Spiritual Traffic Lights

Scripture Reference: Acts 16:6-10

Engage: Story of a Traffic Light Outage (3-5 min)

Imagine driving through a busy intersection where the traffic lights have suddenly gone out. There’s no clear direction, no sense of order—just chaos.

Cars are honking, people are shouting, and nobody seems to know when to go or stop. You’re left trying to navigate this confusion, hoping no one gets hurt.

Now, think about how life often feels the same way when we miss God's signals—like driving through a spiritual intersection without knowing when to move, pause, or stop.

When we're not in tune with His guidance, the result can be chaos and confusion.

Today, we’re going to talk about how to avoid spiritual "accidents" by recognizing and obeying God’s "traffic lights."

Tension: The Struggle of Discerning God's Will (3-4 min)

One of the most common questions we face in our Christian walk is: How do I know God's will for my life?

Whether it’s making a big life decision or simply determining the next step, we want to do the right thing, but it’s not always clear.

Have you ever been stuck at a spiritual "traffic light outage" unsure if you should wait or move forward?

Have you felt like you're missing God's signals, unsure whether you're going in the right direction?

We all face these moments of uncertainty, and it can be frustrating when we feel like we’re navigating life without a map.

So, how do we know when God is saying "go," "wait," or "stop"?

Let’s turn to Scripture for some guidance.

Truth: Acts 16:6-10 – Paul and the Holy Spirit’s Guidance (12-15 min)

In Acts 16:6-10, we see how Paul faced similar challenges in discerning God's will.

We see Paul navigating a series of unexpected red and green lights from the Holy Spirit.

These verses illustrate how God’s guidance can be specific and sometimes surprising, leading Paul away from his original plans to the right mission field.

Acts 16:6 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Paul was driven by a deep conviction to spread the gospel to all regions, especially major cities where the message could have a broader impact.

Paul had experienced both significant victories and hardships in his travels, including opposition, persecution, and sometimes being forced out of cities.

Up to this point, Paul strategically targeted large, influential areas to reach as many people as possible, seeing his ministry as a way to reach both Jews and Gentiles.

What Paul called Asia, modern-day western Turkey- was seen as fertile ground for the gospel, particularly in major cities like Ephesus, where a foothold could mean a wider spread.

Paul’s Plans Blocked Paul’s original plan was to preach in the Roman province of Asia an area with large, influential cities that could seem ideal for the gospel.

However, the Holy Spirit clearly stops him.

This “no” wasn’t because Asia was unimportant, as later, Ephesus (the capital of Asia at the time) would become a significant center for Paul’s ministry.

But here, God has other plans. his plans for Paul were in Europe at that time

Sometimes God’s “no” isn’t about the value of the opportunity but about His timing or purpose.

Have you ever felt blocked from something good, only to realize later that God had a specific reason?

Acts 16:7 ESV

7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

After being blocked from Asia, Paul and his companions tried to head north into Bithynia.

Again, the Spirit stops them.

It must have been puzzling for Paul to feel constrained in two directions, especially with his burning desire to preach.

Paul likely felt frustration at being repeatedly told “no,” especially when his plans seemed logical and aligned with spreading the gospel.

The repeated stops may have brought confusion or doubt, raising questions like, “Why would God close doors on sharing His message?”

Closed doors forced Paul to remember that his plans were secondary to God’s purpose, inviting him to trust in God’s bigger picture.

These blocks weren’t simple “detours” but redirections meant to shape Paul’s reliance on the Holy Spirit over his own plans and strategies.

We may have moments where it feels like door after door closes, and God’s guidance seems unclear.

In these times, faith means trusting that God has a purpose beyond our understanding.

Even in times of confusion, God’s ultimate plan becomes clearer with time, highlighting that closed doors aren’t dead ends but are often just redirections.

Acts 16:9–10 ESV

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Paul’s "Green Light" Finally, Paul receives a vision directing him to Macedonia, a call to take the gospel to Europe.

This vision is his clear “green light,” marking a shift in the direction of his ministry.

God’s “yes” often comes in ways that are unmistakably clear.

Paul’s response to the vision is immediate, showing his trust in God’s timing.

We, too, need to wait for clarity and be ready to act when it comes.

So, how do we discern God's will today?

Let’s talk about the 3 "W’s"—God’s Word, God’s Will, and God’s Way.

1. God’s Word

The first question we should always ask is: Does this align with Scripture?

Every decision should align with Scripture.

Even as Paul was called to share the gospel, the Holy Spirit gave him specific direction within that calling.

Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet.”

God’s Word provides steady guidance in our lives, lighting our path even when the next steps seem unclear.

When making decisions, ask, “Does this reflect God’s character and align with His commands?”

If a decision contradicts Scripture, that’s a clear red light.

If you're unsure about a decision, check whether it aligns with Scripture.

Does it reflect God’s character and commands?

God’s word should be the foundation of every decision we make.

2. God’s Will

In verse 10, we see that Paul didn’t make decisions in isolation.

He consulted with his team, showing the importance of community discernment.

Proverbs 11:14: “In an abundance of counselors, there is safety.”

Scripture emphasizes the wisdom in seeking godly counsel to confirm God’s leading.

