The Struggle of Religious OCD | Scrupulosity

Are obsessive-compulsive when it comes to your spiritual life? Is it possible that scrupulosity may be influencing how you relate to God and how you live out your Christian walk? Today I want to get into the subject of scrupulosity or religious OCD--the battle that takes place when obsessive-compulsive struggles invade your faith walk.
I battled for years in a chamber of isolation, knowing no one else who struggled with these battles. Today, I cross paths with scores of believers wrestling in the trenches with a form of religion that binds them from freedom. As I began to learn how OCD infected my spiritual walk, I looked around and was overwhelmed at how many other believers had obsessive-compulsive lifestyles in how they practiced their faith. If you struggle with OCD, you are not alone and there is hope for your journey.
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Disclaimer: The content published is for informational purposes. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in our material.
The resources given are not designed to practice medicine or give professional medical advice, including, without limitation, medical direction concerning someone's medical and mental health. Any resources given are not to be considered complete and does not cover all issues related to mental and physical health. In addition, any information given should not replace consultation with your doctor or any other mental health providers and/or specialists.

[@lukastheprussian]

You have definitely helped me, I wouldn't be able to have an almost normal life if I'd never found your channel Mark!

[@JCBurdenLifter]

Yeah, Mark is the only one that I’ve found who doesn’t make my struggles worse. So many other resources made me feel like I was hell bound.

[@hiyori2846]

ME TOO!! Thank God for Mark!

[@margaretgrosskreuz8687]

​@@hiyori2846Yes Mark is one of a kind. ❤️ There are a couple Grace teachers out there, but they are not as equipped as Mark is re feelings and coping skills.

[@miggy2g]

@@margaretgrosskreuz8687 100% agree with both of you!

[@Cappucino_Capt]

The beauty of what God does when he has someone walk through something to truly help others and to learn and grow. Thankful for this channel.

[@Nightwalker25-m3u]

Same for me too.

[@dennisbreedon9722]

Dear God, deliver me from my OCD and anxiety as you see fit, I will trust you in the process, In Jesus’s name I ask, Amen❤

[@MrsMayf]

I pray Jesus will answer your prayers

[@Concretegod18]

Thank you mark! I’ve been in a battle for 20 years plus. This channel so far has been the only hope for some type of recovery.

[@yuan1630]

You will make it brother ❤🙏🏽 I have and I know there IS another side

[@susankoch6381]

I definitely struggle with Scrupulosity in the area of evangelism, it has literally taken over my life and interfered with other important areas of life. I really need deliverance from this. I am watching Mark's video about Scrupulosity in the middle of the night because I also have OCD intrusive thoughts that make me anxious and keep me awake at night. I am an insomniac and need sleep if someone would so kindly pray for me, I have prayed for peace etc., but I need to sleep now. Maybe someone on the Eastcoast is an early riser and would like to pray, or if you are also awake in the middle of the night, could you pray? I know this is somewhat reassurance seeking but I really need to sleep. Sorry, I'll try tp stay more on topic Religious OCD next time. Thank you Mark for your insight into these matters.

[@MrsMayf]

I've diagnosed my son as having Scrupulosity via your videos. He's been in a desperate state since December when convinced that he disobeyed God's leading to witness to three groups of people on 3 separate occasions, this combined with the church preaching on being passive and lazy made him believe and 'feel' God had left him, the Holy Spirit literally drained away from him and hardened his heart. He went mad, deranged, hysterical for 3 months saying he was going to hell. At first I thought he needed counselling by a biblical counsellor because it didn't matter what we said to him, what bible verses we read to him confirming God would never leave nor forsake him, that he was sealed in the Holy Spirit, he wouldn't listen then a few weeks ago I stumbled upon your videos and realised this was what he had. Now I need to persuade him to see an OCD councillor with Scrupulosity understanding. Thank you so much for your videos, they really are excellent. Would you mind if I ask you how your parents managed when you were going through the worst of times?

[@hiyori2846]

Omg! I relate to your son so so much!!

[@MrsMayf]

@@hiyori2846 Its a terrible deception, distorting who God is. I would never have believed there was such a thing if I hadn't witnessed it firsthand. I hope you are getting help to get through everything and to come out of it well, happy and in peace 🌷

[@Mumsy_Soap]

Hey friend. I'm so sorry. Praying for you and your son.

[@MrsMayf]

@@Mumsy_Soap thank you so much 🙏

[@leaettasrygley602]

You have come to the right place in order to help your son. Mark is an excellent teacher and understands these issues. There will be a comfort when he realizes it is all OCD. Praying for God’s direction as you seek out the best path to take for your son.

