Are You Being Goaded?

People come to God in different ways. I had a coworker who was seeking God. He traveled to the Grand Canyon and declared, “There must be a God!” Sitting on the rim, he accepted God’s gift of salvation, had his sins forgiven, and began his walk with God. Others may be moved by a situation or circumstance that takes place in life.

Saul, from the Bible, was highly educated. He had heard Jesus’ claims and teachings, as it was always a popular topic of discussion. Why? Because Jesus promoted living a life of love. This went against the culture of the day, and to this day! Saul was there when Stephen was martyred. He heard Stephen’s speech and saw his face as it glowed there at the end of his life, and it messed with him severely! Saul was goaded. (Acts 6:8 – 7:60)

Saul eventually accepted Jesus Christ. During his conversion:

And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]. Acts 9:5 (AMPC)

Goad means – provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction.

More recently, Jimmy Kimmel got teary-eyed when he talked about Erika Kirk forgiving the man who killed her husband. Jimmy, too, is highly educated. He lives a very different life from the one Charlie did, and Erika Kirk still does. I believe Jimmy Kimmel is starting to feel some goads. Erika’s willingness to forgive is messing with his mind. He doesn’t understand how she can do that because it’s the way of love.

Acts of selfless love penetrate one’s mind and spirit.

I guarantee you, there are a lot of individuals walking all around us who are struggling with the message and lifestyle of Jesus Christ and of those who follow him. The Holy Spirit is drawing them quietly to God. That is one of his duties. He convicts men of their sins and shows them they need forgiveness in order to have real life.

If you are related to an individual going through this, or you work with, or live near, pray for them. Pray they will stop fighting against the goads and surrender their will to God’s. Their future and where they spend eternity depend on it. If it is you, then do the right thing and live.

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