You are here for a reason. God redeemed you for a reason. Your story exists for a reason. There's nothing you've been through that God won't use for His glory if you allow Him. This is the foundation of what I believe about soul winning and what the Bible teaches us about evangelism.
Proverbs 11:30 tells us, "The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."
Think about that—souls are up for grabs. You might be sitting in a cubicle every day next to somebody whose eternal destiny is undecided. They need someone to tell them about the hope that can only be found in Jesus.
Daniel 12:3 goes deeper, saying, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."
This verse takes us beyond the idea of souls being up for grabs to understanding that we're winning something not just for ourselves but for Godand it profoundly affects our personal eternity. Let's look at what this means for us.
The Eternal Rewards of Soul Winning
When we lead others to Christ, it shapes not just their eternity but ours as well. The way we spend eternity in the presence of God could be different than for those who do not win many souls for God. It doesn't mean they won't be in His presence, but there are some who will "shine like stars."
When we talk about heaven, we often think of equality, and yes, Christ won all of us through His blood. But the Bible clearly teaches that each person will be rewarded according to every thought, action, and deed.
In Matthew 6:20, Jesus instructs us to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal." This is what He's talking about, building a stockpile of eternal treasure.
We'll enter into His presence, but many will enter with loss of potential reward because we did not fulfill what He wanted us to do with our lives. In heaven, each of us will have different responsibilities, and many of our roles will be determined by whether we chose to be wise in leading others to Christ.
So if we understand that souls are treasures, the only thing we can take with us into eternity, the question becomes: how do we win these treasures for God's kingdom? The answer lies in two powerful approaches to evangelism.
Two Powerful Methods of Evangelism
There are two primary ways we can win souls, and each complements the other in reaching people with the gospel.
1. Lifestyle Evangelism
I believe lifestyle evangelism is the most powerful form of evangelism. Not everyone is gifted in preaching, but the way you live your life speaks volumes about your faith, the decisions you make, and your presence in a room.
When I was younger in ministr, I would get anxious before entering difficult situations, thinking, "What exactly should I say?" I felt the Holy Spirit gently tell me, "Don't overthink this. Go be you. Be who I have called you to be. They need the healing that comes from your authenticity because your healing is your story."
Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us to "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." There's a powerful testimony in simply living as God has called us to live.
Your family dynamics are a testimony. Your marriage is a testimony. The fact that you've overcome difficulties and stayed faithful to the Lord is a testimony. There are witnesses to God's grace all around you that you may undervalue or not even recognize.
Colossians 4:5 instructs us to "be wise in how you act toward outsiders." This means being intentional about how we present ourselves to those who don't yet know Christ. It's not about being fake—it's about being relatable and finding common ground.
While our lifestyle forms the foundation of our witness, there are times when we need to explicitly share the message of the gospel, which brings us to our second method.
2. Gospel Proclamation
The second method is what I call kingdom storytelling, which is actively declaring the Good News. Mark 16:15 commands us to "go into all the world and preach the gospel." Preaching is declaring, telling people about Jesus.
This proclamation isn't limited to pulpits or street corners. It can happen in a casual conversation, through social media, in your creative work, or in a moment of divine appointment. The key is that we're intentionally sharing the message of Christ's love and salvation.
Over the years, I've found that combining these two approaches, living authentically for Christ and actively sharing the message, creates the most powerful witness. Let me share some real-life examples of how this has played out in my own journey.
My Adventures in Soul Winning
I'm what you might call an evangelism junkie. I can't get enough of sharing Jesus with others, and I've tried almost everything to help people encounter Christ. These experiences have taught me that God can use us in unexpected ways when we're willing to step out.
Once, I was talking with a woman in a restaurant who seemed lost and needed answers. When I invited her to church, she said she couldn't come because she worked Sundays. I asked how much she earned on a Sunday, and she said about $98. I offered her $100 to take the day off and come to church!
She was shocked, but that Sunday, she sat on the second row completely engaged. During the message, she wept. At the altar call, she came forward and gave her heart to Jesus. Afterward, she hugged me and thanked me for telling her about Jesus... and then asked for her $100!
In Luke 19:10, Jesus says He "came to seek and to save that which was lost." If this was Christ's mission, shouldn't it be ours as well? That's why I continue to look for divine appointments in everyday situations.
I've had so many of these moments—like the time at Publix when God told me to give $20 to a woman driving a Mercedes. I hesitated, thinking she didn't need it, but obeyed. I discovered she was going through a divorce, her husband had emptied their accounts, and despite appearances, she didn't have money for food. That small act of obedience opened a door to share God's love.
