Podcasts about Scrupulosity

In this episode, I sit down with OCD therapist and scrupulosity specialist Justin Hughes to explore how religious OCD can hijack faith, why common attempts to find certainty often make things worse, and what true recovery can look like.  

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: "Latter Day Missionaries": A Mental Health Resource for LDS Missionaries & their Families [Part II of II]In this episode Dr. Bryson Ensign joins Valerie again to unpack OCD & scrupulosity in the LDS mission field. This episode first explores how Dr. Bryson covers OCD/scrupulosity in his "Mental Health Training Center". It also explores how this resource could be lifesaving tool for the missionary as well as a crucial resource for the parents of full-time missionaries concerned about their child's wellbeing and not knowing how to help when their child is far away and struggling with various mental healthy issues.Find additional information on Dr. Ensign's program HERE.Timestamps:00:00 Welcome Back Intro00:44 Why Missions Get Complicated03:11 Mental Health Training Center Overview07:00 Why Missionaries Are Vulnerable10:15 Parents Need Support Too15:52 Steady Parenting Skills20:39 Pivot to OCD Scrupulosity23:42 How Each Lesson Works30:32 Bryson Mission Story35:04 When Scrupulosity Gets Reinforced38:21 Healthy vs Unhealthy Faith39:52 Parents Spot the Signs42:43 Accountability Partner Plan44:32 Lesson Flow Overview45:38 OCD Basics Explained49:16 Scrupulosity on a Mission55:23 Why Missions Trigger It58:51 Three Practical Tools01:04:30 Where to Get Help01:07:38 Specialized OCD Treatment01:09:51 Final Thanks and WrapSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie's Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Fr. John Horn, co-founder of the Institute for Priestly Formation, to begin a series on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They discuss the connection between our wounded image of God and sin, revealing how many of our repeated struggles are rooted in lies about our identity in the Father's love. Fr. John also shares how Confession can become more than just listing sins, why we should embrace our interior poverty, and the danger of scrupulosity.    Key Points: Unforgiveness is one of the greatest barriers to restoration. Many people remain trapped after confession because they continue holding unforgiveness toward themselves. God does not despise our wounds; He desires to love us directly within them. Much of habitual sin is driven by deeper lies and false beliefs about God, ourselves, and others. Spiritual poverty is the very place that attracts God's mercy. Confession becomes transformative when we examine not only the outward sin, but the beliefs underneath it. Our image of God is often shaped by early relational wounds and experiences with parents or authority figures. God is not reluctantly forgiving us; He rejoices over us and fights for our healing and freedom.   Resources: Institute for Priestly Formation Episode 131: Forgiveness and Spiritual Renewal w/ Fr. John Horn "....Not enough that the arrow has been extracted from the body, the wound, which it inflicted, must also be healed. So with regard to the soul. Not enough that the sin has been pardoned. The wound which it left must also be healed." (St. John Chrysostom)   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:21 Healing is Found Through Forgiveness 09:10 The Wound Left Behind by Sin 16:01 Why So Many Catholics Avoid Confession 24:29 Sin Begins with Unbelief 33:56 Scrupulosity and Self-Forgiveness 37:40 How Our Image of God Becomes Wounded 58:51 Practical Ways to Prepare for Confession   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

In this Wednesday Live, I take you with me into some of the deepest and most painful questions many believers are wrestling with in their mental, emotional, and relationship journey. At the same time, I had an opportunity to bring some exhortations to encourage you in your healing and freedom! I address salvation OCD and […]

What if an intense focus on sin is actually keeping you from Christ rather than drawing you closer to him?In this episode, Janet Aucoin welcomes her son Josh, worship pastor at Faith Church, for a thoughtful conversation about scrupulosity, the tendency to become so fixated on sin that it leads to paralysis instead of peace. Together, they explore the biblical roots of self-righteous moral anxiety and point to the gospel's invitation to trade performance-driven fear for the true freedom found in Christ.⁠Episode Transcript⁠Resources:Podcasts/SermonsTheology of Worship - Joyful Journey PodcastThe Severe Results of Submitting to Works Righteousness Instead of Jesus - Faith Church SermonA Peculiar Power for Prayer - D. A. CarsonScrupulosity - Truth in Love PodcastA Biblical Response to Scrupulosity - Truth in Love PodcastBooks/ArticlesRescuing the Gospel - Erwin LutzerScrupulosity - Brent OsterbergScrupulosity and One Distortion of Sanctification - BCCWebsitesMasters of Arts in Biblical CounselingVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments atjoyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What if an intense focus on sin is actually keeping you from Christ rather than drawing you closer to him?In this episode, Janet Aucoin welcomes her son Josh, worship pastor at Faith Church, for a thoughtful conversation about scrupulosity, the tendency to become so fixated on sin that it leads to paralysis instead of peace. Together, they explore the biblical roots of self-righteous moral anxiety and point to the gospel's invitation to trade performance-driven fear for the true freedom found in Christ.⁠Episode Transcript⁠Resources:Podcasts/SermonsTheology of Worship - Joyful Journey PodcastThe Severe Results of Submitting to Works Righteousness Instead of Jesus - Faith Church SermonA Peculiar Power for Prayer - D. A. CarsonScrupulosity - Truth in Love PodcastA Biblical Response to Scrupulosity - Truth in Love PodcastBooks/ArticlesRescuing the Gospel - Erwin LutzerScrupulosity - Brent OsterbergScrupulosity and One Distortion of Sanctification - BCCWebsitesMasters of Arts in Biblical CounselingVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments atjoyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Carrie answers listener-submitted questions from email and a recent survey about scrupulosity to help you better understand it and respond in healthier ways.Episode Highlights:Carrie's answers to listener questions about intrusive thoughts and scrupulosity, drawn from real experiences shared through email and survey responsesHow to recognize intrusive or critical thoughts as OCD, not your true beliefsWhy scrupulosity targets what matters most, including your relationship with GodHow to identify the core fear beneath obsessive doubtsThe difference between God's voice and fear-based thoughtsExplore the Empowered Mind: Christian ICBT for OCD: https://carriebock.com/training/ Carrie's services and courses: carriebock.com/services/                                                       carriebock.com/resources/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/christianfaithandocd/and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithandocd for the latest updates and sneak peeks. 

