Episode 114: Why We Kick Against God’s Will
There are times we come to a phrase in scripture that leaves us scratching our heads. This is true of a phrase found in the book of Acts 26:9-18.
Many of us are familiar with the Apostle Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus. He was blinded and without sight for three days after encountering Jesus. But what’s not as well-known is a line that Jesus speaks to Paul as he’s fallen to the ground, blind. Jesus says, “Why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
What does it mean to “kick against the goads”? This was a common expression that came from farmers “goading” their oxen. A goad was a long wooden pole that was blunt on one end and pointed on the other. They used the pointed end to lead the ox in a certain direction. But sometimes an ox would kick against the goad, making its legs bleed. Jesus is telling Paul he is kicking against the goad.
Goad Guide #1: God will eventually STOP us if we continue down a path that resists His TRUE guidance.
Though Paul kicked against God’s will by attacking believers and pursuing their harm, Jesus kept trying to pursue him, finally having to stop him in his tracks so he would truly listen.
Goad Guide #2: Jesus speaks to us in ways we understand or relate to.
When Jesus spoke to Paul it was in the Hebrew dialect, which was the most meaningful to Paul. Jesus speaks to us in the same ways. It may be through something we love, or a circumstance we’ve been directly praying about. It can even be something we’re in need of. When Paul was on the ground blind, he couldn’t rely on his own strength, wisdom or understanding. His main objective was religiously prosecuting those he thought were offensive to his Jewish faith. Jesus took his wrongly directed desires and turned them right.
Goad Guide #3: When we hate followers of Jesus, we hate Jesus Himself.
It may feel easier to love Jesus than to love the people that follow Him. But loving people is the trademark of loving Christ. Paul truly believed he was helping a religious cause, when in reality, he was hurting Jesus Himself.
Goad Guide #4: Kicking against the way God prods or directs will result in a harder, more painful path towards understanding.
God may use these “Spiritual Goads” to lead us towards His will:
1. The goad of silence, stillness, and withdrawal
2. The goad of trials, persecution, affliction, and misunderstanding
3. The goad of disappointment (christianity.com)
Paul surrendered his entire life to the will of Christ and never turned back. He quit kicking against the things Jesus was using to bring him closer. . .and so can we.
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