Happy Soul-Winning

January 13, 2015  David Murray   4 comments

“There are many more sinners brought to Christ by happy Christians than by doleful Christians.” Charles Spurgeon

There’s a reason why comedians are popular and draw crowds. People feel happier when they are around happy people. Even memories of our school days remind us that funny kids are popular kids.

Happy Attraction

That’s one reason why the happiest Christians tend to be the best soul-winners. Their attractive cheerfulness draws people rather than repels them. Even non-Christians enjoy their company and gladly choose to spend time with them. You can’t evangelize if people avoid your miserable company and run when they see you coming.

Happy Contrast

Another reason is that genuine happiness is quite rare and people notice it when they come across it. They are intrigued and curious. They watch and study this unusual human specimen. They want to find out what makes such a person tick. They listen when they speak and try to work out what makes this person different.

In contrast, the sad Christian doesn’t stand out at all. He’s just like most everyone else in the world. Nothing special or different about him. No curiosity or puzzle there.

Happy Words

The happy Christian has a positive witness. He’s not always criticizing and condemning the world, but is pointing to Christ and highlighting His benefits. He uses the carrot more than the stick. He motivates by love more than fear. He draws with promises more than drives with threats.

Happy Hope

The happy Christian also wins souls by his optimism. He rejects fatalistic pessimism because he knows that God also loves to win souls, that He delights to save sinners, that He is not only able but willing to do so, and that He will receive any and all who come to Him by Christ.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.”
Proverbs 11:30

  • CT

    Dr. Murray, just heard you at The Happy Christian conference. Took your advice..cut out news talk several years ago…cut the cable cord two years ago…BUT also cut the news feeds to my smartphone yesterday….and everything is still OK. I think I may become more in touch with those who are special to me than out of touch by not listening to the sad and agonizing things in the news. Thank you for your insights and I look forward to a more happy life in Christ. These points mentioned above are so simple, true and logical it’s sad that we as a church have overlooked them for so long…I pray your efforts reach far and wide. Thank you again for your ministry and will be following your blog for a long time to come.

    • David Murray

      Thank you for the kind words, CT.

  • Brendon Ward

    Could not disagree more. Jesus was a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief; Spurgeon struggled with depression.

    Your post (and perhaps my comments) lacks grace, denies the power of the gospel and of the Holy Spirit.

    “I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2

    • David Murray

      Hi Brendon. Sorry my post upset you. I think if you read my blog regularly you’ll see that I have a big heart for people who suffer with depression. You may want to read my book, Christians Get Depressed Too. Although Spurgeon struggled with depression, I think his quote makes a valid point that in general (although there are exceptions) happy Christians are more effective soul-winners than doleful Christians. I’ve seen God use depressed Christians in remarkable ways, especially in comforting and counseling other sufferers. However, the very nature of depression makes it difficult for sufferers to reach out hopefully with the Gospel. You’re right, the Apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering or dejection at times, but he still commanded us to rejoice in the Lord always.

  • Pingback: January 14, 2014: Truth2Freedom Daily Briefing Report and Headline Alerts Collection | Truth2Freedom's Blog

  • Pingback: Happy Soul-Winning - The Aquila Report