[@rachaelmartin5229]

I wonder if this could be applied to all of a sudden doubting or wondering if God is real. Being afraid He might not be and then feeling afraid/guilty for having that thought. Feeling like you have to settle/prove that God is real and being anxious when it feels impossible after research and watching debates etc…being afraid to call your self a Christian or even wear Christian tshirts anymore because you aren’t actually sure you truly believe…? Does this sound like it could be related to this?

[@MPD_dogmom]

This sounds like me, everything you just said sounds like me. We are not alone and the mere fact we are seeking help should be a sign from God❤

[@hiyori2846]

Yes! This is definitely related!

[@draleks9112]

Ocd my beloved sibling

[@abbeyerickson9441]

OCD! I don’t want to give reassurance but yes it’s very common and I’ve met many people with this issue. The best action plan going forward is continue practicing your faith. If you feel like you’re not being genuine, don’t pay attention to that and keep going. Your feelings will catch up with your actions in time! Don’t feel discouraged if it takes a long time! I’m going through this right now and I’ve had some really great days of feeling connected with the Lord the past few weeks. The thoughts will come back but they don’t need to scare you! :) Praying for you and everyone else going through this!

[@rachaelmartin5229]

@@abbeyerickson9441 thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it and the good advice!

[@MPD_dogmom]

I was just in prayer about an hour ago and the Holy Spirit told me I needed to stop controlling my relationship with Jesus and let it happen naturally. I am too obsessed with doing everything right and feeling the right way….and this is my confirmation!! Going to listen to this at work tomorrow!!

[@dja192]

Thanks for all you’ve done for me and so many others with your ministry. I’m coming out of a performance based worship church.

[@Hitsujii_]

Selling everything and going to Africa is definitely something I thought about too

[@baileyscott3209]

@@Hitsujii_ glad to hear I'm not the only one.

[@JustPassingThrough2]

So GOOD! Thank you Mark!! Oh my goodness, the 16:50 mark “ What if people find OUT I’m having these kind of thoughts?” The way you said it made me laugh…it’s SO TRUE!

[@seaside1991]

I'm starting to think there is a strong correlation between people who suffer with attention deficit disorder and intrusive thoughts and OCD. It's almost like they're the same disorder. Then throw in some fear inducing life experiences bad theology and you have a mess in your mind and heart.

[@Lareya7]

I feel so lonely with this OCD. If anyone who also has this wants to be friends, let me know. We could encourage and lift each other up and share our goals and progress.

[@allthingsfaith4856]

Hey Lareya,...How you doing?

[@Lareya7]

@@allthingsfaith4856 Hey, well, I've been better. Struggling with worries and doubts unfortunately. But how are you?

[@andreav1706]

God Bless you🕊️🌈🙏

[@Ness.Vezz3]

Yes let be friends.❤ Do you have Instagram?

[@baileyscott3209]

I feel the same way. I only recently found out this kind of OCD existed. I thought I was just nuts or not saved.

[@roccofelder1551]

Learning to lean on christ

[@robertmuldoon433]

I just wanted to say this: thank you for all of these videos, Mark. I'm diagnosed ASD, but I'm 99% sure that I have scrupulousity too. Your videos have helped me understand how I trashed the one relationship I've ever had, and have taught me what to watch for in the future. In addition, you've inspired a major plotline in a historical novel I'm drafting. One of the characters (a young soldier) has unpardonable sin-OCD, and the main character (a Quaker missionary) equips him with the tools he needs to fight it as the story goes on. The story takes place in 1900, so I've had to adjust the language of your ideas to make them make sense for the time. If you're interested, I'd love to share the relevant parts of the narrative and hear your feedback!

[@MrsMayf]

You historical novel would make a great movie

[@raf5.13]

U’re a blessing in my life, Mark. I feel like I have a great friend in you. One who understands me.

[@kaileybaca1689]

For me, this comes up with intrusive thoughts about how i might be sining. “Oh I am sining because I am doing this!” Or “this is a sin or could be a sin. What if this is a sin?!” And it seems so legitimate because the arguments that my mind gives to these things. But I’m like Lord it’s it’s a legitimate issue, i pray you’d bring it up to me in a way I can’t miss and will know that it’s You. Sometimes i even think doing that is a compulsion but it’s also helped me realizing that God knows I struggle with OCD and that He has grace on me and is in the battle with me. And i don’t have to fear getting things wrong because His grace covers me and He will gently correct me if need be.

