“You cannot seek help from both Jesus and the spirits. You must choose,” I implored.

The branch Sabbath school in Tiger Cave village was well attended. Seven women came each time we visited. As it is located halfway between us and Ban Kien church in Phuket, we rotate our visits. Initially, the goal was that they would receive two visits a month. On one visit, one of the women came with her young son. Strangely, I felt spiritually oppressed and had difficulty sharing the Bible that day.

During our next visit, the boy’s mother confided that spirits were harassing her son. He suffered from night terrors and other manifestations yet displayed an intelligence far beyond his years, as though he carried an unnatural awareness.

Duang and I shared how the power of Jesus could bring complete freedom from such oppression. We explained, “Jesus can deliver your son completely, but He does not share ownership. If you acknowledge Him as Lord over the boy’s life, He will drive the spirits away. But you cannot seek help from both Jesus and the spirits. You must choose. If you choose to seek help from Jesus, we will come with other Christians and pray until the spirits leave.” She listened quietly and left after the Sabbath school meeting ended.

When we returned to Tiger Cave village, we were met with disappointment. A massive spirit shrine now stood in front of her house. Their decision was clear—they had chosen to place their trust in the spirits, rejecting the freedom offered by Christ.

This experience is not unique. Several times, we have seen people choosing to double down on their reliance on spirits rather than accepting the liberating power of Jesus. It reminds us that we “wrestle not against flesh and blood” and deepens our dependence on the prayers of God’s people as we seek breakthroughs here in southern Thailand.

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