Discerning God’s Voice ~ Don’t Kick Against the Goads
As we start up each day, it’s important to spend enough quality time with the Lord.
We should prioritize learning about discerning God’s voice and how He speaks to the heart.
Many times, it’ll be God’s spiritual peace that leads you down His path (Colossians 3:15). Know that your flesh – your will – is going to likely fight with the will of God!
Learn to detect His peace, as the peace of God is uniquely different from “peace” found in the world.
Here’s what Jesus said in John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
But sometimes the leading of the Lord can seem like a prodding to the heart.
Some call this a “goading.” Think of the farmer poking the ox with a goad. (see the picture above)
Saul of Tarsus needed to learn this, but wasn’t able to in the early stages of his life.
Good thing that God wants us to learn from Saul’s example!
1Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
(Acts 9:1-5)
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
See Acts 9:1-5 on Blue Letter Bible.
A peek into Saul’s heart as he learns to discern the Lord
Unfortunately, Saul wasn’t discerning God’s voice just yet.
Later on, we know that Saul became Paul the Apostle. And as Paul greatly teaches the church, he of course was able to wonderfully illustrate how God speaks to our hearts.
But at this stage of Saul’s life, notice that he had to first go through incredible heartbreaks. Just like many of us seem to go through as well!
Saul misinterpreted the Spirit’s conviction upon his heart. As a result, he found himself fighting against God.
Even killing Christians! And guess what? Verse 1 teaches us that he liked it. It fueled Saul’s rage.
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble
Just as Saul needed to humble his own heart, we need to humble ourselves before God as well.
Praise the Lord that He gives us a wonderful peek into the inner workings of the human heart here in Acts 9:5.
He tells Saul, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
I’ve been there! How about you?
In discerning God’s voice – Don’t kick against the goads!
So as you go about your day, don’t kick against the goads!
Allow God to not only speak to you, but to lead you.
Obey the goading of God upon your heart! Don’t kick against the work of God and the will of God!
The harder you kick, the more your pride destroys your walk with God, your life and your relationships.
As we learn what further happened with Saul, his life was a wreck! Jesus blinded him, and instead of Saul humbling his heart before a holy God, now he was humiliated.
But Jesus was able to rescue him and to restore him. Yet, Saul had to crash and burn and he crashed hard.
Humble your heart before the Lord
Do you find that the Lord is goading your heart to stop sinning against Him, or to stop doing things your way?
Then simply stop and confess your sins to Him.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Then turn from your sins to following and obeying what your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says to do!
Let’s remember, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
As you turn from sin and embrace His steps for your life, you heart will be pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6).
Remember that God loves you!
Share this with someone who needs this.
Listen to the full message here.
~ Pastor Drew