PERSONALITY PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING
By Buddy Murphrey
In trying to reach people for Christ we want to display a pleasant personality. A grouchy disposition can close the door to winning them.
1. BE FRIENDLY AND CHEERFUL
Demonstrate what you want to give them. Friendliness will prevent the drudgery in visiting. A friendly attitude will warm a cold heart. We are told in Proverbs 18:24, "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly."
2. SMILE
A smile will open a closed door. A smile will demand attention and respect from strangers. You can smile if you want to, it will help.
3. BE BRISK
By brisk we mean to be stimulating and enthusiastic. No one appreciates a deadpan visiting them nor a "fish-tail" hand shake. Perk up and come alive.
4. BE POLITE
It is important that we are courteous and kind in our dealings with the unsaved. We should watch our manners. Be gentle and considerate.
5. BE TACTFUL
Tact is the wisdom or skill of saying or doing the right thing at the right time. It has been defined as "spiritual intelligence." If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the bee hive. Pray for tact. The opposite of tact is crudeness which is defined as lacking grace or not refined.
6. BE COURAGEOUS
In Joshua 1:7 we are told, "only be thou strong and very courageous." The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:31, "if God be for us, who can be against us?" "The fear of man bringeth a snare" (Prov. 29:25).
7. BE SYMPATHETIC
This word sympathetic means "fellow feeling" or "showing interest." It is more felt than heard. It is weeping with the sad and rejoicing with the glad. It is entering into the feelings of others. This does not mean to sit for hours listening to someone's life history. However, if there is a problem he wishes to share, we do well to listen and help. In so doing we win their confidence and win them to Christ.