*UPDATE* I experienced spiritual battle

[Diamond]

Some of you know about the debate I had with my sister in law and niece
concerning Eckhart Tolle and New Age...and how you cannot believe that stuff because it does not coincide with christianity, etc. Well, I had e-mailed her husband (my brother) and gave him my reasons for why I believe what I
believe...and then copied/mailed a four-part series on it that explained to the tee why this stuff didn't jive with scripture. And how dangerous it is. My mother read it and she said she'd pass it on to my SIL on father's day. When
she tried, SIL responded that she didn't need to read that. And my mom told her she would like her to read it but to pray first and ask the holy spirit to show her the truth. I cannot say whether it was read or not but the comment was made to my Mom earlier that SIL said she went to her priest and asked her priest if what she was reading was okay and the priest told her it was. My Mom is now going to ask my brother if he happened to read that four part series. I feel that I have done all I can do now. Plus I have still been upset about this and told my Mom I feel very uncomfortable about the situation...yesterday my daughter (college age) and I drove over to see my parent's (about an hour drive) and after a couple of hours, in walked my
SIL and her two daughters. Just before they walked in my Mom told me they were coming over and I told her in so many words I didn't appreciate that because I had expressed how uncomfortable I am now and I felt my Mom did
this on purpose. I really just sat there in uncomfortabel silence and did not
say anything....and the topic was not brought up. So I felt it did not accomplish anything. Of course, when they left (they stayed about 45 minutes) we all gave hugs...but I feel the way I do because I was trying to present them with the truth, and somehow I feel the influence of the holy spirit is not there for them if they threw those documents away. If they continue on in this exploration of New Age/buddism/hinduism thing with Eckhart Tolle, I truly believe they will continue to find more things...search for more things related to this and delve deeper and deeper into something that is not of God. And so with this knowledge I am uncomfortable around them and cannot speak. This SIL had also e-mailed me an e-mail a few days
ago with pictures, showing how plastic bags find themselves in the environment and wildlife and how bad this is (of course I agree) and how we
need to start using cloth bags of our own at the grocery store and elimanate use of plastic bags altogether. I didn't respond to this e-mail because I have these cloth bags and use them already. It's like she is always trying to enlighten me with the latest fad or thing....first the Eckhart Tolle book and then the environment thing. So that is where I am at now. I admit that I am frustrated, mad, bitter....I don't like trying to show someone God's truth and having them reject it, like I am foolish. That's how it seems to me.

[His Bride]

I'm sorry for your experience, but this is not uncommon. It is hard to evangelize your own family. They are worldly and have chosen to believe in the New Age. The fact that their priest approved it says much as well. I think you need to accept this and commit it to prayer. They are not rejecting you as much as the Lord and truth. I think that you frustration is understandable but make sure that it isn't your own pride that is getting the best of you. You need to let it go and not allow yourself to be pulled into disagreements. The enemy would just love that! Your last sentence makes me want to say to you that every day people are rejecting God's truth. Even proclaimed christians are becoming involved in the lies of the world. They don't want the truth pointed out to them. I have felt this in my life also. The secret is not to take it personally. Jesus told us to expect it for He went through it first.

[Diamond]

What actually upsets me the most is the blatent rejection of what God's word says. By a christian who runs around like a chicken with their head cut off--my SIL who goes to bible studies and tech weekends (she's a leader)
but yet the holy spirit is not there to help her see what this New Age stuff is.
The Holy Spirit is not there. My Mother asked her to read my four-part series but before she did, to pray about it and ask the Holy Spirit to help her see the truth. My gut tells me this did not happen. That she did not let the Holy Spirit in or it was not allowed in....you see where I'm going with this? I am
wondering if my family is lost forever to their salvation. I see the road she is
choosing go down and I can literally feel my spirit turning away...like I just can't bear it. It is my feeling that as of now I have done all I can do. I can continue to pray, and that is all. Nothing I can say will make a difference--even though they are not my words but the Holy Spirit speaking through me...those words supernaturally are not being allowed in. My Mother's are not either. She told me she is going to ask my brother if his wife (SIL) read
that four-part series. Then I will know for sure.

[His Bride]

If the Holy Spirit wasn't there do you think she truly is saved? Remember, the battle is not yours. It is the Lord's.

[Diamond]

I know that she believes that Jesus died for her sins, etc. I do remember her reading a book years ago that made a case against the rapture...but just because a person doesn't believe in the rapture doesn't mean their salvation is in question. I have no idea (she is catholic) if she believes in purgatory.
As a former catholic, I did not because that belief was/is not back up by scripture. I just think that when you start to interject eastern religion/beliefs into your faith, it can have an influence on you to the point where it starts watering it down. It seems like people nowadays are always looking for a "new way"....an "updated/current" way to believe; like believing in what scripture (the word of God) says is outdated and not relevant anymore...like time should matter. In order to keep people interested in going to church they have resorted to gimicks. Everytime I hear about the newest or latest gimick, I think of the sermon on the mount....I think of Jesus....standing there and speaking....and all the people captivated...letting God's word wash over them....and that was sufficient. People are building their faith on sinking sand. I don't know. I think any book that is so blatently New Age
that is being read by a christian just doesn't make sense to me. I told her the book was New Age and she said it wasn't. But when my Mom was talking to her daughter and discussing the book, the niece said that it was New Age.

[His Bride]

It would appear that her "faith" may not be real. I cannot see her heart, however, the fact that she is dabbling in other philosophies seems to say that Jesus isn't enough for her. I have a background like yourself and I know that witnessing to RCC family members is difficult because they truly believe that they are saved. I have also experienced the impossiblility of getting the point across to them. So I had to stop. It only became argumentative. I pray and leave them to the Lord. It may not be your place to bring them to salvation. You may be the one to plant seeds. I do agree with you wholeheartedly about the way people are searching for more, contending that the bible is out of date, etc. It makes me sad. People are searching because they need Him and yet they don't think they will find Him in His Word. Sad sad sad.

[Diamond]

Thanks HisBride...it's good to know another christian understands.

[Sing4Him]

:hug And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Mat. 10:14

Pray for them.:pray

[Diamond]

Yes Sing...that verse comes to mind. And they do need prayer. There is
still a part of me that is frustrated and angry though for her refusing to listen
to God's word and be loyal/exclusive to Jesus.

[His Bride]

Yes Sing...that verse comes to mind. And they do need prayer. There is
still a part of me that is frustrated and angry though for her refusing to listen
to God's word and be loyal/exclusive to Jesus.

Diamond, give it some time. Let God put it into the right place in your heart. He knows that you are loyal to Him and will bless you for it.