When recruiting leaders...
"ask Jesus about this. And DO WHAT HE SAYS."

Starting PAX. "Pray about it and do what God says."

PAUL: "don't go..."

BUT THE CENTURION, INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO PAUL, ...

Paul learned that it's rough to not listen to God (and/or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit)

"it is hard for you to kick against the goads"

Big stick for prodding cattle = cattle prod.
Sometimes an ornery cow kicks at it instead of moving. Then gets prodded harder.

This is a sign of stubbornness. "My way" or "I don't want to go"
But we are called to OBEDIENCE.

Obedience to God is kind of the whole point.

rebellion = witchcraft?!?

WHY?

Because rebellion/arrogance is witchcraft/idolatry.
It's placing SOMETHING OTHER THAN GOD AS THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY.

This is the ORIGINAL SIN. It's the first lie we bought into as humans, and what led to the need for redemption and salvation.

The ORIGINAL SIN is rebellion against God.
The ORIGINAL SIN is rejection of God and elevation of another (usually ourselves).
The ORIGINAL SIN is idolatry and pride.

"hard to kick against the goads"
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"Pray about it and do what God says."