Evangelism is the tenderest of things. The evangelistic relationship is so personal, so fragile that many devoted Christians are afraid to try. Evangelism undresses the heart.

Yes, ‘tis true, the gospel presentation involves objective historical facts, e.g., Jesus Christ died for our sins, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Beyond the facts, however, true evangelism uncovers the barest emotions of the heart. Evangelism is one heart speaking with another heart.

Personal evangelism is just that—very personal. The soul-winner takes the wraps off his heart in hope the next person will unveil his own.

When anyone witnesses to another he reveals himself. The Greek word for witness is martyr, e.g., one who suffers or is killed for his faith. The witness opens his life and lays it down in front of another. He is no longer protecting himself, but rather revealing his intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus to another person. He is willing to openly show who he is, what he believes, who he loves, and who he is willing to suffer or die for. He knows that he may be rejected, mocked, or ridiculed, yet he plunges ahead with the most personal element of life—his faith and love toward God.

Inherent in the gospel presentation (“Jesus did for our sins”) is the acknowledgement “I am a sinner, saved by grace.” To witness means we reveal ourselves, maybe more than we wish. To witness means to open up to another person a hidden part of ourselves that may be very private. When we say, “I’ve invited Jesus into my heart,” or “I love God” or “My sins are forgiven through the blood of Christ,” we are confessing very personal things about our lives.

Evangelism is delicate, tender and revealing. It cannot be otherwise. Soul-winning may open up old hurts and tell how we got the scars. In the recipient, it often evokes the same.

My wife, being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, will sometimes ask a stranger, “What could I pray for you?” This simple question has prompted ladies to open up or emotionally melt—even burst into tears.  Sometimes evangelism cries and weeps, not restraining the tears.

Of course, not every conversation releases all these emotions. The soul-winner pours out his breaking heart in intercession before he ever meets the one with whom he shares his faith. The heart of a soul-winner cries out to God like Praying John Hyde of India, “Give me souls, or I die!” Then in conversation with a hungry heart, distilled love is poured out in a cascade of truth and emotion on a receiving man or woman, boy or girl.

People need closure. To bring issues to the surface and then leave a person spiritually or emotionally dangling demonstrates immaturity or ineptness on the part of the witness. The Holy Spirit will often prompt a soul-winner to pray gently with a needy person for salvation or healing.

But that’s a topic for another day. For now, let’s humble ourselves. Let’s be willing to take off our protective layers and gently bare our souls in front of some who hurt.