An intrusive thought is an unwanted, unwelcome thought, dream, image, compulsion, or desire that occurs without direct intention or derived from a stimuli. We have all had them; sometimes they are shocking “I can’t believe I just thought that.” Similar to that annoying song you can’t seem to get out of your head, they consume your inner thought-life. Sometimes they are enticing, “that would be so great right now.” It may seem like we are powerless against them, after all, I don’t want to think this way or about that thing. These thoughts may be overwhelming, obsessive, violent, sexual, sinful, disturbing, distracting, or just plain weird.
Intrusive thoughts have many different possible outlets. They may lead to fear, anxiety, or depression. “What if my child get’s into an accident?” “What if my wife leaves me?” “What do they really think of me?” “Will I always be this broken inside?” These thoughts drive us towards anxiety and a desire to plan and control our lives. We strategize, plan, and control to ensure that everything ends up “perfectly.” Not only do we develop a plan B, but also plan C through Z. Alternatively, it could lead us to despair and hopelessness.
Trauma or abuse may lead to intrusive thoughts, as in PTSD. Our minds relive what we just want to forget. Night terrors jolt us from our sleep. Intrusive thoughts cause flashbacks to the event and paralyze us in our thoughts. Our bodies react in panic attacks, hypervigilance, emotional outburst, breakdowns, rage, stress, and fatigue. We do anything to avoid reliving what happened which leads to avoidance, busying ourselves, or numbing the pain (Escapism).
Intrusive thoughts may be sexual in nature. A beautiful woman walking by leads to lustful thoughts. A past sexual encounter pops in your mind at inappropriate times. These thoughts might even be disordered in that they are homosexual, incestuous, pedophilial; leading you to question your sexuality or salvation.
Intrusive thoughts may lead to a questioning of reality or drive us to inappropriate or bizarre behaviors as in schizophrenia or bi-polar. They seem like voices directing me and driving me towards action. What’s interesting is that there is usually a moral aspect to these thoughts. They most often push us towards sinful and inappropriate actions.
There are two incorrect views of intrusive thoughts. First, that I am powerless over my thoughts and do not contribute to them. These thoughts pop into my mind and are involuntary or “subconscious.” The second incorrect view is that I am fully responsible for every thought that comes through my mind. Both are opposite ends of the spectrum and both are inaccurate. There are ways that we contribute to our intrusive thoughts, but not always. Most of our thoughts arise from our desires and reflect what we value the most (Matthew 6:21); however, what our thoughts reveal may be at odds with what we say we value. At times our thoughts are random, bizarre and do not reflect our beliefs, values, or desires. It’s important to consider our thoughts and seek to understand why we have them, but don’t fall into the trap of over-analyzing them.
Are Intrusive Thoughts a Sin?
Intrusive thoughts are a symptom of the Fall into sin (Genesis 3). Sin affects us from three different sources: our flesh, the world, and the devil. We are born sinful, and our flesh is in rebellion to God. There is a constant pull away from righteousness and towards sin. Even Christians experience this pull towards sinful thoughts and actions, known as indwelling sin. Our bodies breakdown in disease, disfunction, and sickness that ends in death. The world is under the curse of sin and actively wars against God. People sin against others or have sinful intent in their actions which contribute to intrusive thoughts. Finally, we have an enemy seeking to devour us through his accusations and deceit (1 Peter 5:8, John 8:44). Our intrusive thoughts are a result of our flesh, the world, and the devil.
While thoughts may be intrusive and unwelcome, there is hope. Our identity is not defined by our thoughts. For those that put their faith in Christ, our identity is firmly rooted in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Christ has set us free from our bondage to sin and death through his sacrificial death (Romans 6:6). We have been called, justified, adopted and are being sanctified until we are glorified (Romans 5:1; 8:14-15; 8:29-30). However, we still experience the consequences of sin and may still be voluntarily enslaved to sin (Romans 6:13). This tension is referred to as already-but-not-yet. We must hold both of these truths in tension as we examine how to deal with intrusive thoughts.
Temptations
First, we need to distinguish between temptations and sin. A thought, desire, or temptation is not in itself sinful. James 1:15 tells us that desires give birth to sin. Acting on the desire, whether through fantasy or action, results in sin. When confronted with an intrusive though, Christians have the choice through the freedom found in Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires” (Ephesians 4:22). We may endure temptations because God is faithful to not let us be tempted beyond what we can withstand through his strength, not our own (1 Corinthians 10:13). Christ was tested in every way that we are and endured it without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Since Christ knows what we are going through, we can confidently receive the mercy and grace we need to endure (Hebrews 4:16).
Captive Thoughts
We are not powerless over our thoughts; instead, we are commanded to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Our minds are the frontline of the war against our flesh. In our union with Christ, we have been given the power to destroy the strongholds over our minds. To hold every thought captive means that we choose to not dwell on the though sinful, inappropriate, unhelpful thoughts. One of the primary ways we battle sinful thoughts is through Scripture memorization and meditation (Hebrews 4:12). When tempted, Christ responded with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). He brought his thoughts and temptations into submission by appealing to the truth. In order to do this, we must know God’s word (Psalm 119:11). Along with Scripture memorization, meditation is a process of intentional focus and reflecting on a passage or verse for a given time to fully understand its implications and meaning (Psalm 1:2).
Better Things
To use a sports metaphor, holding every thought captive is the defense, renewing our minds is the offense (Romans 12:2). We retrain our minds, shape our affections, and redirect our inner man by setting our minds on Godly things (Colossians 3:2). This isn’t the power of positive thinking, but a purposeful redirecting our eyes off of ourselves (or our problems) and onto God who is redeeming us through his love. Augustine spoke of our sinful state as incurvatus in se (curved in on ourselves or inwardly, selfishly focused). Philippians 4:8 encourages us, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Change your focus from the intrusive thoughts, to righteous thoughts that further God’s kingdom. This may be spending time in prayer for the needs of the people around us, counting our blessings, thinking of ways to serve others, and/or meditating on the promises of God.
Through Christ we may have a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This may mean that we still experience intrusive thoughts to some extent, but the intrusive thoughts do not need to push us towards sinful or unhealthy responses. There is freedom found in Christ. If you are suffering from intrusive thoughts, reach out to your pastor, contact us or a local biblical counselor, or trusted Christian friend for help. You do not need to fight this on your own.