth]

@Karabear10, are you going to a church that is good at dealing with mental illnesses?
The worst thing you can do as a Christian with OCD is to isolate yourself from other Christians.

The Church & Mental Illness...

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi again. I made a similar post earlier and received some very good advice but I think I've better realized my problem so I'd like to ask for more advice on it. The recurring thought that I've been having feels like it is trying to make me question Christ in every way. It keep asking me how do I know Jesus is good? And the worst is when thoughts pop into my mind telling me all Jesus did was not true. The unforgivable sin of saying that Jesus did what He did by the devil keeps coming to me. I know that it is not true and I keep having to go and listen to sermons to keep myself from worrying. I am scared that I do believe that or that I will. When I answer the questions they do not stop. Example:
"Jesus didn't do His miracles by the Holy Spirit!"
"Only God could do those things!" I say back. "And I know Jesus is the Messiah because it was prophesized!"
Then it feels like the thought evolves and becomes irrational and worse asking me things like, "well what if the whole Bible is a lie? non of it is true! You're being tricked!"

I feel so horrible about even typing those things. I know I already posted about this but I just feel so confused and scared. I want to love Jesus, not question Him. I know these things are not true but when they are flooding my mind I truly can't think straight and get scared that I am starting to question Jesus. I probably seem crazy and I'm sorry if I am coming off that way. I truly appreciate every word of encouragement from followers of Christ. And if anyone is struggling with these same things I would very much like to talk to you too, it is nice having someone to relate to.
Something else, do you think I should try and answer the thoughts or ignore them? I do try and ignore them but it bothers me. I feel like I can't pray or read my Bible if a thought is floating around in my mind against Jesus.

Hello again Karabear10, what you are experiencing sounds like the devil's flaming arrows in part (see Ephesians 6:16), but it also sounds like they are being intensified by your OCD (almost like an afterburner in jet engine) to give the thoughts/feelings that you are receiving from Satan/his demons more punch (if that analogy makes sense to you?).

Biblically, we are commanded to put on all of the spiritual armor that the Lord gives us and defend against/resist Satan's attacks, but I believe that the OCD portion needs to be recognized for what it is and ignored ... because it's OCD. As a for instance, you said,

The recurring thought that I've been having feels like it is trying to make me question Christ in every way. It keep asking me how do I know Jesus is good? And the worst is when thoughts pop into my mind telling me all Jesus did was not true.

That seems pretty much like standard flaming arrow attacks from Satan (he still uses the same kind of tactic against us today that he used against our first parents in the Garden of God, starting with getting us to ~doubt~ the Lord and His word).

The unforgivable sin of saying that Jesus did what He did by the devil keeps coming to me. I know that it is not true and I keep having to go and listen to sermons to keep myself from worrying.

This "worry" could be Satan or OCD or both, but whichever it is, you knew what the truth was, fought against the lie your feelings, Satan, and/or your OCD was trying to convince you of instead, and then you strengthened yourself spiritually by renewing your mind again, which is EXACTLY what you need to continue to do

Just FYI, the fight that you are facing will hardly be an easy one, but things will get better, and the end result will be more than worth it

I am scared that I do believe that or that I will.

Now that sounds like pure OCD (to me anyway). Someone more knowledgeable about OCD than I am will (hopefully) come along in short order and help you with that.

Then it feels like the thought evolves and becomes irrational and worse asking me things like, "well what if the whole Bible is a lie? none of it is true! You're being tricked!"

And right back to Satan's flaming arrows we go As I just said above, hopefully someone who truly knows how to battle against OCD ~and~ Satan's attacks will find this thread and offer you some better advice about all of this than I am able to.

Continue to keep what He has done for you (starting at the Cross) in the forefront of your mind to help you remember how VERY much He loves and cares for you/how much He wants the very best for you. And obey these 3 commands .. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, as often as you can (even in very small ways throughout your day) to begin the practice of the presence of God in your life. As your Abba/loving Heavenly Father, He clearly wants to be part of your life

Praying for you!

God bless you!!

--David
p.s. - one last thing, while I was practicing the four, principal Christian spiritual disciplines when I was a new believer (Bible Study/Prayer/Fellowship/Witnessing), I continued to be plagued with a HORRIBLE/intrusive "thought-life" nevertheless. The spiritual discipline that I was missing, the one that finally made a BIG difference (at least in my life), was Scripture memorization.

Coming to know certain verses and passages that well will fill your mind with the most wonderful thing of all and, at the same time, begin to push those horrible feelings and stale/stinky thoughts to the backburner of your mind, and eventually, out of it altogether

I won't kid you, it isn't easy to do, but the benefits/blessings that you will receive from memorizing even a small portion of God's word will far outweigh any effort that you put into it (if you'd like to give it a try sometime, and you would like a little help getting started, just ask, as I would be happy to do so).

