OCD thoughts vs. being convicted...

[tr0pica1rain]

Can someone help me with this? I have a problem deciding if some of my thoughts are God convicting me not to do something, or if they are my OCD thoughts making me feel guilty for no reason. *sigh*

For example: "I shouldn't watch this movie because it's evil."
How do I know if it's God telling me I shouldn't watch it or me saying I shouldn't watch it to punish myself for something random? I am able to decipher when thoughts of not doing something are ridiculous: "I should not wear this [perfectly normal] pair of sneakers because they're evil," but not when I might possibly have a point that it's evil (such as, this movie may tempt me, etc.)

Another example was that my group from freshman orientation invited me to a pool party, but I convinced myself I couldn't go because I would be in a bathingsuit, etc. My roommate, who is a Christian, (I go to a Christian university) told me that I could go, and that it was fine. But I didn't.

Also, I feel guilty wearing shorts, even when they are longer than most. Should I feel guilty and not wear them? Am I being convicted or is this OCD? Please help me. Thank you and God bless.

 

[mbrob]

Hi,

Having OCD myself (although I just thought I was weird (OK, debatable) until recently diagnosed), I can relate to all of the "little decisions" being scrutinized by your conscience. It sounds like you are very sensitive, which is a great attribute. It also sounds like you have a very active conscience, evaluating every move and wondering if it's God or your conscience or your mind. I have dealt with this for a long time myself, to varying degrees.

I think that God gave us consciences and imaginations. People like you and I seem to blend the two have creative consciences; we look at something that at the surface is neutral (like a pair of shoes) and try to decipher if God has a strong opinion about them. Is this on track?

Having a strong conscience is good and is from God. Creativity is also from God. I am not sure if guilt is a Godly characteristic, but many Christians like us tend to be so in touch with our guilt that it is paralyzing.

When I was a child, I was taught "guilt is good." I since have been a "guilt addict." Can anyone relate?

Is guilt good? Even those who do not claim Christ experience guilt.

What is guilt? An emotion? Anxiety? Grief? We "feel" guilty and sometimes we "are" guilty. Is "chronic" guilt inconsistent with God's plan for us? If Christ's passion resulted in is us who believe being "blameless" before God (Ephesians 1), then why the persistent guilt?

If the feeling of guilt over actual sins results in sincere repentance, then I would say it is necessary, even "good" to an extent. However, since we are guaranteed forgiveness from God through Christ, should the guilt cease after confession? Seems to me it should cease, but it is rarely my experience.

When we "feel" guilt over confessed and forgiven sins, are we "stuck" in that sin? When we are on a "guilt binge" who gets our attention? Ourselves, God, or our neighbors? What, then, gets our attention? Sin, forgiveness, or love?

Should living a Christian life involve guilt to the extent to which many of us allow?

Would God have us live a completely different way, free of persistent guilt, fear, and doubt?

We are commanded rather to 1. Love God and 2. Love our neighbor as ourselves.

Where is the guilt in God's plan?

Excuse me while I take my lifelong guilt out back and give it it's proper burial....anyone else want to join me?

 

[Ruth~]

No one can tell you that you have ocd but a professional therapist or psychiatrist. You need to get an evaluation by one since this is distressing you.

 

[tr0pica1rain]

No one can tell you that you have ocd but a professional therapist or psychiatrist. You need to get an evaluation by one since this is distressing you.

Ah I have been diagnosed, sorry to leave that information out!

 

[CavFan]

I have this same problem. If it's something that goes against God's Word or the nature of God, then it's conviction. It is hard to determine sometimes. I think if you pray about it and still feel like it's wrong, maybe it is wrong and God's trying to show you that.

 

[Solaris]

Can someone help me with this? I have a problem deciding if some of my thoughts are God convicting me not to do something, or if they are my OCD thoughts making me feel guilty for no reason. *sigh*

For example: "I shouldn't watch this movie because it's evil."
How do I know if it's God telling me I shouldn't watch it or me saying I shouldn't watch it to punish myself for something random? I am able to decipher when thoughts of not doing something are ridiculous: "I should not wear this [perfectly normal] pair of sneakers because they're evil," but not when I might possibly have a point that it's evil (such as, this movie may tempt me, etc.)

Another example was that my group from freshman orientation invited me to a pool party, but I convinced myself I couldn't go because I would be in a bathingsuit, etc. My roommate, who is a Christian, (I go to a Christian university) told me that I could go, and that it was fine. But I didn't.

Also, I feel guilty wearing shorts, even when they are longer than most. Should I feel guilty and not wear them? Am I being convicted or is this OCD? Please help me. Thank you and God bless.

It sounds to me like the Devil is hitting you on the head with things that will make you feel guilty and drive you away from your conscious contact with God. None of the things you listed, except maybe the movie (The Transformers movie was certainly evil!) qualify. I remember being 18 and under the influence of religious teachers who taught from the First Book of Grandma instead of the scriptures.