Test sanctimonious man God spared (5)
I believe the answer is:
pilot
'test' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'sanctimonious man god spared' is the wordplay.
'sanctimonious' becomes 'pi' (old-fashioned term for pious).
'man god spared' becomes 'Lot' (Lot was spared by God in the Bible).
'pi'+'lot'='PILOT'
(Other definitions for pilot that I've seen before include "experimental programme" , "Guide (e.g. of ship through harbour)" , "Trial broadcast" , "This person can be found in a plane or a boat" , "air traffic controller?" .)