[@discountplumbing7855]

Wow .. o man can't believe it .. grew up in the era where this was not discussed .. 47 years old barely circling back .. where I can re focus and adjust .. very difficult .. threw these years .. 20 years old joined the u.s. military.. that's not healthy to start .. 4 kids .. jobs .. adult's in my life at that age and till now .. did not want me around .. lol .. not crying .. just saying wow . Also battling alcohol abuse.. can go on and on ..plus o.c.d.. thank you god for keeping me sound mine .. through all that .. thank you .. thank you mark .. all the best ...

[@historymatters8991]

When did you start stalking me bc this whole video is me lol. Mark, you have helped me so much. I had a mental breakdown a few weeks ago, and i didn't know what was going on with me. I didn't know what was wrong with me, i thought all those intrusive thoughts were God. That he was telling me to give all these things up, and if I didn't, he would hurt me. That i wasn't really saved and he was going to cast me aside into hell etc. Then i found your channel, and it's like a whole new world opened up. I didn't think i had OCD until i looked back at my life and realized I've always struggled with it. i just thought it was some weird type of anxiety. It's been a challenge not to do my compulsions I've given in a few times, but im trying. It's going to be a long journey, but you've given me hope. That i can do it with Gods help.

[@markoilic-j3j]

hey mark i think i have ocd im full of doubt, unbelife and uncertainty iam also very confused all these feelings and emotions, its like i wanna belive in god and everything in the bible but i seems i cant, i ask god for forgivness and jesus into my heart for 1000 times and said zhe sinners prayer soo often. these dont go away doubts unbelife and ect. i wrestle with them nonstop iam exhausted

[@benedictaafenya2034]

I'm in same shoes 😪

[@benedictaafenya2034]

I'm in same shoes

[@skycat1350]

Watch the video

[@dja192]

Too late, Mark. I’ve already done the 911 thing. I went through a whole streak of it for about a year … one crisis to the next. But since I found your stuff about four months ago. Now I’m doing better but am still coming down from the OCD drug of rumination and obsession. I’m still battling the feeling yucky, depressed, like something is seriously missing …especially in the mornings when I first wake up.

[@baileyscott3209]

How do you tell the difference between OCD thoughts verses actually hearing from the holy Spirit?

[@jugdissbheekha502]

I was looking for quick fixes with deliverance prayers-but my situation got worse and worse over the years- am completely drained -feeling helpless and hopeless. But still haven't lost hope-will hope against all hope- Jesus saved me is saving me everyday and will save me at last--despite my horrendous thoughts

[@Jesusandmentalhealth]

I grew up in the A/G too and we always had people say they had "unspoken" prayer requests. 😊 At the age of 14 I went to an A/G youth camp and that is where I got saved. God did do a lot in my life at that time, but that is when my Scrupulosity started. You and I grew up in the same era so I can relate to the time of that particular A/G movement.

[@kathleenwharton2139]

Thank You 🙏 Jesus I am Blessed 😇 And Loved 🥰

[@weddinggirl7214]

The Lord def put this in my feed - I've been losing my mind. Going back and forth between hysterical crying and laughter, like why is being saved so hard????

[@3chordsrecordsmusic899]

My same reaction when I found Mark a couple years ago. Your not alone in those feelings and and questions as you know my friend

[@3chordsrecordsmusic899]

The “trying to convince God”…oohh yea that’d be me too.

[@weddinggirl7214]

@3chordsrecordsmusic899 Thank you Brother in Christ.

[@3chordsrecordsmusic899]

@@weddinggirl7214 absolutely welcome!

[@Mumsy_Soap]

46:10 yes true, now quickly give me 3 steps to process and "work through" emotions properly!!! LOL....oh yeah...the TULA journey.😁

[@margaretgrosskreuz8687]

Mark. Thank you so much. I loved at 56:00 where you started speaking about "being right with God." For too many years i equated that with MY performance. Wow. This makes so much more sense. 💯📖☝🏼❤️

[@malihasultana421]

Could anyone please tell me that Marks all videos on religion ocd can also help me as a Muslim? Like connecting with god and all that? I have been watching Mark's video for a long time now and his videos have helped me a lot. And I decided that I will watch his videos to have a better bond with god. But then a thought came that even if marks videos helps me there's no point to get rid of my situation because he is christian and I'm muslim so i should only watch videos of Muslims and find peace through that. But deep down I have not found any Muslim who will deal with ocd like mark does or how mark is talking about god's love. Now it's so complicated. What am I supposed to do?

