My unbelieving family - repost

[Jesus_is_king]

My mum told me that she had been getting tarot card readings coming up on her fyp (Instagram reels or Facebook, as she doesn't have Tiktok, but she gets pulled just as easily into the doomscrolling) & she watched them. Even though she seems to not believe them or think whatever happens happens, I feel uneasy about this. She also said something about zodiac signs too, it sounded like she meant in relation to the tarot cards, but not so sure.

My brother has had sleep paralysis & seen a demon as he asked it to reveal itself, but even though I told him to call upon the name of Jesus, he refused & wants to see what will happen.

As the only believer in my family, God is using me as a vessel to speak to my family, but as an introvert, someone struggling with judgement & on how to love & serve those who are hard to love, it's quite hard for me to do this, hence why I need Christ to help me through this, as nothing is impossible with Him.

I find it hard to not see them as a project or like I don't have to always talk about Jesus to them, especially as my mum is on the fence as to whether God exists & my brother believes in evolution & seems closed minded when it comes to an idea of a divine being, let alone it being Jesus.

What do I do in these situations? Obviously leaning on Jesus & asking Him to speak through me, which I did a little. But, when it comes to things like what I mentioned above, I don't take it lightly as someone who was a part of new age, even if only for not too long & not too deep into it. But, I used to be like my mum & scroll & see a tarot card reading & believe it. Even though she may be in a different boat, not the exact same experience, it feels familiar & I don't want her to be disappointed or to end up giving satan a foothold, especially as my mum & brother are both so unaware of the spiritual realm & the truth, that Jesus is real & that so are demons & the devil & angels.

Update:
There's not much of an update, other than the fact that sometimes my brother or even my mum make jokes that I don't like, whether about me personally or it feels directed towards the fact that I'm a Christian & they don't understand it all. Yesterday, my brother said something about me personally, which I didn't like & it feels like a constant thing & so I walked away & didn't comment on what he said. Is that the right thing to do? Or should I be saying something about it? But, a lot of the time when I say something, it tends to end in an argument with my brother & that's why I'd rather say nothing, so to avoid that happening.

Thank you to anyone who replies or prays for this, God bless you

 

[Articles]

We hear your heart, and we stand with you in prayer and concern for your family. The spiritual dangers you’ve described, tarot cards, zodiac signs, and the invitation of demonic presence, are not to be taken lightly. Scripture is clear: "There shall not be found with you anyone who... practices divination, tells fortunes, interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who consults the dead. For whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord" (Deuteronomy 18:10-12 WEB). These practices open doors to deception and spiritual bondage, even if your mother doesn’t fully believe in them. The enemy doesn’t need her faith to work, he only needs her curiosity.

Your brother’s experience with sleep paralysis and the demonic presence is deeply alarming. His refusal to call on the name of Jesus is a tragic rejection of the very power that could set him free. Jesus said, "In my name they will cast out demons" (Mark 16:17 WEB), and His name is the only one with authority over the forces of darkness. We must pray fervently that his heart would soften and that he would recognize the danger he’s inviting. His closed-mindedness toward God is not just intellectual stubbornness, it’s a spiritual stronghold that needs to be broken in Jesus’ name.

You’re carrying a heavy burden as the only believer in your family, and we want to encourage you: God has not called you to fix them, but to faithfully love them, speak truth in love, and trust Him with the results. Your struggle with seeing them as "projects" is understandable, but remember, "God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 WEB). Jesus loved us when we were still His enemies, how much more should we extend grace to our family? You don’t have to force conversations about Jesus, but you can let His light shine through your actions, your patience, and your willingness to listen. When the Holy Spirit opens a door, speak truth gently but firmly.

For your mother, pray that God would reveal Himself to her in ways she can’t ignore. For your brother, pray that the Holy Spirit would convict him of the reality of spiritual warfare and the authority of Christ. And for yourself, pray for wisdom, boldness, and a heart that reflects Christ’s love, even when it’s hard. You’re not alone in this. We join you in praying:

"Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts for ###’s family. Lord, we ask that You would open their eyes to the deception of the enemy and the truth of Your Word. For ###’s mother, we pray that You would break the hold of curiosity over occult practices and draw her to Yourself. For ###’s brother, we ask that You would shatter his spiritual blindness and reveal the power of Jesus’ name. Give ### wisdom, patience, and love as she navigates these relationships. Help her to see her family not as projects, but as souls You love deeply. Guard her heart from discouragement and fill her with Your peace. We rebuke every demonic influence in this family in the mighty name of Jesus. Let Your light shine brightly in their lives, and may they come to know You as their Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Regarding your brother’s hurtful comments, walking away can sometimes be the wisest choice to avoid unnecessary conflict. However, Scripture also tells us, "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone" (Matthew 18:15 WEB). You don’t have to engage in every argument, but if his words are consistently disrespectful or mocking toward your faith, it may be necessary to address it calmly and lovingly. Pray for the right timing and words. Remember, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1 WEB).

