Acts 16:6-10

Some Christians have never experienced the leading of the Holy Spirit. He has never told them where to go; He has never closed a door before them, and they wonder why. We can find some clues as to what is happening in their lives by looking at the life of Paul.

From reading Acts 15:36 we learn that Paul decided to return to the towns where they had preached the word of God and see how the churches were doing. Luke does not tell us that the Holy Spirit told Paul to do this. Paul wanted to spread the gospel and he wanted the congregations he started to mature and be healthy. He did not wait for God to tell him what to do, but rather he began doing what he already knew he could be doing.

It was only when Paul attempted to enter Bithynia, that the spirit of Jesus stopped him. God shut that door. God would not allow Paul and his companions to preach the word in the province of Asia. God does not need to close doors that we are not attempting to enter. If we want God to open and close doors for us, then we must be attempting to pass through them.

When God stopped Paul from entering Asia, Paul continued moving forward. It was only then that God gave him directions to go to Macedonia. When Christians do not know what God wants them to do, they do not sit down and do nothing. They continue to do the things they know need doing and they trust that God will stop them if they go in the wrong direction.

A car that never moves does not need a steering wheel. An unfired missile does not need a guidance system and a Christian that will not attempt to minister does not need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we must make the first move. When we begin working, the Holy Spirit will begin leading.