I recently received this question:

“I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and I think bad thoughts against the Holy Ghost…even thoughts of him being of the devil which I know isn’t true –  it’s just my mind.  I can’t make it stop and I’m taking medicine for it.  It helped some but it didn’t take the thoughts away completely.   I hope this isn’t going to turn me against the Holy Ghost.  I don’t know what to do help.”

Here is how I answered:

“Your question is interesting.  I had a client who had the exact same fear. Although I have not met you and cannot diagnose over the Internet, I do think it is definitely the OCD, and not your sin nature.  In addition to the medication, I wonder if you’ve met with a clinically trained counselor?  I think some CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) would be very helpful.

The reason for the religiosity probably comes out with the OCD because your faith is important to you.  OCD typically surrounds issues of importance. An example of this was a client I saw who kept fearing she would break up with her fiance’ even though she was madly in love with him.”