 

[Karabear10]

Thank you again!

 

[Karabear10]

@Karabear10, are you going to a church that is good at dealing with mental illnesses?
The worst thing you can do as a Christian with OCD is to isolate yourself from other Christians.

The Church & Mental Illness...

No. My church does not know i have these problems. My family does but its hard to explain to them the full extent of it.

 

[frank sears]

Just remember, you are not required to answer the devil, just resist him. Don't let him get you into a conversation.

 

[Sabertooth]

Just remember, you are not required to answer the devil, just resist him. Don't let him get you into a conversation.

Lies, Keith Green (1980)​

 

[Unqualified]

They are just thoughts. You can take them captive as in
2cor10:3-5.

 

[Mari17]

Hi again. I made a similar post earlier and received some very good advice but I think I've better realized my problem so I'd like to ask for more advice on it. The recurring thought that I've been having feels like it is trying to make me question Christ in every way. It keep asking me how do I know Jesus is good? And the worst is when thoughts pop into my mind telling me all Jesus did was not true. The unforgivable sin of saying that Jesus did what He did by the devil keeps coming to me. I know that it is not true and I keep having to go and listen to sermons to keep myself from worrying. I am scared that I do believe that or that I will. When I answer the questions they do not stop. Example:
"Jesus didn't do His miracles by the Holy Spirit!"
"Only God could do those things!" I say back. "And I know Jesus is the Messiah because it was prophesized!"
Then it feels like the thought evolves and becomes irrational and worse asking me things like, "well what if the whole Bible is a lie? none of it is true! You're being tricked!"

I feel so horrible about even typing those things. I know I already posted about this but I just feel so confused and scared. I want to love Jesus, not question Him. I know these things are not true but when they are flooding my mind I truly can't think straight and get scared that I am starting to question Jesus. I probably seem crazy and I'm sorry if I am coming off that way. I truly appreciate every word of encouragement from followers of Christ. And if anyone is struggling with these same things I would very much like to talk to you too, it is nice having someone to relate to.
Something else, do you think I should try and answer the thoughts or ignore them? I do try and ignore them but it bothers me. I feel like I can't pray or read my Bible if a thought is floating around in my mind against Jesus.

Ignoring them is exactly the best thing you can do to get the better of them! When we have OCD and intrusive thoughts, giving them attention and being afraid of them tends to make them worse. If we ignore them (even though that's hard), that makes them get bored of trying to frighten us, and they gradually fade away. Ignoring is a key strategy of OCD therapy; one of the most effective therapies for OCD is ERP (exposure and response prevention). ACT therapy can also be helpful.

 

[Karabear10]

That makes a lot of sense. When I do try and argue with them it continually gets worse. I will try harder to ignore them. I appreciate your answer!

 

[Graydon Booth]

That makes a lot of sense. When I do try and argue with them it continually gets worse. I will try harder to ignore them. I appreciate your answer!

Well don't ignore them, as that's just as bad as arguing with them. What I've been taught is that you should acknowledge the thought and move on. Something like "Oh there's that thought again" and then (try to, at least) move on from it.

 

[Mari17]

Well don't ignore them, as that's just as bad as arguing with them. What I've been taught is that you should acknowledge the thought and move on. Something like "Oh there's that thought again" and then (try to, at least) move on from it.

I think it depends on how you ignore them. If you act like you're bothered by them and try to actively shut them out or get rid of them, that tends to increase them, because the more you pay attention to OCD, the more it tends to flourish. The goal, I think, is to just treat them as "white noise," realizing they're there but not doing much one way or the other about them and just being kind of nonchalant about them. Acknowledging them (which is not the same as agreeing with them!) can be one way to do that. It's kind of like actual noise - the more you're bothered by it and the more you try not to think about it, the more you notice it and get frustrated by it. But if you are kind of nonchalant about it and just go about doing your business, it often fades into the background and becomes unnoticeable.

 

[Karabear10]

Well don't ignore them, as that's just as bad as arguing with them. What I've been taught is that you should acknowledge the thought and move on. Something like "Oh there's that thought again" and then (try to, at least) move on from it.

Thats a good point. Cause when you really try not to think about something that's what you end up doing. I think not letting it bug you (trying not to let it) is the best thing. Thanks for the advice

 

[Tolworth John]

It keep asking me how do I know Jesus is good? And the worst is when thoughts pop into my mind telling me all Jesus did was not true.

Do look up this web site, share it with your family as it will help them to help you.

25 Tips for Succeeding in Your OCD Treatment - International OCD Foundation

Intrusive thoughts cannot be ignored, suppressed, talked with or argued with. They just keep comimg back. It is your mind that generates them.
All you can do is to acknowledge them. say ' Yes that is right.' and move on,