In this solo episode, I talk about Moral OCD (also known as scrupulosity), a subtype of OCD that can make everyday decisions feel heavy and high-stakes. I discuss how thoughts related to this subtype can show up as intense guilt, fear of being a "bad" person, perfectionism, people pleasing tendencies, and feeling responsible for doing the "right" thing at all times.In addition, I explore examples of compulsions that can show up, including mental reviewing, reassurance seeking, confessing, or trying to achieve certainty about what is morally “correct.” I share how social media, activism spaces, and being constantly exposed to information can intensify feelings of urgency and responsibility, and why this can feel so distressing. As always, this episode is not one-size-fits-all and simply reflects a few ways OCD-thoughts related to morality can show up. I hope to bring language to an experience that can feel incredibly isolating, and to remind you that you are not alone if your mind makes morality feel urgent, overwhelming, or impossible to "get right."STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Scrupulosity, Post-Conciliar changes in seminaries, and more on today's Open Line Wednesday with Fr. Mitch Pacwa.

In episode 534 I chat with Rachel Kuchem Woodward (LCSW). Rachel is the owner of Re-Viving Lives Counseling, in Fort Worth.  Rachel is a therapist holistically and clinically treating girls and women since 2019. Having her own 20+ year personal journey with OCD, Rachel is passionate about treating sufferers of OCD and educating faith circles on OCD, bridging the gap between biblical and clinical circles around this topic for clients, church leaders, and mental health leaders. We discuss her therapy journey, how OCD can latch on to faith, telling the difference between a genuine faith based question and an OCD question, how pastors and churches can help, scripture and OCD, moving towards values, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), addressing shame in therapy, bringing in family members, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/rachel-534 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter 

What does it actually mean to live an ordered, integrated life as a Catholic woman? This episode is packed with practical advice for cultivating balance and integration in every aspect of your life. I'm joined by the co-founders of Sole Atelier, Carolyn and Mariana, who share their experiences and insights into how they structure their lives in a way that allows faith, work, rest, and relationships to flourish.Shop the Sole Atelier Catholic Planner for 25% off!Follow Sole Atelier on Instagram00:00 Welcome to Ever Be00:42 Meet Sole Atelier06:50 Ever Be Moments10:33 What Is Ordered Living16:25 Why Women Feel Overwhelmed22:06 Weekly Planning Practices26:53 Relationships and Marriage Meetings32:16 Prayer First Then Basics36:06 Daily Examen and Being Loved37:36 Surrender in Busy Seasons39:32 Resetting When Off Routine41:58 Saying No and Outsourcing44:49 Letting Go of Expectations46:53 Behind and Overwhelmed49:26 Quick Weekly Action Steps50:31 Where to Find Sole51:17 Scrupulosity and Gods Love54:35 Wrap Up and After Party-----Join our Kingdom Club on Patreon! Members get exclusive perks such as:

Seth and Sean discuss DeMeco saying they'll bring in more guys for competition, how Braden Smith seemingly defeated a condition called moral scrupulosity, and assess if they suffer from it based on a checklist of symptoms.

Seth and Sean discuss DeMeco saying they're not done bringing new guys in, assess if they suffer from moral scrupulosity, react to an Antonio Brown story from Lavonte David, talk about this week's vintage Astro performances, their hope to see another one today, and see what Reggie and Lopez's question of the day is.

