12 Ways to Overcome a Scrupulous Conscience

DIFFICULT MORAL QUESTIONS: The good news is that scrupulosity is not incompatible with holiness. More good news is that the malady can be overcome. Here are 12 points of advice for doing so. Most of us have experienced scruples in our spiritual life and some of us have found them spiritually crippling. St. Ignatius of Loyola defines scruple as “when I freely decide that that is sin which is not sin.” The scrupulous conscience sees sin where there is none. We should distinguish this from a sensitive or tender conscience. A tender conscience is a true conscience. It is sensitive to occasions of venial sin. For example, it avoids ever speaking contrary to what one believes to be true, even in small matters, so-called “white lies.” It avoids watching television shows that disrespect the Lord, his commandments or the Church, because one doesn’t want the images and blasphemies in one’s mind. It refrains from negativity, especially when speaking about others who are not present. A scrupulous …