🔴 Working Out Your Salvation is Not What You May Think | Sharing Your OCD Struggles with Wisdom
Mark DeJesus
teaching
June 7, 2026
Today we walk through one of the passages of Scripture that trips up many believers who struggle with assurance of their salvation, their standing with God or wrestling with anxiety regarding their faith walk. But I believe as we simply break down the words and context, you will find that this passage of Scripture communicates something that is not often brought out. Join me as I conduct a deep dive into Philippians 2:12-13 and help you see how the phrase “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” is actually a very empowering exhortation that Paul delivers, not something to induce anxiety and torment.
From there, I began to address questions, I shift into a pastoral processing time of Q&A, addressing the subject of “once saved always saved,” with a balanceds perspective, while sharing the importance of working through OCD when it comes to struggles with anxiety and obession about your salvation.
I respond to a detailed question from someone battling salvation anxiety who keeps getting triggered by sermons that hammer “wretched sinners” and disobedience, and I talk through how to discern when to take a break from certain church environments versus when to stay and use those moments as “exposure” without feeding compulsions. A big theme that emerges is how deeply the church often mishandles the love of God—treating it as “mushy” or dangerous—while Scripture makes love the central, non-negotiable ingredient in everything we do. I share my own grief over how many lives have been damaged or frozen by legalism, fear-based teaching, and an over-reliance on “God told me” language, and I contrast that with the liberty and relational freedom we actually have in Christ.
Along the way, Melissa and I reflect on our own journey out of religious bondage into greater grace, we talk honestly about church culture, false measures of “success,” and how God still uses painful seasons for our growth. We also keep some lightness in the mix—checking in on the Church Lady character, laughing about some of the chat’s ideas for her backstory and future episodes—because sometimes humor is part of how God gives us breathing room while we untangle heavy spiritual and mental health battles.
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Disclaimer: The content published is for informational purposes. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is purely educational in nature. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read, heard or viewed in our material.
The resources given are not designed to practice medicine or give professional medical advice, including, without limitation, medical direction concerning someone's medical and mental health. Any resources given are not to be considered complete and does not cover all issues related to mental and physical health. In addition, any information given should not replace consultation with your doctor or any other mental health providers and/or specialists.
0:00 Intro
2:15 How to Find Freedom
7:40 Little Chit Chat / The Church Lady Sings
13:20 Greet The Chats
16:10 How To Announce Our Last Name
22:45 Philippians 2: 12-13 Working Out Your Salvation Is Not What You May Think
1:17:40 Dance Break
1:19:40 Once Saved Only Saved??
1:25:25 What Does Everyone Want to Know or See About The Church Lady/Gentlemans Story?
1:27:10 Marks Book Project
1:29:20 Salvation OCD / Learning Love / Bad Advice and Church Avoidance
1:50:15 Black & White Preaching, Condemning, Obedience From The Pulpit
Scripture
PhilippiansPhilippians 2Philippians 2:12Philippians 2:12-13
Topics
ocdscrupulosityreligious ocdrelationship ocdperfectionismanxietyheart healingmental health
























