The phrase “kick against the pricks” comes from Acts 9:5, where it refers to resisting God’s guidance and authority. It symbolizes the futility of opposing divine will, as attempting to harm oneself by resisting God is ultimately self-destructive.
Scripture
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
“Kick Against the Pricks” Meaning in the Bible
The phrase “kick against the pricks” appears in Acts 9:5, where Saul of Tarsus encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. In this moment, Jesus poses a rhetorical question to Saul, saying, “It is hard for you to kick against the pricks” (or “goads”). The term “pricks” or “goads” refers to sharp sticks used by farmers to motivate oxen or cattle to move in a desired direction. This imagery conveys the broader message about the futility of resisting divine guidance. Just as the ox who kicks against the goads causes itself pain and suffering, an individual who resists God’s will inevitably finds themselves in a position of internal conflict, leading to spiritual turmoil and dissatisfaction.
This concept is echoed throughout scripture, underscoring the importance of aligning oneself with divine purpose. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises believers to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Here, the idea reinforces that resisting God leads to confusion and hardship, while submission to His will brings clarity and direction. The overarching message emphasizes that, rather than fighting against divine intent, embracing God’s guidance can lead to true fulfillment and peace.
The themes of resisting divine guidance and facing the consequences of such resistance are woven throughout the biblical narrative. The Book of Jonah serves as a poignant example, where Jonah’s initial refusal to follow God’s command to preach to the people of Nineveh ultimately leads him into a series of tumultuous events. His attempt to flee not only brought him physical danger but also inner turmoil, highlighting the message that resisting divine purpose can lead to personal suffering. Jonah’s eventual submission to God’s will illustrates the transformative power of obedience, and how surrendering to divine plans can lead to redemption and purpose rather than hardship.
Additionally, the story of King Saul, the first monarch of Israel, mirrors this struggle with God’s direction. During his reign, Saul repeatedly defied God’s commands, leading to a decline in his favor with the Lord. The consequences of his disobedience echo the principles found in the phrase “kick against the pricks,” as Saul’s resistance to God’s authority ultimately resulted in his isolation and despair. In contrast, figures like David, who closely attuned themselves to God’s will, experienced a more profound sense of fulfillment despite facing their challenges. These narratives highlight the biblical perspective that aligning oneself with divine guidance not only fosters spiritual growth but also cultivates peace and purpose, reminding believers of the importance of heeding God’s call.
Resistance to Divine Guidance
The phrase “kick against the pricks” symbolizes the futility of resisting God’s will or guidance. It suggests that individuals who oppose divine direction are ultimately harming themselves. Just as an ox kicking against a goad would only injure itself, so too do people who reject God’s plans face unnecessary struggles and pain. This broader meaning emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s life with divine purpose rather than fighting against it.
The Consequences of Rebellion
Another interpretation of this phrase relates to the consequences of rebellion against authority, particularly divine authority. It highlights the idea that defiance can lead to self-inflicted suffering. Those who choose to rebel against God’s commands or moral laws may find themselves in difficult situations, illustrating that rebellion often leads to negative outcomes. This serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of obedience and humility in the face of divine authority.
The Struggle of Human Will
The phrase also reflects the internal struggle between human will and divine intention. It captures the tension that exists when individuals grapple with their desires versus what they believe to be God’s plan for them. This broader meaning acknowledges the complexity of faith and the challenges that come with surrendering one’s own ambitions in favor of a higher calling. It encourages believers to reflect on their own struggles and the importance of yielding to a greater purpose.
How to Submit to God’s Authority in Faith
Submitting to God’s authority in faith is a deeply personal journey that requires both humility and trust. It begins with recognizing that God’s wisdom far surpasses our own; His plans for us are woven with love and purpose, even when we can’t see the full picture. To truly submit, we must cultivate a heart of surrender, which means letting go of our need for control and embracing the idea that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). This can be challenging, especially when life throws us unexpected trials, but it’s in these moments that our faith can grow the strongest. Prayer becomes our lifeline, allowing us to communicate our fears and desires while seeking His guidance. Surrounding ourselves with a community of believers can also provide support and encouragement as we navigate our faith journey. Remember, submitting to God’s authority is not about losing our individuality; rather, it’s about finding our true selves in Him, trusting that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Embrace this process with an open heart, and you’ll find that true peace and purpose come from walking in His ways.
Bible References to “Kick Against the Pricks”:
Acts 26:12-18: 12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.”
13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.
And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
1 Samuel 15:22-23: 22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
Proverbs 15:10-12: 10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
Isaiah 45:9-10: 9 “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
a pot among earthen pots!
Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
or ‘Your work has no handles’?
10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’”
Jeremiah 7:23-24: 23 But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’
24 But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.
Jeremiah 19:15: 15 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the disaster that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to hear my words.”
Jeremiah 26:12-13: 12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard.
13 Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you.
Ezekiel 2:3-7: 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.
4 And the descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’
5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.
7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.
Hosea 4:16-19: 16 For Israel is stubborn like a stubborn heifer. Now the Lord will feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture.
17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone.
18 Their drink is sour; they give themselves to whoring; her rulers dearly love shame.
19 A wind has wrapped them in its wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.
Matthew 23:29-36: 29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,
30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.
33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
John 15:18-25: 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
Romans 9:19-21: 19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”
20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
1 Corinthians 10:9-11: 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents.
10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
Hebrews 3:7-11: 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness
9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works
10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’
11 As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.