“It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5)
Saul, a Jewish and well-learned Pharisee, was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven, and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
I’m going to stop here, but I want you to read the rest of the story in Acts 9.
WHAT ARE GOADS?
Goads were tools used by farmers in ancient times. It is a sharp, pointed tool, typically a long stick, used to prod and guide animals, especially oxen, during plowing or other agricultural tasks. The pointed end of the goad would be used to prick the animal, while the other end might have a flat chisel-shaped iron for scraping mud from the plow.
SO WHAT DOES THIS VERSE MEAN?
Kicking against the goads is used here metaphorically to resist God’s will or the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Sometimes God uses difficulties and trials to lead us to Him, but oftentimes, those very difficulties drive us further away from the Lord, which inflicts us more pain in the process.
I don’t know about you, but how many times have you lived in defiance against the Lord? How many times have you heard the Gospel and not respond to it?
Do you want to live life on your own, thinking that you can do better without the Lord?… or is it time for you to stop resisting and have a complete surrender to the Lord who has your best interest at heart?
You think living on your terms is much better, and not even digging enough that you are just making yourself miserable, frustrated, and empty as time goes on. Just like the oxen, when the farmer strikes the goad on the oxen, and he kicks it because he doesn’t like it, he just ends up hurting himself all the more.
SO WHAT ARE YOU TO DO?
If you are not yet saved, God wants you to stop running and accept God’s gift of salvation by accepting his son, Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for your sins.
And if you are already a Christian, but are still living like the world, and not operating on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power, then you are living a life of empty. It is time to STOP.
Stop and go back to your first love, which is Jesus Christ. Surrender completely, get rid of all the stuff that you hold so dearly, but are the very reasons that are hindering you in your walk with the Lord.
Get rid of all encumbrances, lay things on the side, apply the biblical principles in every area of your being, and pursue your God-given talents so you can live a fruitful and blessed life.
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