Jesus said something to Saul on the road to Damascus that is rich with application for us today. Saul was persecuting Christians but then met Jesus Himself. His conscience must have been pricking him, for Jesus said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). A goad was a sharp stick used to prod cattle while plowing. Pricking them in the back of the leg urged them to keep moving forward in their work. Sometimes an ox might kick back against that goad out of frustration, but doing so only hurt the ox even more.
Is your conscience pricking you because you are holding back from doing something that you need to do? Has anyone ever come and encouraged to you take steps necessary to get right with God? Did you ever lash out or get frustrated with that person for sticking their nose where it didn’t belong? Perhaps, in some of this, you may have been kicking against the goads and only hurting yourself.
If you’re holding back from obeying the gospel, don’t kick against your conscience anymore. Walk straight into the arms of Jesus today and give yourself to Him!