Lastly, we want to remind you that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. "There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 WEB). Your family’s unbelief is not a reflection of your failure, but an opportunity for God to work. Keep praying, keep loving, and keep trusting Him. You are not alone in this battle.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear how heavy this feels to be the only believer at home, caring deeply for your mum and brother while also feeling uneasy about what they are engaging with. It makes sense that you would feel torn, especially as an introvert who does not want every interaction to become a debate or to treat people you love like a project.

What you described about the tarot reels and your brother's sleep experience would leave many believers feeling unsettled, and your instinct to pray quietly and stay close to Jesus rather than push harder is a loving one. You cannot control what they choose to watch or believe, but your steady, kind presence and your prayers matter more than having the perfect words every time.

About the jokes and walking away, stepping back to avoid an argument is often wisdom, not weakness. It can also help to have one simple, calm sentence ready for next time so you do not have to decide in the moment, something like, that comment hurt, I care about you and I also care about my faith. It names what happened without inviting a long argument. And if your brother continues to be distressed by sleep paralysis, gently encouraging him to talk with a medical professional is a caring next step alongside prayer.

Father, we lift this family to You. Give our friend rest and wisdom as they love their mum and brother well, guard their home in Your peace, and draw each heart toward Your truth in Your timing. Help them know when to speak and when to be quiet, and keep them steady in Your love. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

Your letter carries a weight which many of the Lord's people have known, to be the lone light in a house that loves darkness, and to feel the daily pressure of souls dear to you who yet are far from Christ.

Concerning your mother and these tarot readings and zodiac notions, you are right to be uneasy. These things are not idle amusements nor harmless curiosities upon a screen. The Word of God calls divination an abomination, and to seek to know the future by such means is to turn from the living God to that which cannot speak and to give place to the adversary. Though she may say she does not believe them, the heart is deceived when it dallies with them, and Satan asks no more than a foothold. Having yourself been entangled in that new age vanity, you know its flattery and its emptiness, and your fear for her is a holy fear. Speak to her plainly yet tenderly, not with harshness, but with the warning of one who has been delivered. Tell her that there is no fate in cards, but there is a providence in Christ, and that to seek guidance elsewhere is to despise the counsel of God.

Your brother's case is more alarming still. To see a dark power and then to invite it to reveal itself, and to refuse the one Name by which we must be saved, is to play upon the brink of a pit. Let him know that the spiritual realm is real, as you have said, that devils are real and angels are real, and that no man can stand against the powers of darkness in his own strength. There is but one Deliverer, and His name is Jesus. To refuse to call upon Him when the enemy presses close is to refuse life itself. Pray for him without ceasing, and set before him, as God gives you utterance, that Christ has conquered hell and death, and that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered.

You ask what you are to do, being an introvert and feeling your own weakness, and fearing lest you make them a project. Remember that the Lord often uses the quietest vessel. He does not ask you to be eloquent, but to be faithful. You need not speak of Jesus with every breath to be a witness for Jesus with your whole life. Oh, had you taken your stand in the family and said, as for me I will serve the Lord, you might honor God far more than by a halting and hesitating course. Let your life preach when your lips are silent. Let them see in you a patience, a purity, a peace in believing which they cannot find in their cards or their reasonings. Love them not as cases to be won, but as souls for whom Christ died, and let that love make you constant in prayer for them. It is God who must give the increase. Yours is to sow with tears and to water with prayer, and to trust Him who is able to do what with man is impossible.

As to the mocking and the jests which now try you, you must not think it strange. Faith's foes live in the same house with her. So it was in Abraham's house, where he that was born after the flesh mocked him that was born after the Spirit. The husband has been known to say to his wife, ridiculous nonsense, your trusting in God. Thus the world scoffs at divine interposition and at the very love of God. You can bear mockery and much more for His sake who bore mockery for you. Whether to walk away or to answer must be left to wisdom in the moment. There is a time to be silent, lest by answering you gender strife, for a soft answer turns away wrath and to contend for mastery often hardens the mocker. Yet there is also a time to speak, with meekness and fear, lest your silence be taken for shame. Ask the Lord for that wisdom which knows the season. Do not return railing for railing, but commit yourself to Him that judges righteously, and let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt.

You confess yourself unbelieving by constitution and often cast down. So have many of the saints been. But I have never been in the depths of despondency without almost immediately coming up from them as soon as my soul has rested upon Him and leaned on Him. Look to Christ for yourself first, that you may have peace by believing. Remember Tabor's mount and Jacob's wrestling, for the Lord will give you seasons of nearness to sustain you in this warfare. And remember what grace can do in a house. We have seen the man whose house was hell, a drunkard and foul in all his ways, yet when he came to believe and trust Christ he was made a new man, and his wife said never was there such a change. What God has done for you He can do for your mother and your brother. In God's family all who are born into it are born heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, and He is able to bring them in.

Therefore continue in prayer, continue in a holy and consistent walk, speak the truth in love as opportunity is given, and leave the result with the Lord. He who has begun a good work in you will keep you, and He is able to save them also to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.