“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
I have heard most of the excuses not to win others to Christ. Honestly, I have experienced most of these excuses myself and have heard the same excuses from many of the most-used-of-God soul-winners I have encountered. None of the reasons for not obeying God’s command to win souls to Christ are biblical.
Here are some of the most common reasons many give for not winning a lost soul from their eternal destiny of hell to eternal life in heaven:
- “I’m too shy.” All feel like this at one time or other, but should not obedience to God’s commandments supersede our pride and selfish feelings? Is not a soul’s eternal destination more important that our feelings of self-consciousness?
- “I don’t feel like it.” Laziness to do the right thing is another non-biblical reason many hide behind.
- “I didn’t know a Christian was supposed to tell others.” Too many do not read the Word of God, so they do not know what they are commanded to do. Unfortunately, many preachers who do not want to offend their members also do not make their flock aware of what they are expected to do.
- “I’m afraid of what others may say or think.” It is a shame that a person that we may never see again may not have the blessing to hear the salvation message from our lips because of our fear. Jesus was not afraid to show others the true way to Heaven even though He knew it would cost Him his earthly life, nor were the Apostles, the many that gave their lives so that others could hear it, and nor were the many that attempted to tell us.
- “I don’t know what to say.” Most people do not know how to tell others how to be saved when they first are saved themselves. Tell them how you got saved; then begin to memorize different scripture on salvation. God always convicts others through the use of His Word. Hide scripture in your heart; so that when the Holy Spirit uses you to witness to another, you have it there ready to win a soul to Him.
Winning souls is a bold thing for anyone to do. Our flesh certainly does not want to do it. It will make all kinds of excuses not to, but, we need to be wise anyway. Do what God commands and win souls!
“The yoke of Christ does not fit on a stiff neck.”
I don’t know if it is possible to be sold out to Christ and not be a seed sower, hence a winner of souls. If you are full of the Holy Ghost, it will spill out of you like an overfilled bucket. Thirsty, troubled people will come your way one after the other and give you the opportunity to give them living water. Your coworkers will make a point to tell you about their deaths and sicknesses in their families because they know you will pray for them and they are fertile ground for the Word. Your lost family will text you first with their problems and open the door for you to witness.
I know from my own life that when I was barely in, if in at all, I was shy, I was lazy, I didn’t know what to say, I was afraid of what they might think, etc… When I got in with both feet and sold out, suddenly it became natural and easy. It’s not that I don’t care what they think, it just never occurs to me to withhold what I have from them. I know what to say because I read, study, and pray about it every day. I am not shy or lazy because I am excited to see others get what I have.
I would love to pray more people through to salvation, but I am also content sowing the Word of God into people’s lives. I don’t generally become discouraged because I realize I cannot save them. My part is to bring the Word to them. God has always and will always respect their choice. He forces no one to be saved. He forces no one to serve him.
Christians who are not witnessing probably don’t think they have much to witness about. If that is you, I urge you to dig in on your study of the Word, have a prayer life more than “Now I lay me down to sleep”. Get in a good fundamental Bible teaching and believing church where you can grow. It won’t be long before you will not be able to keep it to yourself.
That is a good testimony. When I run another “Bible View” on a soul-winning them, I need to remember to get your permission and use your response. It tells of the right attitude and how it changes the concerns one may have on soul-winning.
Brother, if my words help, you are more than welcome to them. I appreciate this work that you do. I hope it blesses you as much as it does me.