Acts 16:1-10

"Paul wanted to take [Timothy] along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek." (Acts 16:3)

"When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to." (Acts 16:7)

Have you ever found yourself asking: “What does God want me to do in this situation?”

Whether it's a decision at work, in ministry, with family, or within the church, discerning God's will can feel both urgent and uncertain. Acts 16 gives us a compelling window into how early believers navigated this tension—using both sanctified wisdom and supernatural guidance.

In the opening verses of Acts 16, Paul makes what seem to be strategic decisions. He chooses Timothy as a ministry partner and even has him circumcised—not because it was required by the gospel, but because it would avoid unnecessary offense among the Jews they were trying to reach.

Paul wasn’t acting on a vision here. He was using godly judgment—sanctified wisdom—to remove potential barriers to the gospel. He likely prayed, considered the context, and acted thoughtfully.

Not every decision requires a sign or a voice from heaven. Often, God works through prayerful, scripture-saturated reasoning.

Then in Acts 16:6-10, Paul's plans are disrupted. He’s kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching in certain regions. It’s not clear how—only that God closed the door. Eventually, Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help. And so, Paul goes.

Here we see supernatural wisdom—God intervening directly to lead in a different direction.

God is not limited to our planning. He reserves the right to override, redirect, and reshape our paths—even when we’re trying to serve Him.

So which is it when it comes to us making decisions? Do we use sanctified wisdom, or do we rely on supernatural wisdom?

The answer is: both.
God invites us to use sanctified, Spirit-led minds to make decisions. But we must remain open to His supernatural leading—through closed doors, new opportunities, or unexpected interruptions.

Don’t despise either. In some seasons, wisdom looks like sending the CV. In others, it looks like waiting for clarity. Sometimes God works through planning. Other times through detours.

Neither sanctified nor supernatural wisdom guarantees smooth sailing. After Paul followed God’s leading to Macedonia, he was beaten and imprisoned. Yet, through it all, the gospel advanced.

Trust God's guidance—not because it makes life easier, but because it leads to His purposes.

How might you respond this week?

• In what area of life are you seeking God’s guidance right now?
  
• Are you leaning too heavily on planning without prayer—or on waiting without action?
• How might God be inviting you to use both sanctified and supernatural wisdom in this season?