Q:I write this letter with sadness, anger and despair. I have being living a scum life for 25 years. Most of my life has been spent in regrets and reproach to God. I need help. I practise voodoo, black and white magic. But, I am tired of working for the devil. I am dying to be on God's side because Satan is a deceiver.

Since I was 12, my grandmother was my teacher. I would love to be forgiven of my sins and set free. Please help me to put my life in order before it is too late.

A: It is distressing that more than half your life has been spent with forces of darkness and iniquity. You have hurt many people. And, worse, your grandmother was your tutor. Where were your mother and father? Family life ought to be a place where wholesome values are passed on, but not in your experience. The family ought to lead to the nurture and development of children but from a tender and vulnerable age you were exposed to the world of evil forces as a means of employment and enjoyment.

Godly sorrow

Fortunately, you now desire to end this. Once you repent of your sins with genuine godly sorrow, God will forgive you. Please confess your sins, failures and mistakes to God and pledge to start a new life with God's help. Many persons have testified to a change in personality and outlook after confessing sins to God. The guilt you feel and the low self-esteem can be alleviated by expressing sorrow for your misdeeds.

You can become a new creature because of a new and different perspective on what is your purpose in life. It might also be necessary to make restitution to persons you have hurt and defrauded.

If your grandmother is alive, you should tell her that you are walking away from that lifestyle and encourage her to repent, especially for getting you involved in such practices.

You should also make your parents aware of the torment caused by the tutelage of your grandmother. They failed you as parents and robbed you of a normal and healthy childhood.

You need to seek the help and advice of a mature pastor and go to a Bible-centred church that can assure you of forgiveness and help you walk on the narrow and straight pathway.

Honest employment

You also need help to acquire other skills and knowledge in order to find honest employment or to create your own job. This means that the road ahead might be long and difficult. But do not give up on the noble path you are considering and desiring. This new direction to your life is a viable option and will eventually prove to be more fulfilling.

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