There can be no doubt, every one that is saved ought to be a witness.  I generally try to stay away from the phrase, “soul winner” because of the type of methodology that the term is associated with, and because it is not a biblical term.  A clear exegesis of the particular Proverb that declares the soul winner to be wise will show that he is speaking of making friends, not evangelizing.  Please do not take me wrong, anyone that is not interested in seeing sinners come to repentance and faith has probably never been there themselves.  It is vitally important, however, that we are gaining true converts and not making men “two fold children of  Hell” that have simply said a prayer, been dunked, memorized a creed, and adapted the accoutrement’s of the particular brand of religion that they happen to be a part of.

What causes men to use such fallacious methods of witnessing?  Certainly one problem is that some of these workers simply aren’t  saved.  If a man has never repented and submitted to the Lordship of Christ, it is doubtful that he will see the need that others do so.  Such individuals are often very hostile toward those that preach repentance, and go to great lengths to explain away the necessity of  repentance.  Some  have said that it simply means to change the mind.  The whole of scripture however declares a far different idea.  Christ repeatedly commanded men to take up the cross and follow him.  Christ also urged men to take His yoke upon them.  One will never take a yoke upon them without submitting first.

Another reason that such soft methods are employed is that men either misunderstand or mistrust the work of the Holy Ghost and the ability of God to draw the sinner.  Jesus declared that no one could come to Him except it were given Him of the Father.  Romans chapter five explains that there is none good nor any that seeks after God.  The sinner is completely depraved and will never seek God on his own.  Only the Spirit can convince men of sin and give them repentance and faith.   Those that misunderstand this or simply just do not believe it, will just see that the sinner gives a moral assent to certain truths and  lead the sinner in a shallow prayer.  Those that practice this dangerously shallow method usually say nothing of submitting to Christ’s Lordship, only that one must believe.  It should also be said that these same individuals go to great lengths to explain away First John so that they may justify the myriads of people that have made professions yet are unsaved.

The bottom line is that we can trust God to draw the sinner without any scheming on our part.  Jesus said that all the Father gave to Him would come to Him.  That being said, we do not have to reduce witnessing down to a sales pitch, nor do we have to manipulate people into saying a prayer.  I firmly believe that our God is well able to draw sinners unto Himself without any of our psychological ploys.  Let us declare the message faithfully and be sure that we are not facilitating the false profession of another.