As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "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?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Acts 9:3-6

Saul, obviously startled by the Lord’s unexpected interruption to his plans, asked, “Who are You, Lord?” Did you notice that he asked, “Who are You,” but acknowledged that it was, in fact the Lord? He knew!

Notice also Jesus’ response: "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." Jesus confirmed that it was indeed Himself! And then added, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads." Isn’t that the truth! There are actually two truths in that statement:

First, when we are opposing the Lord (even when we are sinning in common ways), the Lord graciously goads us (nudging us with conviction) not to continue in those sinful paths. These “goads” are the first step in God’s restraining grace. Sometimes when we resist those promptings of the Holy Spirit, He will allow us to resist Him and proceed into sin—which is why we must train ourselves (in the strength of the Lord) to respond correctly to His goads. At other times, however, He will disallow us to continue (as in Saul’s case as God stopped him!).

Second, it is “hard” to go against the Lord’s gracious promptings. Let us be wise not to continue into sin by ignoring His voice. The best time to say “No,” to self and to sin is immediately! Why? Because each time we resist the Spirit’s conviction, the easier it is to resist again. And again. And again, and again until our consciences become seared. When that happens, we tend to become numbly unaware of His loving conviction. That is a most dangerous place to be!