Held Back by the Holy Spirit
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- Sep 6
- 3 min read
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 6 2025 | Acts 16:6-10
KEY VERSE:
“⁶Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Acts 16:6-7 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Sometimes in life and ministry, doors we desire to enter remain closed. This can be unclear, especially when our intentions are good and godly. Yet, Acts 16 reminds us that even in ministry, God leads by both opening and shutting doors. Paul and his team were held back by the Holy Spirit - not because their mission was wrong, but because God had a greater plan for them. Today’s passage reveals three important truths: 1. God’s Sovereignty in Mission (v. 6), 2—sensitivity to the Spirit’s Guidance (v. 7), and 3. Closed doors lead to greater openings.
1. We immediately realised God’s sovereignty in the missionary journey of Paul and his team (v. 6). Paul and his companions were committed to spreading the gospel. Still, their plans were not ultimate - God’s will was. The Spirit’s prevention was not rejection but redirection. The closed door to Asia was God’s way of guiding them toward Europe (vv. 9 - 10). This reminds us that ministry fruitfulness comes from walking in alignment with God’s agenda, not merely our strategies. 2. Paul and his team were sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance (v.7). The Holy Spirit actively guided the apostles, even limiting where they could minister. Effective ministry requires listening hearts—leaders and disciples who discern when the Holy Spirit says “yes” and when He says “no.” True obedience includes submitting to the Spirit even when His direction confuses us.
3. God can turn closed doors to greater openings. What seemed like a hindrance was preparation for a greater harvest in Macedonia (vv. 9–10). Closed doors today may be the Spirit’s way of leading us to unexpected opportunities tomorrow. Believers must learn to trust God’s timing and purposes in every delay, denial, or redirection.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
How do you usually respond when God closes a door you wanted to walk through? Are you willing to trust God’s guidance even when you don’t fully understand His reasons? Being prevented by the Spirit is not failure - it is divine redirection. Every closed door is God’s way of guiding us to His greater purpose.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding me that even when doors close, You are guiding me toward Your perfect plan. Help me not to be discouraged by delays or denials but to trust that You are working for a greater purpose. Teach me to hear Your Spirit’s voice clearly, and grant me the humility to follow Your lead, even when it means surrendering my own plans. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 249: Job 8–11 — Bildad and Zophar Speak; Job Answers
DAILY word study: KEPT BY The phrase “kept by the Holy Spirit” in Acts 16:6 comes from the Greek word kōlyō, which means “to hinder, restrain, or hold back.” It describes the Spirit’s deliberate act of stopping Paul and his companions from entering Asia—not as rejection but as redirection. They were “kept by” the Spirit because God had a greater plan awaiting them in Macedonia.
Reflect on this:
Being kept by the Spirit reminds us that closed doors are not failures. They are God’s way of protecting us and guiding us toward His greater purpose.
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