Beyond Devotion: The Mental Health Impact Of Religious Obsession Synopsis: Scrupulosity, or religious OCD, is a specialized form of OCD that targets an individual's faith and moral values. This condition crosses the line into mental illness when obsessive fears about sin or salvation begin to negatively interfere with daily life. Our experts explain how to recognize the signs of scrupulosity and the specialized treatments that can help patients restore a healthy relationship with their faith. Guests:  Dr. Emily Bailey, psychologist, Atlanta OCD and Anxiety Treatment, LLC Jaimie Eckert, scrupulosity patient & advocate Host: Elizabeth Westfield Producer: Kristen Farrah How Childhood Sexual Abuse Reshapes The Minds And Bodies Of Survivors Childhood sexual abuse can leave deep, lasting scars on the minds and bodies of victims. Dr. Frank Putnam was one of the first to prove that this abuse affects a person's biology through the Female Growth and Development Study. He discusses the generational cycles of abuse and how we can end those patterns. Guest: Dr. Frank Putnam, child & adolescent psychiatrist, professor of clinical psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, author, Old Before Their Time Host: Greg Johnson Producers: Kristen Farrah Facebook: ingoodhealthpodX: @ ingoodhealthpodIG: @ingoodhealthpodYouTube: @ingoodhealthpodSpotify Apple Podcast In Good Health PodcastSubscribed to the newsletterFull ArchiveContact UsBecome an Affiliate Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when Christian ethics goes wrong — on either side of the road? Lesson 22 of the Christian Ethics series covers the final rigorist errors and opens the antinomian ones.Dave Rich finishes the fundamentalist ethic from the previous lesson, drawing a clear line between biblical separation and the error of letting the world define the church's ethic in opposition to it. He then addresses scrupulosity — moralism with an emotional edge. For those prone to a hypervigilant conscience, Rich offers a grounding corrective from 1 John, Psalm 103, and Hebrews: God is greater than your heart, your guilt is addressed in Christ, and you have an advocate when you sin.From there, the lesson crosses to the other ditch. Christian universalism, traced through James Rellie and its modern expressions, removes any ethical stakes entirely. Licentiousness treats the gospel as a license to sin — a position Rich addresses plainly: if that is your view of salvation, you are not saved. The lesson closes with the opening of Christian pragmatism and the seeker-friendly movement's "end justifies the means" approach to church ministry.A clarifying lesson for anyone thinking carefully about where Christian ethics goes off course. ★ Support this podcast ★

Beyond Devotion: The Mental Health Impact Of Religious Obsession Scrupulosity, or religious OCD, is a specialized form of OCD that targets an individual's faith and moral values. This condition crosses the line into mental illness when obsessive fears about sin or salvation begin to negatively interfere with daily life. Our experts explain how to recognize the signs of scrupulosity and the specialized treatments that can help patients restore a healthy relationship with their faith. Guests:  Dr. Emily Bailey, psychologist, Atlanta OCD and Anxiety Treatment, LLC Jaimie Eckert, scrupulosity patient & advocate Host: Elizabeth Westfield  Producer: Kristen Farrah Facebook: ingoodhealthpodX: @ ingoodhealthpodIG: @ingoodhealthpodYouTube: @ingoodhealthpodSpotify Apple Podcast In Good Health PodcastSubscribed to the newsletterFull ArchiveContact UsBecome an Affiliate Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A welcoming Church? Dark passages of the OT? Libation offerings? Join us for Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

In this episode, Carrie welcomes returning guest Michael Kheir, author of Waging War Against OCD, to discuss forgiveness, repentance, and how Christians with OCD can break free from cycles of fear and guilt in their relationship with God.Episode Highlight:How scrupulosity twists the meaning of repentance and confession The difference between Holy Spirit conviction and OCD condemnation Why obsessive confession often comes from fear rather than faith How understanding justification vs. sanctification changes the way we view our sin What the fruit of the Spirit can teach us about recognizing God's voiceHow to stop confessing sins that God has already forgivenConnect with Michael Kheir: wagingwaragainstocd.comExplore the Empowered Mind: Christian ICBT for OCD: https://carriebock.com/training/ Carrie's services and courses: carriebock.com/services/                                                       carriebock.com/resources/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/christianfaithandocd/and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithandocd for the latest updates and sneak peeks. 

My friend Douglas Williams (President of the Real OCD Club and the Un Alone Club at BYU; dual-major at BYU, RM, MTC Teacher) joins us to share his journey with OCD and scrupulosity: Understanding, managing, and accepting intrusive thoughts—not a sign of worthiness Thoughts don't have anything to do with our character Undiagnosed scrupulosity entering mission field (repeated confessions to Stake President) Difficult start to mission, medication, things got better (still misdiagnosed) Coming home from mission, going off medication, and crashing Finally got a correct diagnosis—path to healing Importance of Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy Ego-syntonic thoughts (line up with values) and ego-dystonic thoughts (don't line up with values)—super powerful distinction Invitation to join the Real OCD Club at BYU (focused on OCD) Invitation to join Un-Alone Club at BYU (focused on solving porn use) If you are working to understand and navigate OCD in yourself or help others, Douglas' podcast will help you. Douglas—who has a gift of great communication—does an excellent job of helping us all better understand OCD/Scrupulosity and how to solve these mental health challenges. Links: Real OCD Club at BYU on Instagram: @readocdblub Un Alone Club at BYU on Instagram: @un.alone.byu

In this episode, Carrie explores how scrupulosity can quietly turn Scripture into fear and pressure while offering a more peaceful, grace-filled way to reconnect with God's Word.Episode Highlights:Why Scripture can feel triggering when you struggle with scrupulosityHow shame cycles form around Bible avoidanceSimple ways to begin reading again without pressureWhy understanding everything isn't required for spiritual growthHow rigid beliefs about Bible reading can fuel OCDPractical ways to reconnect with God's Word in peaceExplore the Empowered Mind: Christian ICBT for OCD: https://carriebock.com/training/ Carrie's services and courses: carriebock.com/services/ carriebock.com/resources/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/christianfaithandocd/and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithandocd for the latest updates and sneak peeks.

