Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Theology) A special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings: The concept that a god or supreme being directly inspires, directs, or enlightens a person's thoughts, decisions, or actions.
   • The state or process of being divinely guided: The experience or result of receiving such spiritual direction.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Many believers seek divine guidance through prayer when making important life decisions.
  • The prophet claimed his teachings were received through divine guidance.
  • They attribute their community's survival to divine guidance during the crisis.

Advanced Usage

• "under divine guidance": Describes an action performed or a state achieved as a direct result of this influence.
  • The ancient text is said to have been composed under divine guidance.
• "a source of divine guidance": Refers to a person, text, or practice believed to channel this influence.
  • For the followers, the high priest was a source of divine guidance.

Variants and Related Words

• Guidance (n): The act of guiding or directing. (Note: This is the core word without the theological modifier).
• Divine (adj): Of, from, or like God or a god.
• Divine inspiration (n): A closely related theological concept, often used interchangeably, though sometimes distinguished as a sudden, specific insight versus ongoing direction.

Synonyms

• Divine inspiration: A sudden creative or sacred idea attributed to a deity.
• Revelation: The divine or supernatural disclosure of knowledge.
• Theophany: A visible manifestation of a deity.

Related Phrases

• To seek divine guidance: To actively pray or meditate in an attempt to receive direction from a divinity.
  • Before the battle, the general went to the temple to seek divine guidance.
• To act on divine guidance: To base one's actions on the belief that they are divinely inspired.
  • She left her job to act on what she felt was divine guidance.

Related Idioms

• A higher calling: An invitation or command believed to come from a divine source, often leading one to a specific purpose or vocation. (This idiom implies divine guidance).
  • He felt a higher calling to become a missionary.

Noun

1. (theology) a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings
   • they believe that the books of Scripture were written under divine guidance