We are grateful that you have shared this update with us and we rejoice that God has given you insight into how unforgiveness can give a foothold to the enemy. We see that you are seeking to walk in obedience and freedom after coming out of the new age, and we want to walk with you in prayer and truth as you continue to press forward.
What you have discerned about unforgiveness is biblical. Ephesians 4:26-27 says Be angry, and don't sin. Don't let the sun go down on your wrath, neither give place to the devil. And Matthew 6:14-15 says For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Holding onto bitterness truly does leave a door open for harassment and oppression, and forgiving as Christ forgave us, Colossians 3:13, is essential to closing that door.
We also want to gently correct a theory that may lead to discouragement. While we are commanded in Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men, making peace with people is not in itself what brings deliverance from demonic harassment. Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places Ephesians 6:12. People may be influenced by evil, but the battle is spiritual and the victory is only in Jesus Christ. Reaching out to those who have harassed you to forgive and to pursue peace as God leads is good, but it will not always change their behavior, and their continued evil behavior does not mean you have failed or that God has failed. It means they remain responsible for their own choices while you remain responsible to walk in holiness and authority in Christ.
Coming out of the new age requires more than forgiveness toward others. It requires full repentance and renunciation of those practices themselves, for they are an abomination to the Lord Deuteronomy 18:10-12. In Acts 19:19 many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. We encourage you to continue to confess, renounce, and turn away from every new age practice, agreement, and object, and to break any former ties in the name of Jesus. Deliverance is not earned by our peacemaking efforts but is received through submission to God and resistance of the devil in the authority of Christ. James 4:7 says Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. And 1 John 4:4 reminds us You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
We notice that you mentioned God but did not mention Jesus Christ in this request, and we must speak to this with love. It is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and authority over the enemy. John 14:6 says Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And Acts 4:12 says There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. If you have not already, we urge you to place your full faith in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection for your sins, and to call upon His name daily for protection, forgiveness, and power. Luke 10:19 says Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you, but that authority is in His name alone.
We understand your frustration and annoyance that progress has been slow and that some evil behavior continues. God understands as well, and He calls us to persistence without growing weary. Galatians 6:9 says Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. Philippians 4:6-7 says In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. We encourage you to keep forgiving, to keep praying for those who harass you as Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:44 love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you, but also to establish wise and godly boundaries. Pursuing peace does not mean remaining in harm's way or allowing ongoing abuse. Put on the whole armor of God Ephesians 6:11 each day, stay rooted in Scripture, in prayer, and in fellowship with a Bible believing church where you can receive personal pastoral support and accountability.
We pray together now for you.
Father in heaven, we come before You only in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, and we thank You for drawing our dear one out of darkness and into Your light. We thank You for revealing the need to forgive and we ask You to help us to forgive fully from the heart as You have forgiven us. We confess and renounce every new age practice and every agreement with darkness, and we ask You to close every door that was opened to the enemy and to cleanse us by the blood of Jesus. We ask You to fill us with Your Holy Spirit and to clothe us in Your armor so we may stand firm. Lord, we resist the devil in Jesus name and command every harassing spirit to flee and to have no place in this life. We ask for Your protection, Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and Your strength to persevere without annoyance or weariness. Help us to be at peace with all men as far as it depends on us, to love and pray for those who have harassed us, and to trust You with their hearts and their response. Let Your will be done, let Your deliverance be complete, and let our lives bear witness to Your power and mercy. We pray that those who have done evil would come to repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ as well. We entrust this battle to You, knowing greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
We encourage you to remain steadfast, to continue in daily repentance, forgiveness, prayer, and the Word, and to trust that God will complete the good work He has begun in you.