In this episode, Carrie continues exploring why scrupulosity can feel so layered and difficult to untangle. She examines the hidden fears, spiritual experiences, and beliefs about God that may be quietly fueling the struggle.Episode Highlights:How scrupulosity often attaches itself to other OCD themesWhat it means to identify the “primary obsessional doubt” beneath the surfaceWhy theology and personal history both matter in recoveryHow early relationships can shape your view of GodWhy healing may require examining both belief systems and identityWhat it looks like to move from an identity rooted in fear to one rooted in being lovedExplore the Empowered Mind: Christian ICBT for OCD: https://carriebock.com/training/ Carrie's services and courses: carriebock.com/services/ carriebock.com/resources/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/christianfaithandocd/and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithandocd for the latest updates and sneak peeks.

As we continue the Scrupulosity Series, Carrie unpacks the hidden layers that make religious OCD uniquely complex, especially when spiritual doubt, fear of sin, and confusion about God's character get tangled in the OCD cycle.Episode Highlights:Why scrupulosity (religious OCD) is more complex than other OCD themes and why it often feels harder to treatHow church culture and biblical counseling can unintentionally reinforce the OCD cycleWhy reassurance about salvation, sin, or blasphemy can actually make scrupulosity worseHow mental health stigma in Christian spaces delays proper OCD treatmentThe difference between intrusive thoughts, temptation, and actual sin from a biblical perspectiveHow black-and-white theology and fear-based thinking keep religious OCD stuckExplore the Empowered Mind: Christian ICBT for OCD: https://carriebock.com/training/ Carrie's services and courses: carriebock.com/services/ carriebock.com/resources/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/christianfaithandocd/and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithandocd for the latest updates and sneak peeks.

Beyond Damascus is the show where encounter meets mission. Your hosts Dan DeMatte and Aaron Richards will give you practical tips on how to live out your faith every day. We'll get into actionable steps of what it means to have an abundant Christian life and share things that we've learned through our personal journey's about overcoming obstacles, pursuing joy, and living a meaningful life.  Today, they discuss scrupulosity in the spiritual life.Beyond Damascus airs live weekdays at 8am Pacific TimeYou can download the Spirit Filled Radio App for your Android and Apple devices. Listen at https://www.spiritfilledevents.com/radio-podcast Support the show

Many people struggling with scrupulosity, religious OCD, and anxiety believe their suffering is a sign of deep faith.But what if the real issue isn't faith at all?In this episode, I break down the hidden cost of treating fear as faith—and how this misunderstanding keeps people trapped in guilt, reassurance-seeking, compulsions, and chronic inner conflict.

Scrupulosity is often misunderstood as a faith problem — but treating it that way is one of the biggest reasons people stay stuck.In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW explains why scrupulosity isn't about faith, belief, or not trying hard enough — and how fear hijacks religious themes and projects onto God, salvation, and belief systems.If you've been told to pray harder, believe more, or do more religious behaviors — yet still feel anxious, distressed, or disconnected from peace — this episode will help you understand what's really happening and what actually leads to recovery.Rather than trying to solve scrupulosity through faith-based reassurance, Matt explains why healing comes from addressing the fear loop and nervous system state, not the content of the fear itself.

In this in-depth episode of Breaking the Rules, we unpack two commonly confused but fundamentally different clinical presentations: moral scrupulosity (OCD) and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). While they may look similar on the surface—perfectionism, rigid values, intense guilt—the treatment implications couldn't be more different.The conversation explores how moral scrupulosity shows up across children, teens, and adults, often hiding beneath “good behaviour,” people-pleasing, over-apologising, and chronic self-monitoring. We also dive into why some clients become stuck in ERP when the underlying issue isn't OCD at all, but rigidity, control, and ego-syntonic perfectionism associated with OCPD.This episode is especially valuable for clinicians navigating stuckness, treatment resistance, or confusing presentations—and for anyone who has ever felt trapped by the need to be a “good person.”

Scrupulosity can feel terrifying — especially when OCD and anxiety latch onto God, faith, salvation, or religious beliefs.In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW explains what scrupulosity really is, why it has nothing to do with a lack of faith, and what actually allows people to recover.If you're constantly doubting your salvation, fearing you've committed an unforgivable sin, or feeling trapped in religious fear loops, this episode will help you understand what's happening beneath the surface — and why trying harder spiritually often makes it worse.Rather than treating scrupulosity as a faith problem, Matt explains why it's a fear-based nervous system issue — and how shifting your internal state, not seeking certainty, is the path to healing.

