Festus, the new Governor of Syria wanted to make a good impression on the religious leaders (Acts 25:1-5). Although he had Caesar's authority, he needed the support of Israel's leaders if he was to maintain peace in the country. His job and possibly life depended on being able to manipulate the religious leaders to keep their people in order. At the same time, the chief priests wanted to manipulate the Governor into bringing Paul back to Jerusalem, from Caesarea, so that they could ambush and kill him.

Festus spent over a week in Jerusalem, trying to make a good impression. But he refused the clerics' request to try Paul in Jerusalem. Instead he invited the accusers to Caesarea. When he got back, Festus convened the court immediately, Paul's accusers stood around him, but they could produce no evidence to support their charges. Festus was not impressed; it seems as if he had half-promised the leaders that they would get a positive result from him.

Paul's defence was straightforward; he had not violated any law. But Festus tried to manipulate Paul by asking him to agree to stand trial in Jerusalem. It was a moment for godly wisdom, and Paul seized it. He would be murdered if he returned to Jerusalem; the Caeserea court would not proceed with his case and so Paul opted for trial before Caesar. He wanted to take the gospel into the heart of the empire and have the opportunity to explain his faith in Jesus to Caesar himself. There was no manipulation, only wisdom. It was Paul's privilege as a Roman citizen to ask to stand before Caesar, and his responsibility as an apostle to tell him the gospel.

In a shadowy world where half-promises, financial inducements and manipulative relationships govern so much of business, industry and the professions, godly wisdom is both rare and powerful. The man and woman of God, who pray before each encounter, find that the Holy Spirit supplies the words to match the wisdom (Luke 12:11-12). Like Paul, the decisions are not made out of fear but in faith, until the manipulators become peripheral and the will of God is seen to be central. If you do not have that wisdom, ask for it (James 1:5): if believing friends need that wisdom, pray for them (Colossians 1:9). But do not give way to the manipulators. Godly wisdom sees further and acts more boldly.