The Heartbeat of Soul Winning
Moe Bergeron
Soul winning is more than a task;
it’s the very heartbeat of our Christian walk.
When we speak of soul winning, we speak of the great commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ, who commands us, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15, BSB). This commission is not optional; it’s a divine mandate that should stir our hearts with a holy urgency. Yet, how often do we feel overwhelmed or unsure of where to begin?
The essence of soul winning lies in the love of Christ that compels us.
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 remind us, "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again." Our motivation is not rooted in obligation or fear but in the overwhelming love of Christ that overflows from our hearts. When we grasp the depth of His love for us, sharing it with others becomes a natural outflow of our lives.
The first step in soul winning is cultivating a genuine burden for the lost.
Jesus demonstrated this burden in Matthew 9:36: "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Jesus saw beyond their outward appearance and recognized their deep spiritual need. To be effective soul winners, we must ask God to open our eyes to the spiritual condition of those around us and to fill our hearts with His compassion.
Prayer is the foundation of soul winning.
We cannot change a heart, but God can. In Acts 16:14, we see how "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message." Only the Holy Spirit can convict and draw a person to Christ. Therefore, we must bathe our efforts in prayer, asking God to prepare the hearts of those we witness to, and to give us the boldness and wisdom to share the gospel clearly and lovingly.
Another key aspect of soul winning is our witness.
Our lives should reflect the gospel we preach. Philippians 2:15 exhorts us to "be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world." Our conduct, our speech, and our love for others should all point to Christ. People may not always listen to what we say, but they will notice how we live. A life lived in the light of Christ’s love can often speak louder than words.
Furthermore, we must be ready to share the gospel at any moment.
1 Peter 3:15 instructs us, "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but respond with gentleness and respect." This readiness comes from spending time in God’s Word and understanding the message of the gospel so that we can articulate it clearly. Soul winning isn’t about having all the answers but about being willing to share the hope we’ve found in Christ.
Soul winning also involves patience and persistence.
Not everyone will respond to the gospel immediately, and some may even reject it. But we are called to persevere, trusting that God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Just as a farmer waits for the harvest, we too must be patient, knowing that God is at work in ways we cannot see. Sometimes, we are called to plant seeds, other times to water them, but it is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Finally, we must remember that soul winning is a partnership with God.
We are His ambassadors, representing Christ to a lost world (2 Corinthians 5:20). This is a high calling, but we do not undertake it alone. Jesus promised, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). His presence empowers us, and His Spirit guides us as we step out in faith to share the gospel.
My last point, soul winning is the natural overflow of a heart touched by God’s grace.
It is fueled by love, sustained by prayer, and characterized by a life that reflects the light of Christ. As we go forth to fulfill the great commission, may we do so with the assurance that we are co-laborers with God, trusting Him to bring about the harvest in His perfect time.
Prayer… Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus. We do so with humble hearts, recognizing our need for Your help in the great task of soul winning. We ask that You fill us with Your Holy Spirit, giving us the compassion, boldness, and wisdom we need to share Your love with those around us. Open our eyes to the needs of the lost, and empower us to be faithful witnesses of Your gospel. Guide our words, soften hearts, and draw many to Yourself. We trust in Your promise to be with us always, and we rely on Your strength as we seek to fulfill Your great commission. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.