Let’s Go Fishing!

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”- Matthew 4:19

In the book of Matthew, Jesus told Peter and Andrew to come with Him and become “fishers of men.” The Bible records that the two men immediately left their boats and went with Him (Matthew 4:20). Jesus still calls us to be “fishers of men.” It is the job of every Christian to share the gospel with the world, so we must be prepared. We must take what we need, know where to go, know what to say, and wait on the Lord to do His work. If we follow in the footsteps of Christ and do as He did, we will truly become “fishers of men.”

Step One – The Right Equipment

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

 A fisherman has to have the right equipment in order to catch fish. He must have the right rod and reel for the type of fish he intends to catch and the right strength of fishing line. You wouldn’t use a long stick and twine to catch a marlin! The best sportsmen know exactly what is needed to reel in their catch of the day. As a “fisher of men,” we must also have the right equipment. There are two things that are vital to fishing for the souls of men. One, the Holy Spirit must be actively present, and two, the Bible must be our soul-winning manual. We must allow the Spirit of God to work through His Word to reach lost individuals. Without that, the fishing will be futile.

Step Two – The Right Place

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15

Every good fisherman knows the “spot” to find fish. Sometimes, they use a “finder” to locate a school of fish; sometimes they rely on past experiences. Whatever the method, to know the place where fish are biting is crucial to a successful day of fishing. The right place for soul-winning could be any place, but here is one instance when the right equipment comes into play. Fish where the Holy Spirit prompts you. It could be in your own home, at a friend’s house, in the mall, at work… the perfect spots for fishing are all around us. Allow the Spirit of God to be your “finder” of souls that need catching!

Step Three – The Right Bait

“The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” – Proverbs 18:4

A fisherman has many choices when it comes to baiting the hook. Lures, fish eggs, live worms? Which is best? Choosing wisely often requires learning about fish. What has a particular fish been attracted to in the past? What have more experienced fishermen used for this type of fish? When fishing for men, we must wisely choose the words we use to share the gospel. Look closely at the need in the lives of the lost. Are they hurting? Are they asking questions? Are they facing dire circumstances in life? How old are they? How deep is their understanding capability? Knowing the person to whom you are witnessing will help you determine what to say in sharing the gospel. Although the message is the same, the words you use when sharing Christ with a 10-year-old are quite different than those you would use with an adult.

Step Four – The Right Attitude

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

Fishermen are known for having great patience. I’ve known some who have sat in a small boat for hours waiting for one little nibble, and they’ve done so with great contentment. As fishers of men, we must be patient and allow the Lord to do His work in the lives of the lost. Remember, God’s timing is not always the same as ours, and it is He who does the “saving,” not us. As a young teen, I remember witnessing to my mother constantly. It was frustrating for me that she didn’t accept Christ immediately; my patience was virtually non-existent. But God’s plan was different than mine. It wasn’t until 25 years later that my mother finally received Christ as her Saviour, and I will never forget that wonderful moment! His timing was perfect as always! Soul-winning takes great patience, but if we trust God, He is faithful to do the work.

Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,
A passion to save the lost;
O that Thy love were by all adored,
And welcomed at any cost.

Jesus, I long, I long to be winning
Men who are lost, and constantly sinning;
O may this hour be one of beginning
The story of pardon to tell.

(from “A Passion for Souls” by Herbert G. Tovey)

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

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“The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.” – Carl F.H. Henry