In this episode of the Receive Experience Podcast, we dive deep into heart healing and spiritual transformation with Michael and Marjorie of Elijah House Ministries. They share their insights on allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, the importance of sanctification before transformation, and how forgiveness and dealing with trauma are essential steps to healing. They emphasize building a conversational relationship with God, making room for the Holy Spirit, and speaking life and identity into individuals. The discussion also highlights the detrimental effects of legalistic practices and religious OCD, encouraging a more personal and loving approach to spirituality. Perfect for anyone interested in spiritual growth, heart healing, and developing a deeper relationship with God.Connect with Elijah House: https://elijahhouse.org/Join the Receive Academy: https://receiveacademy.com/Or sign up for the next 5-Day Hearing God Challenge: https://hearinggodchallenge.com/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Holy Spirit's Guidance02:35 Understanding Prayer and Communication with God05:52 The Concept of Scrupulosity and Religious OCD11:42 The Importance of Forgiveness and Identity37:00 The Impact of Parental Influence on Identity41:20 Addressing Trauma and Shame in Heart Healing46:28 The Power of the Holy Spirit49:21 Hearing God's Voice51:17 The Importance of Identity59:07 The Elijah Task and Apostolic Fathering01:14:54 Practical Ways to Show God's Love01:23:24 The Journey of Healing and Growth

January 17th, 2026 - “Why does it feel like everything is a sin?” If you've ever asked yourself that, scrupulosity is something you should learn about. Scrupulosity is an obsessive fear of any imperfection, and it can actually push you further away from God. Debbie and Adam share advice on how to manage it and live in the freedom of Christ.  Links: Scrupulosity - https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-struggle-with-scrupulosity Here are the encouraging words of Dominican theologian Blessed Henry Suso: “We may conclude that persons who suffer from scruples are the most favored by divine love, and the most certain of reaching Heaven when they bear this trial in patience and humility. Scrupulous souls die continually, they suffer a continual purgatory, and so they leave the earth to fly to Heaven purified and free from sins to expiate.”

"Why does it feel like everything is a sin?" If you've ever asked yourself that, scrupulosity is something you should learn about. Scrupulosity is an obsessive fear of any imperfection, and it can actually push you further away from God. Debbie and Adam share advice on how to manage it and live in the freedom of Christ.  Links: Show Archive - https://www.GRNonline.com/SpiritWorld   Seine River Cruise with Debbie - https://www.grnonline.com/events/seine-river-cruise  SPONSOR: St. Joseph Partners - https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/grn Life Coaching- https://www.StandTallToday.com  Scrupulosity - https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-struggle-with-scrupulosity  Here are the encouraging words of Dominican theologian Blessed Henry Suso: "We may conclude that persons who suffer from scruples are the most favored by divine love, and the most certain of reaching Heaven when they bear this trial in patience and humility. Scrupulous souls die continually, they suffer a continual purgatory, and so they leave the earth to fly to Heaven purified and free from sins to expiate."

Compulsive behavior is the product of ones need to establish a sense of control amidst all their anxious thoughts. Obsessive compulsion is fairly common — the National Institute of Mental Health say 2.3% of adults struggle with OCD in their lifetime. Many people get stuck in cycles of excessive and irrational performance BUT what if I told you that oftentimes spirituality and religion can exacerbate these tendencies?Scrupulosity—often called religious OCD—is a quiet struggle in many churches, where sincere Christians feel stuck in constant guilt and fear. They worry they're never doing enough for God, replaying thoughts and prayers over and over just to feel “safe.” Instead of resting in Christ, they live exhausted and unsure. It looks like devotion on the outside, but inside it's a trap of fear that steals joy and confidence. On today's show we hope to shine a light on this often-misunderstood battle to better understand how the gospel frees people from the weight of compulsive religion and leads them back into real peace with Christ.To guide us through this important conversation, we're joined by Jonathan Kindler, biblical counselor, faculty professor at LFBI and host of the Sound Mind podcast.Visit https://www.soundmind.live/podcastVisit https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore

Join us as we hear a lesson from one of our bloggers, Noah Olsen, as he presents a wonderful lesson on scruples and the Bible. Visit our linktree: https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork Visit our website, www.scatteredabroad.org, and subscribe to our email list. "Like" and "share" our Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/sapodcastnetwork Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ the_scattered_abroad_network/ Subscribe to our Substack: https://scatteredabroad.substack.com/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: The Scattered Abroad Network Contact us through email at san@msop.org. If you would like to consider supporting us in any way, don't hesitate to contact us through this email.

Join us as we hear a lesson from one of our bloggers, Noah Olsen, as he presents a wonderful lesson on scruples and the Bible. Visit our linktree: https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork Visit our website, www.scatteredabroad.org, and subscribe to our email list. "Like" and "share" our Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/sapodcastnetwork Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ the_scattered_abroad_network/ Subscribe to our Substack: https://scatteredabroad.substack.com/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: The Scattered Abroad Network Contact us through email at san@msop.org. If you would like to consider supporting us in any way, don't hesitate to contact us through this email.

On today's Take 2 with Jerry & Debbie our topic is: Scrupulosity with special guest Fr. Sam Medley.

