Anybody out there obsessive compulsive? I think to a certain extent, everyone has some sort of OCD...one form of it may be where we do something over and over and over and over and over {sorry, got a little compulsive:)} again and we just seem to be going in circles...
I think one of the main reasons for this is because we try to have control. Nothing wrong with wanting a certain amount of control in our lives. We should all plan and set goals and analyze our strengths and weaknesses, but sometimes we can allow this to creep into our relationship with God. It can take on many forms. We lack trust in God so we have compulsive thoughts of worry and doubt. Our thought life can go crazy insane with coping mechanisms and superstitions because we try and "manipulate" God into our ways of thinking. We can even be Falling into sin and then try to control our guilt with sacrifices or rituals to overcome the guilt.
This is what The Prophet Micah told the people of Israel (Micah 6:6–8 ) as they were living far from the truth. Micah ends up telling the people of Israel that expressions of sacrifice and practicing "religion" are not what God desires.
Sacrifice vs Obedience
God does not want us in a circle of sin and sacrifice. If we sin and then sacrifce, then sin and sacrifice, then sin and sacrifice, all we do is go around in an OCD circle. What God desires from us is Fellowship. Or another way of saying it: God wants us to Obey, not to Obsess.
Here are a few Scriptures of what God requires. They will help us to Obey and Trust God instead of obsessing and trying to manipulate God:
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV). Emphasis added.
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:34-40 NIV)". Emphasis added.
[Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ] So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."- Colossians 2:6-7. Emphasis added.
