What does the Bible say about intrusive thoughts?
Have you ever had a strange thought suddenly pop into your head for no reason? Perhaps you were shocked or annoyed at what came to your mind because you had no intention of having this thought. These are called intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts are unpleasant images or disturbing ideas that pop into our minds unexpectedly. They may be sexual, violent, or full of negative self-hatred. If you’ve struggled with intrusive thoughts, you’re not unique. These unsettling thoughts happen to everyone, even strong Christians, no matter how strong their faith is. Keep reading to understand if intrusive thoughts are sinful and how to deal with them biblically.
What are some Intrusive thoughts people experience?
A variety of intrusive thoughts can crop up in your brain. Here are just a few
- Fearful thoughts
- Sexual thoughts
- Violent thoughts
- Negative thoughts
- Self-doubt or hatred
Are intrusive thoughts a sin?
John Piper calls intrusive thoughts harassing thoughts. He suggests we shouldn’t become too concerned with these thoughts for two reasons. First of all, Satan’s main scheme for destroying Christians is to deceive us with harmful thoughts. Secondly, as Christians, even though we’re saved, we are prone to struggle with our sinful nature, which can bring unpleasant thoughts into our minds. If you are a Christian, Satan has no power over you. When you put your faith and trust in Christ’s work on the cross for your sins, God calls you his child. Even though we are saved, we live in our earthly bodies with a sinful nature. God tells us that if we sin, we can confess our sins to him, and he will forgive us.
Just because you have an intrusive thought doesn’t mean you’re sinning. These thoughts are nothing more than temptations that all Christians experience. Even Jesus was tempted, but he never sinned. What matters most is how you deal with them. Thoughts are sinful if you dwell, harbor, or act upon them. Even then, Christ promises to forgive you if you confess your sin to him.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: (Psalm 139:23KJV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.(Philippians 4:8 NIV)
But this is the new covenant I will make
with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds,
and I will write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.:(Hebrews 8:10 NLT)
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (Mark 7:20-22 ESV)
How to deal with intrusive thoughts biblically?
If you view intrusive thoughts as harassment, it’s easy to deal with them like you would a bug buzzing around your head. Get rid of it quickly. Push it away. Refuse to allow the thought to mess with you. You’re in control of your mind. Take a step back and remember the truth of God’s word. Talk to yourself. Tell yourself scriptures to anchor your thoughts with truth rather than the lies of intrusive thoughts.
- Pray for God’s help to fight these tempting thoughts.
- Read God’s word to remind yourself of His work and power.
- Take your thoughts captive, controlling them rather than allowing them to control you.
- Guard what you see and hear. Avoid movies, social media, or music that doesn’t glorify God. These things can affect your thoughts.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, or the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NASB)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17 NKJV)
Make war
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ( 1 Timothy 6:12 ESV)
As Christians, we must fight the world, our flesh, and the devil in our walk of faith. The Lord helps us wage war against temptations through his Holy Spirit. We can remember that to give us strength when we’re weak. Here are some ways to make war.
Jesus has victory over Satan
When Jesus died on the cross, he took upon himself the punishment we deserved. When he rose from the dead, he broke the power of death. Jesus’s victory disarmed Satan’s power. He has no power over us.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NIV).
But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV)
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18 NLT)
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NKJV)
Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NASB)
We have the Holy Spirit to help us
As Christians, the Holy Spirit guides and helps us resist temptations such as intrusive thoughts daily. The Holy Spirit will bring scripture to mind to give us the strength to live for Christ.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26 NIV)
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45 NASB)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.(Colossians 3:2 NLT)
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,(Romans 8:6 NASB)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)
Fight the flesh
Of course, as Christians, we must live holy lives and obey God’s word. We should avoid things such as
- Sexual temptations that may lead us to sin-movies, books, social media, or music.
- Things that encourage our fears-Fears stirred up by the news or social media
- Activities that we know don’t honor God- Don’t get drunk or cheat on your taxes.
- Resist anger or violence- Yelling at our kids, spouse, or road rage.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NASB)
For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV)
So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.(1 Peter 1:13 NLT)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7 KJV)
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.(Job 31:1 NIV)
Give me understanding, so that I may comply with Your Law. And keep it with all my heart.(Psalm 119:34 NASB)
Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.(Romans 7:25 NLT)
The power of community
As Christians, being a church community member helps us walk with the Lord. Hearing biblical preaching guides us and helps us think differently about our lives. We desire to obey God’s word and want to please him. In the church, we have fellowship with other Christians who encourage us in our faith and help us when intrusive thoughts or other temptations. Being part of a church community where we’re known and cared for is critical for our growth as Christians. When we feel weak spiritually, others help us; when others feel weak, we can do the same for them. The give and take of the Christian community helps the church glorify Christ.
and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB)
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV)
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.(Philippians 2:5 NLT)
But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. (Luke 21:34 ESV)
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all [speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV)
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? (James 4:1 ESV)
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 NLT)
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.(Hebrews 2:1 NLT)
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. (Titus 1:15 NASB)
The power of confession
Confessing our intrusive thoughts to mature Christians who we trust helps us fight the temptation to obsess over these thoughts, allowing them to control us or cause us to sin. Being tempted isn’t a sin. Sin happens when we act upon our temptations. So, confessing our temptations can help us avoid sinning. Of course, if we sin, we can confess to God first, but also to those we trust, and ask for help and accountability.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.(1 John 1:8 KJV)
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an [Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; (1 John 2:1 NASB)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139: 23-24 ESV)
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)
Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.
(Colossians 3:2 ESV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalms 19:14 NKJV)
“I the Lord search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
according to what their deeds deserve.”(Jeremiah 17:10 NIV)
God’s faithfulness in our struggles
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:12-15 ESV)
In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul writes about his conversion. He explains that he was a sinner and a hater of God. Because of Jesus Christ’s mercy and kindness, he was saved. Our story is the same. There was nothing good in us. We acted ignorantly and in unbelief, resisting God’s truth. But God showed us mercy and grace by saving us sinners. Because of this, we can come to him in our need. He promises to help us when we cry out to him. When intrusive thoughts pop into our minds, we can cry to God to help us fight them.
Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. (Jeremiah 33:3 NLT)
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3 ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV)
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:17 KJV)
Conclusion
As upsetting as intrusive thoughts are, we must remember they are harassment from Satan or our flesh at war with us. We can control and swat them away like a bug circling our heads. We do this with God’s word, Christian fellowship, and remembering that Christ died for us. We have the Holy Spirit to guide and help us. Intrusive thoughts aren’t necessarily sinful if we resist and refuse to act upon them. We must not allow our minds to be filled with things that would tempt us towards intrusive thoughts. The good news is that God is there. Cry out to him when an intrusive thought pops into your mind. He promises to help us in our time of need.