What is scrupulosity, and how can it be overcome? Is religious obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) a genuine problem for some people?

Read OnlineBut the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?” Luke 13:14–15Why would the leader of the synagogue be “indignant” that Jesus cured a woman on the sabbath? She was crippled for eighteen years! Imagine, especially, her family. They would have seen her many years of suffering and shared them with her through years of compassion. If they were present when Jesus healed her on the sabbath, would they have immediately thought, “How dare Jesus do this healing of our mother, wife or sister on the sabbath?” Of course not! They would have rejoiced and been filled with awe, gratitude, and even tears. This normal reaction that her family would have had upon witnessing this miracle is the right response. And, of course, the reaction of the leader of the synagogue was deeply disordered. Why would this leader of the synagogue do such a thing? Though he and many other scribes, Sadducess, Pharisees and scholars of the law struggled with envy and hypocrisy, others may sometimes react similarly to this leader of the synagogue for other reasons. One such reason is scrupulosity.Scrupulosity is the tendency to see God and His holy will through the lens of legalism. “Legalism” is not just being faithful to the Law of God, because that is a good thing. Legalism is a misinterpretation of God's Law by which one tends to put more emphasis upon themselves than upon God. A scrupulous person is preoccupied with themself. They tend to be far more concerned with sin than with God Himself. And though it's vital to be concerned with sin, when fear of sinning becomes a form of obsession, then that obsession has the effect of clouding the pure will of God and leaves a person heavily burdened and unable to joyfully live out the authentic will of God.Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was one saint who openly shared her struggles with scrupulosity in her autobiography. Of this struggle, which she referred to as “oversensitivity,” she said, “One would have to pass through this martyrdom to understand it well, and for me to express what I experienced for a year and a half would be impossible.” However, she eventually experienced what she called a “complete conversion” by which the heavy burden of oversensitivity was lifted. Though this oversensitivity oppressed her in various ways, one way it affected her was that she feared that even some of her random thoughts were mortal sins and that she would be condemned for them.Though the leader of the synagogue was most likely not struggling with “oversensitivity” in the same way as Saint Thérèse, he was acting with an extreme scrupulosity which led him to be harshly judgmental and condemning of our Lord for His good deed done to this crippled woman.Reflect, today, upon any tendency you may have with these heavy burdens. Do you worry in an irrational way about sin? Do you ever find yourself obsessing over decisions, worrying that you may make the wrong one? Do you think about yourself far more than you think about God and others? If so, you may also be carrying a similar heavy burden that our Lord wants to lift. Serving God and His holy will must become the deepest joy of our lives, not a heavy burden. If you find your Christian walk more of a burden, then turn your eyes away from yourself and look to the merciful God. Run to Him with the utmost confidence of a child, as Saint Thérèse eventually did, and allow yourself to love Him more authentically, freed of scrupulous and self-imposed burdens. My merciful Lord, You desire to free me from all that burdens me. You desire that I turn to You with the confidence of a child. Please do free me, dear Lord, from any way that I impose burdens upon myself by my obsessions and irrational worries. May I always understand Your infinite love for me and always walk freely and joyfully in Your ways. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Museo Nacional de Arte, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Scrupulosity isn't just “Catholic guilt gone too far”—it's a deeply painful form of OCD that can hijack your relationship with God. In this episode, Dr. Greg sits down with Stephanie Muncy, CatholicPsych's in-house expert (and someone who's lived it), to unpack what scrupulosity really is, how it distorts the spiritual life, and why the path to healing might look very different than you think. Key Topics: How scrupulosity is actually a debilitating form of OCD The scariest part of scrupulosity? It feels like it's about God—but it's really not Why obsessively going to confession or seeking reassurance only makes things worse The true root of scrupulosity isn't spiritual failure—it's unhealed anxiety How the need to “get it right” spiritually often masks a deeper wound Why you can't “logic your way out” of OCD What healing actually looks like—and why it's not about caring less Why even well-meaning spiritual advice can sometimes make things worse The most powerful thing you can offer someone suffering from scrupulosity Learn More: Blog articles by Stephanie Muncy: How to Settle Anxiety in the Heart and Mind of Someone with OCD The Love that Sets Us Free: A Compassionate Path through OCD Previously on the Being Human Podcast: Ep. #22: A Look at Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Scrupulosity Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat: An 8-week course that brings freedom from anxiety and depression by showing you how to live as if you really believe in a God who loves you. The Mindful Catholic by Dr. Greg Bottaro: A practical guide to finding peace in the present moment through Catholic mindfulness. CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism (CPMAP): Catholic accompaniment training that truly integrates faith and science. Learn more about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Parts Work: Ep. #160: Healing through Parts Work Ep. #35: Why Do I Feel Like I Have Conflicting Parts? Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