When you’re uncertain, turn to trusted spiritual mentors or friends who can help you discern.

Together, you can pray and seek God’s guidance.

God’s will can receive confirmation in the advice of a trusted friend.

3. God’s Way

God’s direction may come with a “wait” or “not yet,” as we see with Paul’s delayed journey to Asia.

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s ways are higher than ours; we can trust His timing.

1 Corinthians 14:33: “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”

God’s guidance often brings peace, even if the path forward isn’t entirely clear.

If God’s timing isn’t lining up with yours, don’t rush.

Wait for His “green light,” knowing that He leads us in peace, not confusion.

God’s way is the best way, and its the only way to follow as a Disciple of Jesus.

His way, including his timing is the best timing.

Paul was a positive example of someone seeing the traffic signs and obeying them, but the Bible has negative examples a well.

Example: Jonah’s Detour (Contrast to Paul)

To illustrate the consequences of ignoring God’s guidance, consider Jonah.

Jonah’s Response to God’s Call:

Unlike Paul, who actively sought God’s direction, Jonah resisted and went in the opposite direction when called to go to Nineveh. (Jonah 1:17)

His refusal stemmed from personal bias, prioritizing his own feelings over God’s command.

Consequences of Disobedience:

Jonah’s choice led him directly into chaos—first into a raging storm, then into the belly of a fish (Jonah 1:4-5, 1:17).

His defiance not only caused him hardship but also endangered the lives of those around him on the ship, underscoring how ignoring God’s “red lights” can impact others.

A Costly Detour:

Jonah’s spiritual “detour” delayed his mission and took an immense toll on his energy and time, showing that resistance to God’s will can lead to unnecessary trials.

Instead of a direct route to Nineveh, he faced a painful and humbling experience—being swallowed by a huge fish and being stuck it its belly for three days - an experience that could have been avoided through obedience.

The Contrast with Paul’s Obedience:

While Jonah’s story illustrates disobedience and its repercussions, Paul’s journey exemplifies patience and attentiveness to God’s guidance.

By waiting for God’s direction, Paul avoided chaos and found peace in following the Spirit’s lead, resulting in effective ministry in Macedonia.

God’s Persistent Grace:

Even in Jonah’s rebellion, God pursued him, providing a second chance to fulfill His purpose, showing that God’s guidance is constant and grace-filled.

When Jonah finally obeyed, he experienced the blessing of God’s mercy on Nineveh, while Paul’s obedience brought fruitful ministry in Macedonia with out the delay and hardships.

Lessons Learned:

Jonah’s reluctance and Paul’s willingness to wait demonstrate the importance of aligning our desires with God’s wisdom rather than letting emotions drive our path.

Following God’s way, as seen with Paul, brings peace and purpose—even when the journey differs from our own plans.

-----------------------------------------------------

Acts 16:6-10 teaches us that God's guidance often involves both “stops”, “starts,” and “waiting”.

Discerning His will involves God’s Word, Will, and Way.

Trusting God’s “traffic lights” brings us closer to His purpose and fills us with peace, even in the waiting.

Application: Filtering Decisions through the 3 "W’s" (6-8 min)

How do we put this into practice?

Next time you're faced with a decision, run it through these filters:

Check God’s Word: Is this decision consistent with Scripture?

Seek Wise Counsel: Ask trusted spiritual leaders for advice and confirmation.

Wait for God’s Way: Be patient for God’s timing and method.

Inspiration/Reflection: (4-5 min)

Remember when you were a kid, playing the game RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT?

I loved and hated that game.

I loved to win but couldn't stand losing.

Sometimes I found myself hearing “red light” but my body and mind had already decided I was so close to the goal that what I was hearing sounded close enough to “green light”.

Do you feel that way with God sometimes?

What about your own life and decisions that you must make.

Where are you in your decision-making process?

Red Light: Are you stuck, unsure of what to do next? Maybe God is asking you to pause.

Yellow Light: Are you in a season of waiting, where you need to be cautious and patient?

Green Light: Are you ready to move forward, confident in God’s guidance?

Think about a time when you followed God’s will and felt peace, and compare that to a time when you didn’t—and the chaos that followed.

This week, take a decision you’re facing and run it through the 3 "W’s"—God’s Word, God’s Will, and God’s Way.

Take some time and write down your findings, and pray for clarity and peace as you move forward.

Action: (2-3 min)

As you go forward, commit to filtering every major decision through these 3 "W’s."

Write down a decision you're facing this week, and pray through it, asking for God’s guidance, that he would close or open doors to help lead you.

Share your process with a trusted friend or mentor for accountability.

Closing Prayer: (1-2 min)

Lets close in prayer.

Father, we thank You for Your Word, which lights our path.

We confess that, at times, we struggle to discern Your will and rush ahead of Your plan.

Today, we ask for Your guidance in our lives.

Teach us to wait on You, to seek wise counsel, and to move forward only when You give us the green light.

Lead us by Your Spirit in all that we do.

May we trust Your timing, Your ways, and Your wisdom.

Guide us in every decision, great or small, and help us walk in peace and confidence, knowing You are directing our steps.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.