What is scrupulosity, and how can it be overcome?

Answer

Scrupulosity, sometimes referred to as “religious OCD,” is essentially an excessive and debilitating preoccupation with morality. Paranoid Schizophrenia, Delusional Disorder, and similar psychological conditions may involve obsessive religious thoughts or delusions of a religious nature. Additionally, religious idiosyncrasies may manifest in other personality disorders. Scrupulosity is recognized as a psychological condition in contemporary psychology.

Individuals experiencing scrupulosity often fixate on a specific moral aspect, such as sexual purity or blasphemy. A person with scrupulosity may continuously question their salvation or take extreme measures to ensure forgiveness. They might engage in religious services compulsively, recite repetitive prayers for salvation, perform religious rituals until they feel they have done so flawlessly, seek constant reassurance from clergy members, make frequent commitments to God, or obsess over concerns of moral compromise.

It is crucial to distinguish scrupulosity from religious observance; individuals of the same faith will perceive the behavior of the scrupulous as obsessive. Scrupulosity is clearly different from living out the Christian faith. Christians are called to obey God and uphold morality. Nevertheless, we experience freedom in Christ and have complete confidence in our salvation. Our faith is not based on works but on a transformative life empowered by God. Our faith is not marked by anxiety but by a foundation of peace (John 14;16:33). So, how should Christians address scrupulosity?

Firstly, it is essential to grasp the truth about God. He is perfect in His justice, abundant in His grace, and acts out of love because He is love “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”, (1 John 4:8). God does not treat us as our works deserve (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23) but offers us a way of salvation “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”, (John 3:16). We are saved not by our own works but through placing our faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). And, just as we did nothing to earn God’s love or merit His gift of salvation, we do nothing to maintain God’s favor. Second Corinthians 5:17–21 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. . . . God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The truth of Scripture is that the behaviors associated with scrupulosity are unnecessary, and the fears of the scrupulous are unfounded.

However, for those suffering with scrupulosity, the solution is not always as easy as being reminded of the truth. Doubt still creeps in. Sometimes this doubt can be addressed through waging spiritual warfare, reminding oneself of the truth, and praying for God’s assurance. But, given the nature of the illness, sometimes such religious acts feed the scrupulous behavior and confound the problem. Those who suffer from scrupulosity should seek professional help from pastors, biblical counselors, and medical doctors. There are special therapy protocols that have proven helpful in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that may also address scrupulosity. Certain medications may also help.