[@baileyscott3209]

I am so sorry to hear that you're going through that. I'm a Christian but I've had similar thoughts, even seeing Christian counselors I wonder if seeing them will actually help if their theology isn't correct. But if you ask me, I believe that mark can still help you, I think you should keep listening to him. I think the thought you had is OCD and doesn't want you to find healing. It's going to let you down a hole. Keep listening to Mark.

[@dja192]

Yes … difficulty with emotions.

[@BenjaminLKoehn]

How about thoughts that seem to carry a biblical truth, but that are still intrusive and cause much anxiety. For instance, my class is celebrating our last school day tomorrow. But there’s usually alcohol involved, they party big time in our school. This has been done for ages, but I am in so much conflict with my conscience. I don’t know what to do.

[@monamouroxo]

Hi Ben! Great comment. I believe that depends on your personal conviction and what the environment is like. For instance, having alcohol is not the sin (Jesus created wine), it’s getting drunk that’s the sin. And again, that will depend on your personal conviction about alcohol (if you’re personally for or against it). (See Romans 14 about personal convictions). If the motive of the party is to get drunk, then I would recommend to not putting yourself in that atmosphere honestly. Hope this helps! God bless you! 😊

[@monamouroxo]

(See Ephesians 5:18 about the drunkenness)

[@monamouroxo]

I came across this verse today and thought of you: Romans 13:13 “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.” God bless you! 😊

[@wandajames143]

You keep blowing this off, but it’s important. I have a deep wounded relationship with my God image cause of this. Why does God kill babies in the Old Testament? To me it doesn't make sense that an all powerful or all loving god would allow the killings of infant children and fetuses in the womb. 1 Samuel 15 and Joshua has him use human agents to kill pregnant woman and children, but apologists say that it's because of their parents sin and because they were practicing child sacrifice. But the Bible doesn't mention the children doing anything wrong, and weren't involved in child sacrifice. And even if it was because of their parent's sin, how is slitting the throat of toddlers any better than passing them through fire?

[@paulawiggins4876]

Just a thought....if they were likely to grow up in that culture and be evil and suffer the judgment like their parents, maybe it was best they be taken in their innocence on to heaven🤷🏻‍♀️

[@baileyscott3209]

That is a question I have struggled with before.

[@discountplumbing7855]

Wow! mark can't believe it .. I was lost man thank you

[@dennisbreedon9722]

Dear God, heal my eye as well please, Amen

[@MrsMayf]

Anen

[@Aur985]

What is the song?

[@wandajames143]

I promise you also I'm not a troll. Yes I have anxiety issues, I have two book of yours OCD Healing Journey and God loves me... I have watched your videos. I just can't wrap my head around Yahweh and the God in the New Testament. So much anger and meanness in the Old Testament, undeniable

[@brandonMack-hp8vj]

I’m OCD about my faith I struggled with a concept of God loving me for 4 years pretty much my whole walk. I was introduced too concepts of faith that I was unequipped to challenge or prove wrong. I’ve listened to others ideas of faith and talking points without being able to discern for myself. I surrendered my sense making over to supposed doctrines and beliefs of the faith after coming to the conclusion that I’ve been misled I now find it hard to trust anyone’s view of God. I didn’t have OCD until these views were introduced to me. Now I struggle with horrible OCD and I’ve been trying to learn how to fix it

[@Nightwalker25-m3u]

I know I struggle with ocd, but my problem is i just don't know how to articulate it to people. It just makes me get lost.

[@Nightwalker25-m3u]

Thanks counselor Mark, you and Melissa are tremendous!

[@marianmears8026]

Awesome truth.....God's love opens the whole heart💞

[@wandajames143]

I really like what you say, but seriously it’s not ocd to wonder why the God of the Old Testament is so diffferent than the New Testament and is very full of anger

[@janetholmes]

Hey WandaJames, just wanted to say my heart goes out to you with this. I've had challenges with my understanding of God as a Father in the Old Testament too. I hope you find peace soon and that He reveals His Father's voice in the Old Testament to you in a personal way. You're not alone in this struggle and you are loved.

[@Nightwalker25-m3u]

This doubting disorder club is tiring me out.

[@jonathanthomasdrums]

Thanks!

[@hithere2426]

16:33 31:33 51:03

[@Nightwalker25-m3u]

Thanks!

[@ambergeorge6435]

Thank you❤

[@wandajames143]

52:00