Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

This is the second in our series on the Holy Spirit this section entitled The Roles or Work Of.  As I noted I found this list, there are many others, called 70 Functions of the Holy Spirit and while I have some reservations that some of the items on the list (could easily be taken out of proper biblical context) it can be a helpful tool. We however will only look at a few of the many roles the Holy has concentrating on those in a believers life including those as;

He ministers truth. (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13)

He teaches. (Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 2:27)

He restrains. (Acts 16:6)

The Holy Spirit brings direction and guidance. (Mark 13:36; 13:11; Acts 10:19; 11:12; 21:11; 1 Timothy 4:1

The Holy Spirit invites us to walk with Him. (Romans 8:4-5)

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9)

He washes, sanctifies, purifies and justifies. (Romans 15;16, 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:2,22)

The Holy Spirit builds us together for a house for God. (Ephesians 2:22)

The Holy Spirit gives comfort, health, and strength. (John 15:26; Acts 9:31)

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In Part II yesterday, of this section on The Roles or Work Of the Holy Spirit; we discussed how the Holy Spirit was the primary teacher of all things Spiritual. Today we will look at how he restrains us so let’s break it down: 

He Restrains

Acts 16:6 (NKJV) 

Acts 16:6 (RVR 1960)

CONTEXT: This is the time of Paul’s second Mission trip through Asia Minor.

Paul and Silas initially visited Tarsus (Paul’s birthplace), Derbe and Lystra. In Lystra, they met a disciple named Timothy, who was well-spoken of by the Christians who were at Lystra and Iconium, and decided to take him with them. Meanwhile, the number of believers kept growing daily (Acts 16:5).  As we can see on the map (note double click on it to get to larger one) the “Seven Churches of Asia” called out in the Book of Revelation are noted. This is likely the place Paul was planned to go on this trip, but was Restrained by the Holy Spirit, let’s break it down: 

v.6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in ^[a]Asia. 

Luke carefully records many places that the Apostle Paul and those with him have traveled and preached the Gospel message of Christ, in this case Phrygia and the region of Galatia. This is an important area one Paul passed through on his first trip and will return again too (Acts 18:23-28) on his third trip. 

As we noted above Paul appeared to have plans to visit what was know as Asia at the time and likely the Seven Churches there. Paul’s mission is clear 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine he is on a mission for God to glorify God yet his plans are thwarted, forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in ^[a]Asia, by God, why? 

First if could truthfully answer that I would be God, second one can only speculate based upon scripture:

Isaiah 55:8-9; “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. ⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Why not preach to those churches, maybe they were not ready for the Good News, maybe they would be hostile to Paul and company and God was protecting them, maybe they were not prepared for the task they wanted to do, maybe I have no clue. I do know, and it should be noted, that Luke does not say anything like ‘The word of the Lord came to them, or God spoke to them,’ this is not an overt or articulated restraint from the Holy Spirit. It is the indwelling Spirit making a righteous impression upon their Moral Compass. 

In conclusion the Holy Spirit not only teaches us but keeps us from making mistakes. He restrains us from errors, from getting in over our heads, from taking on tasks we are not ready for all we need to do is prepare our hearts to hear His call.