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

Life, and soul winning in particular, is a lot like a game of chess. One makes a positive move, and another makes a counter move with a "good move" of his own. We, as pawns, often are not seen as a real threat to say a king or a queen, but we can be almost "deadly" when used skillfully by the master. Many games have come down to a battle of pawns before they were over.

Often our moves are somewhat limited, and often critical to the game. One wrong move can lose a game, as easily as one "wrong" move in life can destroy a life. Once a move is made in tournament play, it cannot be rescinded, even if you see the trap immediately after you move into it. So it is with life also, and with soul winning. Each move is critical, and many times, cannot be taken back, no matter what the regret. Oh how often a chess player wishes he had never made a certain move, but once made, it is final. Such is life also; soul winner, we make many "moves" that we later learn to regret, but we cannot yet quit the game. We learn the game through foolish moves! We learn to win.

Our struggle in chess is for control, to dominate the other player(s), hoping to keep the opponent on the run, and on the defensive. He, by the way, is trying to do the same to me! It becomes a matter of wits, a battle of the wills, of smart moves, and even trades, and unseen traps. Often he who controls the center of the board, eventually wins the game. Those in life, and in soul winning, who "control the board" will often flourish and excel. The best soul winners are those who dominate the conversation, and "steer it" in the direction they need to go. It takes skill; it takes practice, both in chess and in soul winning.

In chess, the first twelve moves are absolutely critical, a match can be won or lost in the "opening moves". So it is with soul winning. The first several minutes set the pace for the rest of your presentation, and can be absolutely critical to whether a soul is saved or lost. You see, it matters how you play the game! We try not to be intimidated by the opponent, while slightly intimidating him. As we move into his "territory" we become a potential threat to him; we have made a threatening move, and he must counter it. As we enter the home of the potential prospect, we invade his domain, and he is uncomfortable, we must learn to control the situation. Expect the counter moves friend, plan for it, and let Jesus be the center of your "game."

In chess, you always "plan" for his next move. You consider all the possibilities available to him and you, then you look for the solution, and move accordingly. Never underestimate your opponent, many games are lost because of over confidence. This overconfidence will cause the soul winner to move before the Lord is ready, and he finds himself "out on a limb" by himself. Never move foolishly, hoping the other player will not catch your scheme, many games have been lost in the whisper, "I had hoped you didn't see that." By the same token, don't bother with "trickery" soul winner, a mans spirit cannot fool another mans spirit into getting saved.

Each man on the chess board is important, and all have worth. You, dear friend are also important in the work of the Lord, and you are of a very great value to Him. To be behind by only one piece, against a worthy opponent, often leaves one handicapped to the point of no recovery. As servant of the Lord, we cannot afford to lose one man to Satan's forces lest we fight at a slight disadvantage, as a chess player does when he is behind a man or two, and the rest of the workers suffer a little more to carry the load. As an opponent makes a counter move, we must determine our next move according to his, and so it goes through the rest of the game. In soul winning, we need to be "wise as serpents", and "harmless as doves". We need to expect a counter move, or a question to pop up, and be ready to handle it, then make another advancing move, and see what he does with that! Do you see how important it is to study soul winning? We must "study to show thyself approved unto God" especially in the matter of soul winning. The prospect (opponent) will respond to your move, so it is imperative that you make the best move possible for the situation. Many times the man who makes the first move sets the pace for the rest of the game. We, as soul winners, must take the initiative, we need to make the first move.

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