5/30/2023 0 Comments John bunyan blasphemous thoughts![]() In certain cases, these types of thoughts may also be related to a disorder, called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). That type of disorder can also be exacerbated by spiritual attacks. If we make a decent effort to resist, and the evil thoughts keep coming back and trying to invade our minds and hearts, we can trust that God knows what he is doing. He may be giving us a season of battle for our own sake, or for the sake of the Mystical Body of Christ, or both. We can continue to trust in him, and beg for the grace to persevere in our struggle to be faithful: “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). On the other hand, if we are partially responsible for the origin of the evil thoughts, then we need to take the ax to the root and chop away. If we are filling our minds with worldly images and messages, or flirting with evil influences in what we listen to or how we spend our time, we are opening the door to evil thoughts. In a sense, we become their accomplices we put ourselves in the path of sin. In this case, we can’t expect God to remove the evil thoughts unless we repent and remove ourselves from the evil influences. Benedict did when he threw himself into a thornbush in order to quench the fire of lustful temptations. Paul’s example. Even if we feel ourselves weak, we can still put up some resistance, which will eventually repel the spiritual attack: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). And if our resistance takes the form of turning our thoughts to God, not just gritting our teeth and trying to exert massive self-control, then God will surely come to our rescue if we persevere: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Sometimes the battle rages for long periods God permits that in order to help us grow in virtue, self-knowledge, humility, and wisdom. Sometimes we must make strong, courageous decisions to resist the evil attacks, as St. Paul explains that he “takes every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When God permits us to be barraged by evil thoughts, we can follow St. When evil thoughts knock at the door of your mind, refuse to let them in. You may not be able to keep them from knocking, but by saying a short prayer (“Lord Jesus, have mercy on me… Lord Jesus, I love you… Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you…”) or praying a favorite line of Scripture (“Let it be done to me according to your word”, “Trust in Him at all times”, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” ), you may be able to resist letting them in. If they continue to clamor, continue to resist them: make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament go to confession open your Bible and read the Word for fifteen minutes do a work of mercy for someone refocus on the task at hand… I don’t know enough about your particular situation to give specific advice about how you may be able to deal with this issue. But I can give some general advice – which may also be of use to other readers. In your article, you state: “…it is worth mentioning that many saints experienced violent and intense temptations to blasphemy towards the end of their lives, when they were well advanced in the spiritual life.” Which saints had bad thoughts or temptations? I ask God to not let these thoughts enter my mind, but they still do. This happens even in church or while praying the Rosary. This was a while ago but now I have thoughts about God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and Mary. It was not something I expected when I heard the song. I know that I heard a song blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. Dear Father John, lately I have been experiencing an issue in relation to certain lines in certain prayers.
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