These experiences have taught me that soul winning isn't always straightforward. Often, we need to navigate past certain barriers people have built up against faith. Understanding these barriers can help us be more effective in sharing the gospel.
Barriers to Evangelism
When sharing Jesus, you'll likely encounter three primary barriers, and each requires a different approach.
1. Intellectual Barriers
These include objections like "science has disproven God" or "if God is real, why do innocent people suffer?" These questions deserve thoughtful answers, but in my experience, they're rarely the actual roadblock to faith.
When people raise intellectual concerns, it's important to respond respectfully, but also to look deeper. Often, there's an emotional or spiritual issue hiding behind intellectual questions.
2. Emotional Barriers
This brings us to the second type of barrier. I've found emotional barriers often keep people from knowing God. Sometimes it's something painful that happened to them or something they simply don't like about Christianity.
Maybe they lost a loved one tragically, or they have someone close whose lifestyle doesn't align with biblical teaching. They've taken an emotional situation and decided to rewrite their concept of who God is.
The key is to discover what's driving someone's resistance to knowing Jesus and address their specific emotional need with compassion. Remember, if we all based our faith on emotions alone, none of us would believe in God. We all have experienced difficult situations that raise questions.
When addressing emotional barriers, your own story of how God has worked through your challenges often becomes the bridge that helps others cross their emotional divide.
3. Spiritual Barriers
The third type of barrier lies at the spiritual level. These include objections like "I don't want someone telling me what to do" or "Christianity is too restrictive" or "I'm not ready to give up my lifestyle." These are personal spiritual issues that require patience and prayer.
Spiritual barriers often boil down to the issue of surrender. People understand, perhaps instinctively, that following Christ means giving Him lordship over their lives. This surrender can feel threatening until they understand the freedom that comes with it.
So how do we address these various barriers effectively? One of the most powerful tools God has given us is our personal testimony.
The Power of Your Testimony
When facing these barriers, don't feel you need to have all the answers. Sometimes people ask me questions I don't know the answer to, and I simply say, "I don't know the answer to that, but what I do know is that Jesus loves you and cares for you. And I know what He's done in my life."
Revelation 12:11 tells us, "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." Your testimony breaks down barriers that logic cannot penetrate because it's not arguing a point—it's sharing an experience that cannot be denied.
What is your testimony? It consists of three simple parts:
- Who you were before Jesus
- How you encountered Jesus
- Who you are now after meeting Jesus
That's it. Just share, "Here's how my life used to be. I was bound by this. Then one day I met Jesus when someone talked to me and prayed with me, and now my life looks completely different." It's a powerful story, and Jesus often taught in parables because people respond to stories.
Your story becomes a bridge that others can cross to find their way to Jesus. Now that we understand the value of souls, the methods of evangelism, and how to overcome barriers, let's look at some practical steps to become more effective soul winners.
Practical Steps to Become a Soul Winner
Here are some specific challenges I want to offer you:
- Ask God to give you the "treasures of darkness" as promised in Isaiah 45:3—souls that need hope and encouragement.
- Ask God for boldness to declare who Jesus is.
- Use your personal testimony as a bridge to others.
- Make a list of people to pray for regularly.
- Look for daily opportunities to share your faith or show kindness to others.
- Use your gifts, talents, time, volunteerism, music, writing, speaking, creativity, and finances to advance the kingdom.
Psalm 2:8 tells us, "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." Have you asked God for souls? Have you said, "God, give me souls. I desire that you would give me the opportunity to share your hope with others"?
The Bible says, "Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you." Many wonder, "Why don't I win souls?" But have you ever asked? Have you ever specifically asked God to use you to lead others to Him?
The Time to Share is Now
As we wrap up, I want to challenge you with this question: Who are you going to reach this week? Who will you invite to join you at church? Will you take that step to speak to your neighbor or coworker that you've known for years but never shared your faith with because you fear criticism?
Isn't it interesting how the enemy convinces us to never give any answer because we don't have all the answers? I encourage you today—go with what you've got. Go with what you know. Go with your story. Go with your faith, and God will bless your efforts.
Remember, souls are the treasure that lasts. Jesus' mission was to win the lost, and it should be ours as well. Every person is a treasure waiting to be found. Evangelism isn't just preaching, it's living in a way that makes people curious about our faith.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, Paul asks, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy." Paul's greatest achievement wasn't his writings or his travels—it was the people he led to Christ.
I'll leave you with this final thought: What will be your crown of rejoicing? Who will be standing with you in eternity because you had the courage to share Jesus with them? The treasures you seek may be hidden in darkness now, but through your witness, they can become eternal stars in God's kingdom.
