Expert: Carl Fuglein - 1/30/2006

Question
Ok lets say that you took a test awhile back. It was in a rom with other people. And you know you take it then turn it in. Now lets say after its been graded and all that stuff. That a thought enters your head that you cheated. Now oyu had an opportunity to cheat  but you didint. But a little voice ssays you cheated on that test. Now the other people can say no you didnt  i saw you or someone else saw you the whole time you wouldnt have had time to cheat. Or if youd cheated youd have been caught or turned in.
But yet you cant shake the feeling youve done something wrong. Is this a spiritual attack ? or what is it. Everyone says i didnt cheat and theres no evidence that i did. But i doubt my self. Is this an attack by satan or is this  well what is this ? (Note Im a Christian and have very high standards i would never go as low as to cheat)

Answer
Bob-

Thanks for writing.

I think your mind is just playing tricks on you.  It could be a Satanic attack, or it could be that something else is on your mind that might make you feel guilty.  Is there something else that's been troubling you?  Sometimes, our minds work in unusual ways and substitute one act for another - perhaps you DID do something wrong or unethical, but your mind has substituted the test.  This is just conjecture on my part, but will give you something to think about.

You say your standards are high and you would never cheat.  Good.  If you truly believe that, and you've gone to others to see if they thought you cheated and the answer was no, then I wouldn't be too worried about it.

If the feeling persists, you may want to talk it over with a parent, teacher, counselor, or pastor.  There may be some underlying cause that your mind is blanking on.

hope this helps.  Let me know.

blessings,
carl