As we travel in Thailand, we're constantly seeing reminders of the idolatry and demon worship that dominate the thought and practice of the whole region. We in the west tend to dismiss idolatry as ignorant tradition and we don't understand the reality of the spiritual oppression here.
This particular city is very dark and a Christian missionary eventually had to move her Children's Home to another town because the spiritual opposition and oppression was so intense. However, even as the darkness is so real here, so also is the reality of the Gospel. People who have experienced the bondage of Satan are very aware of the power of the new life in Christ when God saves them.
Shaking the gates of hell is not the ministry of the weak in Christ. Even the strong in Christ must sometimes acknowledge that opposition and its inherent battles are not with other people, but, "against [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. (Eph 6 Eph 6:12) In the west we just never see this example on the streets, just in the media so we think we’re safe; yeah right, safe! Miss you guys but still praying. Wish I was there with you.
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