And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)
Soulwinners are wise. Webster defines wisdom as “the right use or exercise of knowledge.” The soulwinner does not stop at knowledge of the truth but instead exercises their personal knowledge of the gospel. They are obedient to the command, “preach the gospel to every creature.” A soulwinner is a flourishing bright shining star in the firmament of God’s creation. They enjoy the wisdom of God. “…and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Prov. 11:30)
Soulwinners are wise in prayer. A person with a heart for souls is praying before, after, and during their witnessing experience. Soulwinners are desperately aware of their need for supernatural help. Every time I hear a testimony from someone who has shared their faith it is always followed by a prayer request: “Please pray for so and so to be saved,” “pray that the Lord will help me next time I talk to them,” or “please pray that they will grow in the Lord now that they are saved.” Soulwinners are wise in prayer.
Soulwinners are wise concerning eternity. A soulwinners spiritual eyes are wide open. When you talk to people about their souls you are stricken with the reality that everyone is headed for either heaven or hell for eternity.
Soulwinners will be wise concerning the Holy Spirit. Soulwinning deepens your relationship with the Holy Spirit. After you have mapped out the plan of salvation in your Bible and flagged key salvation verses you quickly realize being a witness for Christ is not just an academic endeavor. The soulwinner realizes they desperately need the Holy Spirits’ help. The Holy Spirit is the available companion of the soulwinner. He is present to empower, assist, and teach the Soulwinner that looks to God for supernatural help. Soulwinners have a common experience and testimony of supernatural guidance and strength as they witness. A good soulwinner has developed a relationship with the Holy Spirit. The soulwinner is wise concerning the Holy Spirit. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Soulwinners are wise in Scripture. Wisdom again means, “knowledge rightly applied.” The soulwinners knowledge of God’s Word does not stop at academic understanding. They know how to properly apply the Word of God. The Sword of the Spirit is held tightly in the heart and hand of the soulwinner. A soulwinner reads, studies, and memorizes the Scripture not just for their own souls’ edification but also for all the people they witness to. Every Christian book, sermon, or Sunday School lesson is consumed not just for their own souls’ edification but also on behalf of all they witness to. Soulwinners learn Scripture in the battle for the faith. Sometimes when sharing the faith, the soulwinner is asked hard questions that they do not have an answer for. They are driven to find the answer in Scripture. Soulwinning “failures” are actually the pathways to later success. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Tim. 2:15) “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:1)
Soulwinners are wise in holiness. IF you have a burden for souls you will want to be clean and close to the Lord. The soulwinner understands that only clean vessels that are abiding in Christ bring forth fruit (John 15). The world you witness to expects you to represent your message of the gospel by acting like Christ. Lost people instinctively know how a Christian is supposed to act and will hold you to a high standard. The Lord helps His soulwinners live a holy life that His light will shine through for His glory and the salvation of souls.
Soulwinners are wise concerning church. Soulwinning will cause you to be faithful to church. Church is a great place to lead people to Christ. An evangelistic church will have unsaved people walk through their doors. A soul conscious Christian will be at church to guide others to Christ. A soulwinner is constantly handing out gospel tracts and inviting their co-workers, friends, and neighbors to Church. They will want to be there when they show up. A soulwinner understands that the church is a place for his or her own personal growth and for the growth of new believers. It is where we observe the “all things” (Matt. 28:20) portion of the great commission. It is where we “continue in doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42) Soulwinners understand the importance of church.
Soulwinners are wise concerning the needs of others. Soulwinning will give you a tender heart. We live in a broken, sin cursed world with troubled people. As you witness for Christ you will hear heartaches and heartbreaks. A soulwinner gets outside of his or her own little world and empathizes with the pain and suffering of others. The soulwinner helps bear the burdens of others and points them to the ultimate burden bearer the Lord Jesus Christ. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6)
Soulwinners are wise concerning the joy in Christ. Soulwinning helps you enjoy life. “…come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6b) “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10). The greatest joy besides your own soul’s salvation is the salvation of other souls. The joy experienced in heaven in the presence of the angels is experienced in the soulwinners heart as well. A soulwinner has the joy of heaven in his life.
Soulwinners have wisdom in friendship. Soulwinning gives you friends. You never forget the person or people that brought you to Christ. There is a special bond between the soul and the soulwinner. Being a spiritual mother or father is great reward.
Soulwinners are wise in their knowledge of God. Soulwinning is near to the heart of God. The soulwinner has experiential knowledge of God and His ways. The soulwinner is Christ’s friend. They have a partnership with Jesus that others do not enjoy. They are yoked together with Christ in pursuit of the lost. Their life’s mission is in line with Christ’s who, “is come to seek and to save that which is lost.” (Luke 19:10). The soulwinner is following Christ and fishing for men!
“Soulwinning is about the only thing worth doing and anybody can do it!”
– unknown
I would rather win souls than be the greatest king or emperor on earth; I would rather win souls than be the greatest general that ever commanded an army; I would rather win souls than be the greatest poet, or novelist, or literary man who ever walked the earth.
– R. A. Torrey