Send us a textIn this episode, our host has a thoughtful conversation with Pastor Austin McCann about the diverse ways people encounter Christ and begin their faith journey. While some stories of salvation seem simple and clear, others are marked by struggle, questions, and even deep anxiety. Pastor Austin helps us unpack the reality that there is no single blueprint for coming to faith—God works uniquely in every heart.A significant part of the discussion centers on scrupulosity, a form of religious anxiety often tied to OCD-type thinking, where individuals become overly preoccupied with sin, confession, or the fear of not being “saved enough.” This intersection of mental health and spirituality can create heavy burdens for believers who long to follow Jesus but feel trapped in cycles of doubt and guilt. Pastor Austin shares wisdom and pastoral insight on how the church can come alongside those wrestling with these struggles, offering compassion, patience, and the hope of God's grace.If you've ever wondered whether your faith story “measures up” or struggled with relentless thoughts about salvation, this conversation will remind you that God's love isn't bound by formulas or checklists. Instead, it's an invitation into a relationship—one that meets us in our questions, our weaknesses, and even our mental health battles.Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone" Emerge.org - "You Don't Have to Walk Alone" Support the showContact Us: Email the show: experience@emerge.org Emerge.org facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

Scrupulosity can feel like a prison—distorting one's image of God, sowing constant doubt, and making the spiritual life heavy instead of freeing. In this episode, Jess sits down with Fr. Denis Nakkeeran, Dean of Men at St. John's Seminary to explore the roots of scrupulosity and the path toward healing.We discuss:What scrupulosity is and how it differs from OCDHow scrupulosity distorts our image of God—and what vision of God brings healingPractical guidance for confessors, missionaries, and friends accompanying those who struggleWhether you wrestle with scrupulosity yourself or walk alongside someone who does, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and hope in rediscovering a God of mercy.Fr. Denis Nakkeeran has been ordained for 5 years and currently serves as the Dean of Men at St. John Seminary in Boston. He is a moral theologian and formator.

HOW TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX6NdGnm_vA00:00 - Intro04:00 - Specifics concerning the gospel?09:00 - Struggling with Scrupulosity?19:00 - 1 Corinthians 7:12-14?24:00 - Encouragement!29:00 - Should I continue to serve at a Calvinist Church?39:00 - 2 Cor. 13:5?46:00 - 1 Cor. 5:5 person?50:00 - Oneness and Revelation 22?57:00 - Doubting salvation...1:03:00 - What is the correct way to be baptized?1:05:00 - OutroSUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/c/biblelineLIKE https://www.facebook.com/biblelineminCOMMENT ask us a question!SHARE with all your friends and familyDo you have a Bible question? Send your question to questions@biblelineministries.org!Support Bibleline - https://www.calvaryoftampa.org/donate/Bibleline is a ministry of Calvary Community Church in Tampa, Florida and is hosted by Pastor Jesse Martinez.LIKE THIS? CHECK THESE GUYS OUT:@Northlandchurchstc@YankeeArnoldMinistries@focusevangelisticministriesinc@TheKeesBoerMinistryChannel@FishersWithFaithMinistries@QuentinRoad@NorthsideChurchAthens@C4CApologetics@OnoDiamante#bibleline #salvation #liveshow #doubt #scrupulosity #1corinthians #revelation #oneness #trinity #freegrace #baptism #calvinism #church

Have a Social with the Saints! Receive encouragement for your daily life as we meet & discuss this Doctor of the Church, founder of the Redemptorists, a former lawyer, and the patron saint of confessors and of those who suffer from religious scrupulosity. Who was he? How will he help and inspire you? Be encouraged and inspired for your daily life! Get a free quote card and pamphlet of St. Alphonsus Liguori here. We invite you to share them with friends and family. We want to hear from you! What struck you about St. Alphonsus Liguori? Please send us your feedback to join the conversation by email at ministry@pilgrimcenterofhope.org The official Socials with the Saints theme song is “Hero's Ascent” by Chris Haugen. Used with permission. Thanks for listening, and remember, you are never alone in the communion of the saints! May God bless you. Help us spread hope!

Many people get stuck in discernment because fear can disguise itself as prudence. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross is joined by Emmaus Townsend to explore how faith and therapy together can bring clarity and peace when choosing a vocation. Drawing from Catholic tradition and clinical insight, they share practical ways to hear God, calm anxiety, and move forward with confidence. Topics covered: Fear vs prudence, how anxiety can sound holy and how to test the fruit, peace or pressure. Consolation and desolation, simple checks and common mistakes in discernment. Scrupulosity and overchecking, why they derail decisions and what to do instead. Discernment rhythms, prayer, silence, Scripture, sacraments, and spiritual direction. When to wait and when to act, practical steps to decide with peace. Vocations in real life, marriage, priesthood, religious life, and single life. Listening to your body and nervous system to steady worry and make a clear choice. Tune in for a hopeful conversation on faith, psychology, and the path from paralysis to peace in vocation decisions. Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross LMFT #116623

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Do you ever feel like everything you do or think is a sin? Are you experiencing scrupulosity or could you be experiencing OCD, or both? Let's talk about it... https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-struggle-with-scrupulosity https://lifeteen.com/the-perpetual-penitent-identifying-and-healing-from-scrupulosity/ https://www.ncregister.com/blog/12-ways-to-overcome-a-scrupulous-conscience  

