Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
The young Jeremiah reminds me of many believers and their soul winning. Jeremiah did not feel adequate to be God’s prophet. He felt he was too young, not a good enough speaker, fearful of what the people would do to him, and didn’t know what to speak. God settled in Jeremiah’s life that He was adequate to help overcome every excuse or obstacle that would hinder him from being His prophet.
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The one great command for every believer is to be a soul winner, but there are many hindrances that believers use that keep them from soul winning. If you will be the soul winner that God wants you to be, you must realize that God is more than adequate to help you overcome any shortcomings you think you have that would keep you from being a soul winner. Let me share several hindrances and answers that keep many from being a soul winner.
The first hindrance to soul winning is not feeling that you are a mature enough Christian to be a soul winner. God reminded Jeremiah that he was called in the womb, and you need to realize that God commissioned every believer to be a soul winner. If you are understanding enough to get saved, you are capable enough to be a soul winner. All you need to do is tell others how you got saved. Never let your “new Christian” status keep you from soul winning.
The second hindrance is not giving the Gospel. Jeremiah said, “I cannot speak.” Handing out tracts is not bad, but giving the simple Gospel is much better. You have to tell others the Gospel if they are going to get saved. If you have never given the Gospel to someone, they cannot have an opportunity to accept Christ as their Saviour. Instead of just giving out tracts, ask people if you can tell them how you got saved, and give them the Gospel.
The third hindrance is a fear of what might happen. God told Jeremiah, “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee,…” I recently had a gentleman tell me he was afraid someone might hit him if he asked them about their salvation. I told him I have been soul winning for over forty years, and I have yet to have someone try to hit me. Fear will paralyze your ability to give the Gospel. You must have faith in God and trust Him that He will be with you no matter what happens.
The fourth hindrance is a fear that you will say the wrong thing. God told Jeremiah, “Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.” I am always amazed how God puts the words in my mouth as I go soul winning, and He will put them in yours as well. If you will just give people the Gospel, no matter how afraid you are, you will be pleasantly surprised that God will give you the very words you need to speak to each individual as you give the Gospel.
The fifth hindrance is a lack of vision. God asked Jeremiah, “Jeremiah, what seest thou?” You will certainly not care for the lost on their way to Hell if you have no vision. All around you are people who need to get saved. Do you care where they will spend an eternity? My friend, get a vision for the souls of mankind and see their need for a Saviour. There is someone today you can reach; don't let this day pass without sharing the Gospel with one person.