Question about intrusive Thoughts

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Hello everyone,

I have a random question about intrusive thoughts out of curiosity. So let’s say you suffer from thoughts that make you want do doubt or blaspheme but you never meant them at the end of the day, does this have a permanent imprint on your soul when you die? I.e. does this follow your soul when you are judged?

Thanks
 
A person with intrusive thoughts has a mental health issue that needs care from a qualified therapist and spiritual director.

Please get help.
 
I think it depends on how intrusive those thoughts are. If they haunt you day in-day out you may need professional help. If they are random thoughts that you try to banish as they come there is no sin involved. Pray to resist lingering on these thoughts and where they may lead. When I am plagued with intrusive (lustful) thoughts I often pray a Hail Mary or the St. Michael Prayer.

If you invite these thoughts or deliberately linger on them, simply bring them to your next confession - depending on their gravity they are likely only venial sins, if that.
 
Much has to do with what is meant by “at the end of the day”.

Remember all sorts of thoughts can “happen to one out of the blue” and not be sins – not be consented to but rather set aside in a virtuous way.
 
j1024 said:
Hello everyone,

I have a random question about intrusive thoughts out of curiosity. So let’s say you suffer from thoughts that make you want do doubt or blaspheme but you never meant them at the end of the day, does this have a permanent imprint on your soul when you die? I.e. does this follow your soul when you are judged?

Thanks
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No. Promise. When you recognize you are having them, (and I know they can go on a while before you objectively recognize them) try singing a hymn or saying a prayer. I think singing works best for me. But sometimes you can’t, or they look at you funny in the grocery store. 😛

God understands it all. He loves you. You’re okay.
 
I’ve asked one of my saints to spiritually hit me with a broom to distract me when that happens, to not go down that road. “Distract” yourself as it were, with prayer, lift up your mind to God, mentally slam the door on that tempation.

Here’s a link to “My Catholic Faith” by Bp. Morrow for further information on actual sin:
catholicbook.com/AgredaCD/MyCatholicFaith/mcfc021.htm

take care,
amsjj 🙂

+++
Jesus, God and man,
imprisoned by love in Thy most holy Sacrament,
have mercy upon us.
  • Blessed John Henry Newman, December 22, 1851
Tú y yo sabemos por la fe que oculto en las especies sacramentales está Cristo,
ese Cristo con su Cuerpo, con su Sangre, con su Alma, y con su Divinidad,
prisonero de amor.
  • San Josemaría Escrivá, 1 junio 1974
… Our Lord Himself frequently said; and it is recorded as an Apostolic tradition from Him by St. Justin the Martyr. He says ‘Jesus often said, “They who are near Me are near a fire”’.
  • Abp. W. B. Ullathorne, August 1st 1886
 
For example, if I had these thoughts, it would usually happen during prayer. Obviously I don’t mean these thoughts, but it always confused me if they would follow me until death or it would be sinning. If someone told me that it wasn’t sinning and it wouldn’t stick on my soul, then the thoughts would go away easier. It’s weird, I know, but that’s why I asked the question on the forums.

As for getting help, these thoughts won’t bother me as much and go away if I get clarification that intrusive thoughts, blasphemous thoughts aren’t sin. I already know lustful thoughts come and go, but I wasn’t sure about blashemy.
 
I sometimes have doubts about the existence of God, questions about whether or not all this struggle with faith is worth the effort, things like that. I don’t let those thoughts linger very long, either, though it is tempting to ponder them. I pray when they come and do not worry that they may be sinful as they have come unbidden.

If you are worried about your specific thoughts, please discuss them with your confessor or spiritual director.
 
j1024 said:
For example, if I had these thoughts, it would usually happen during prayer. Obviously I don’t mean these thoughts, but it always confused me if they would follow me until death or it would be sinning. If someone told me that it wasn’t sinning and it wouldn’t stick on my soul, then the thoughts would go away easier. .
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Yes, they will. So just let them go, because they really aren’t about you, they are just chemical detritus and not sinful.
 
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