In this episode, Carrie speaks with Virginia-based therapist Stephanie Smith about her personal and professional journey with OCD, including how it intersected with her Christian faith. They explore the development of scrupulosity, the healing impact of ICBT, and the importance of separating OCD's voice from the truth of God's grace.Episode Highlights:Stephanie's personal journey with OCD, beginning in childhood and evolving into scrupulosity during her teen years.Why OCD often targets a person's deepest values—such as faith—and how that complicates spiritual life.The difference between fear-based religious behavior and grace-centered faith.The role of perfectionism and guilt in religious OCD and the shift toward grace-based faith.How Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) helps individuals stay grounded in reality and resist OCD's imagined narratives.Explore the Christians Learning ICBT training: https://carriebock.com/training/ Carrie's services and courses: carriebock.com/services/ carriebock.com/resources/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/christianfaithandocd/and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithandocd for the latest updates and sneak peeks.

Would you like some advice for how to work through scrupulosity and salvation OCD from a famous Christian author? Allow me to share with you some important insights about working through salvation OCD by highlighting a statement from John Bunyan himself, who was known to have his own battle with scrupulosity. You are not alone […]

 Transformed Podcast Episode 123 | May 15, 2025 When guilt and fear dominate your Christian walk, it may not be conviction—it may be scrupulosity. Dr. Greg Gifford walks through what the Bible says about conscience, sanctification, and the mercy of God. Learn how to renew your mind and break free from obsessive fear of spiritual failure. ___ Thanks for listening! Transformed would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Transformed we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Send us a text!Welcome to Bright Hearth, a podcast devoted to recovering the lost arts of homemaking and the productive Christian household with Brian and Lexy Sauvé. In this episode, Brian and Lexy talk about hyper-scrupulosity, purity spiraling, and how they relate to the Christian household.We here at New Christendom Press have a big announcement for you: Our 2025 Conference is coming up quick! Head to this link for more info on the conference, as well as our singles mixer.Want premium, handmade soaps without the seed oils or other nasty hormone disrupters? Check out our partners at Indigo Sundries Soap Co., and use code BRIGHTHEARTH for ten percent off your order!Thanks for Farmer Bill's—a Christian-owned meat snacks company in South Dakota—for sponsoring this episode! Check out their delicious biltong (it's like beef jerky, but air-dried with clean ingredients) today! Grab Farmer Bill's Best Seller Bundle w/ Free Shipping and an extra 20% w/ code BRIGHT at FarmerBillsProvisions.com.This episode is also brought to you by Live Oak Integrative Health. Visit https://www.liveoakintegrativehealth.com and connect with owner Rebecca Belch, who has served as a critical care and labor and delivery nurse for 20 years and is a licensed practitioner of functional medicine.Thanks to our friends at Gray Toad Tallow for sponsoring this episode! Head over to graytoadtallow.com and use discount code BRIGHT15 for 15% off your order.Check out Joe Garrisi at Backwards Planning Financial at https://backwardsplanningfinancial.com for all your financial planning needs!Visit KeepwisePartners.com or call Derrick Taylor at 781-680-8000 to schedule a free consultation. Looking for THEE gift to last a thousand generations? Check out Rooted Pines Homestead where they work together as a family economy to create natural wooden toys and herbal remedies. Visit rootedpineshomestead.com and use code BRIGHT10 at checkout for 10% off your first order.Be sure to subscribe to the show, and leave us a 5-Star review wherever you get your podcasts! Buy an item from our Feed the Patriarchy line and support the show at the same time at briansauve.com/bright-hearth.Become a monthly patron at patreon.com/brighthearth and gain access to In the Kitchen, a special bonus show with each main episode!Support the show

Struggling with scrupulosity and unsure how it fits within the Catholic faith? Joe Heschmeyer explores how to navigate this challenge, along with preparing for OCIA, understanding the Eucharist in John 6, and the biblical basis for praying to saints. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 10:51 – I'm looking into Catholicism. What should I be doing in preparation for starting OCIA classes? 29:33 – I've been told that I have really bad scrupulosity, and I don’t see how that is compatible with Catholicism. 38:30 – Are Catholics wrong about the Eucharist because of John 6:60-63? 41:51 – I'm in OCIA. What do candidates do if they sin since they can't go to confession? 46:35 – Why do Catholics pray to the saints? Is there a scriptural basis for it?

Today our guest is Maggie Rowe, former writer on Arrested Development and author of Sin Bravely, a book about her experiences with moral scrupulosity, or sin-focused OCD. We talk a lot about OCD on this show, so here's a guest who wrote an entire book about growing up with religious obsessions! She'll tell us about her first obsessions about what was and was not sin, how she started to analyze the Bible with a critical mind to try to understand how to avoid hell, and how her parents tried to help but her church leaders didn't understand OCD and made it worse. We'll talk about the compulsions she would engage in to make sure she was being the right amount of righteous, how she checked herself into a treatment facility for Christians, the incorrect diagnosis of bulimia she received, and how she finally got diagnosed with moral scrupulosity and began getting the treatment she actually needed. Trust Me is sponsored by ZocDoc! Stop putting off those doctors appointments! Go to ZocDoc.com/trustme to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor TODAY! BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast