How to Win Souls for the Lord

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” – Proverbs 11:30

Sharing the gospel and seeing people saved from it is often called “winning souls for the Lord.” While you can never make someone believe, there are hallmarks of wisdom surrounding soul-winning that can make ministry more effective.

In the heart of his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul unpacks the “how” and the “why” to winning souls for Christ. His exhortation in 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 provides a timeless blueprint for effective ministry that reaches hearts without compromising the message of the gospel.

“[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. [20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. [23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. [24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” – 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

The Most Important First Step

Before you can minister the gospel, you have to know the gospel. This is the “what” you are ministering. Salvation happens through belief in the message of Christ’s finished work on the cross to pay for your sins, and if you are trying to preach any other message, you’re wrong. Watering down the consequence of sin, taking away from the deity of Christ, or adding works to complete and gracious provision of Jesus’s blood sacrifice are all examples of a perverted gospel (2Co 11:3-4). The clearest presentation of the gospel of grace is found later in the same epistle in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:

“[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Without the message of the gospel clearly understood and believed, the person trying to preach Christ will be an unsaved, misunderstood deceiver muddying the simplicity that is in Christ.

Serving in Freedom to Gain More

With the message of the gospel clearly understood, the next step in winning souls for the Lord pertains to “why” and “how” you minister the gospel to others. Paul, in declaring himself “free from all men,” reveals an essential aspect of soul-winning: liberty used for service (1 Corinthians 9:19). Though free from the law and the bondage of sin, Paul chose to become a servant to all, utilizing his freedom to connect with diverse groups for the sake of the gospel (1 Corinthians 7:22-23). His ultimate goal was not monetary gain but the salvation of souls (Proverbs 11:30, 2 Timothy 2:10, Romans 9:1-5).

Adapting Without Compromise

Paul’s adaptability was key. By becoming as a Jew to win Jews and relating to those under the law, Paul didn’t disregard the law around Jewish company but used this cultural connection as a bridge for the gospel (Acts 16:1-3, 21:21-26). Similarly, when ministering to Gentiles, he met them in their context without compromising his own obedience to Christ (Acts 17:22-31).

His approach to soul-winning was to avoid unnecessary offense. The gospel itself is already an offensive message to the perishing world, but Paul’s behavior was not, and that is the same approach we must take if we want to get ourselves out of the way as much as possible (1 Corinthians 1:18, 10:32-33, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10). He exemplified speaking truth in love—plainly, sincerely, kindly, and meekly (2 Corinthians 2:14-17, Ephesians 4:1-3, 4:15, 5:1-2, Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 2:24-26). The message of the gospel, no matter how life-changing and true, can be easily rejected if delivered contentiously and scornfully.

In this self-sacrificial approach, emulating Christ’s own sacrifice and humility, Paul demonstrates that the gospel’s advancement hinges on our love for others rooted in Christ’s love (Romans 5:8, Philippians 2:4-8). This might involve setting aside personal preferences to connect with someone or addressing their doubts with patience. Ultimately, Paul's motivation stemmed from his love for Christ and the desire for others to experience that same salvation. This love serves as the fuel that propels us to share the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:14).

Running to Obtain an Incorruptible Crown 

The mission of soul-winning is likened to a race with an incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). In this race, spiritual discipline is akin to an athlete’s rigorous training (Galatians 5:22-23, Titus 2:1-8). The “crown” is not a physical reward but the joy of seeing people be saved by Christ and grow in Him (Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19).

Paul’s certainty in running this race and fighting the good fight of faith comes from a foundation of truth. If you’re running in the wrong direction, you’re going to lose the proverbial race. If you’re fighting a fight with no weapons, armor, or training, you’re going to lose the fight. He gets his own flesh out of the way, ensuring that his personal conduct does not hinder the gospel message or become a stumbling block to others (Galatians 5:13).

The Ultimate Goal: Winning Souls

Winning souls for the Lord is a strategic and disciplined endeavor that requires conviction, humility, adaptability, and temperance. It is about using our freedom in Christ not for self-indulgence but as a means of reaching others with the gospel. God’s will for today is that all would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), and if we are to walk according to that will, we need to equip ourselves with the knowledge of how to minister the gospel correctly. We need to have the right heart and mind concerning ministry or else our efforts will be in vain. By living and preaching with integrity, we can become a more effective conduit for the gospel, while striving for the eternal reward of saved souls and transformed lives for Christ’s sake and not our own.