The Soul Winners Challenge

Proverbs 11:30 – “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

I heard once about a court case that was lost because of the silence of an attorney. The distinguished lawyer Samuel Hoar (1778-1856) was representing the defendant. When it was time to present his case, he told the jurors that the facts favoring his client were so evident that he would not insult their intelligence by arguing them. The jury retired to deliberate and returned in a few minutes with a verdict of guilty. Samuel Hoar was astonished! "How," he asked, "could you have reached such a verdict?"  The foreman replied, "We all agreed that if anything could be said for a case, you would say it. But since you didn't present any evidence, we decided to rule against you." Silence had lost the case. How often the opportunity to speak a word of testimony for Christ is lost because we remain silent. Those who need to hear the gospel may conclude that salvation is not important enough to talk about. 

Our duty as children of God is to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ.  Christ Himself was our example for soul-winning.  J. K. Johnston, in his book Why Christians Sin, tells us “Christ met unbelievers where they were. He realized what many Christians today still don't seem to understand. Cultivators have to get out in the field. According to one count, the gospels record 132 contacts that Jesus had with people. Six were in the Temple, four in the synagogues and 122 were out with the people in the mainstream of life.”  And that’s where we meet most people who need the gospel, in the mainstream of life. And the wise man of the Bible tells us, “He that winneth souls is wise.”

In order to win souls there are three things that you must do in preparation.  One – Be sure of your own salvation.  Sammy Allen once said, “You can’t lead somebody further than you’ve been.”  Two – Be spiritual – walk with God.  Ephesians 5:18 tells us, “Be filled with the Spirit.”  This is an imperative to witnessing.  Three – Be separated – “hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 23).”  How you walk in your daily life will greatly affect how people will respond to you.

Once prepared, put it in practice.  The most important tool you have is prayer.  Stay in communication with the Father.  He will give you the strength and wisdom you need to witness for Him.  As you go about telling someone about Christ, use Scripture.  Develop a system that you can stick to, but keep it flexible.  Always memorize the Scriptures, so that you can quote it as you have the person read it with you aloud.  Then try to bring the person to a decision, not undue pressure, but some pressure is often needed.  But always use discretion in dealing with people.  Warren Wiersbe tells of a Methodist pastor, William Sangster, who had an eccentric member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man was mentally deficient and usually did the wrong thing. While working as a barber the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?"  The frightened man fled with the lather on his face! 

Consider very prayerfully your method.  Get your own – accept help – keep it simple.  For example:      

                        A – Fact of sin – Romans 3:23 (Romans 5:12);

B – Penalty of sin – Romans 6:23 (Hebrews 9:27);

C – Penalty paid by Christ – Romans 5:8 (1 Peter 3:18);

D – You must accept – Romans 10:13 (John 1:12). 

Remember – Prayer is the key – so don’t forget to pray.

Quote – “You can’t win a soul unless you do it on purpose!” – Dr. Lee Stuart

"Lord, Thank you for entrusting to us the privilege of leading others to salvation. Help us to ever be ready to tell someone about you, and in so doing perhaps pluck a brand from the fire. Amen."