“Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.”

If you’ve never gone fishing, you probably haven’t had this feeling or thought cross your mind. But perhaps you have considered, “If I would have just talked to that one classmate or friend about Jesus, what could’ve happened?” But as another fisherman once said, “He who wants to catch fish must not mind getting wet.” It takes work and sometimes inconvenience to reach the lost. Jesus said in Mark 1:17 and Matthew 4:19, “Follow me, and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men.” It’s not a chance, it’s a certainty. If I’m not becoming a fisher of men, I’m not following Jesus.

So here are 5 tips that we can learn from fisherman that help us to become better fishers of men.

1. Keep your hooks sharp(Mike Laconelli)
   1. The Word of God has to be a sharp sword in our hearts. Studying the Word of God will enable me to be instant in season and out of season when we talk about Jesus with others. Start a bible reading plan with a friend or leader to help you stay accountable!
      1. Hebrews 4:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

• 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2. Look at your livewell water– “What the fish will spit up will reveal what they’re feeding on.” (Matt Heren)
   1. A livewell is the container inside the boat that holds the fish once they’re caught. Fish will begin to spit out their food after awhile and this will help the fishermen to know what to use as bait. So what does that mean? Be a listener! Before we talk to people about Jesus, oftentimes if we started a simple, engaging conversation with them, people will let us know about what’s going on in their lives, and we can use this information to bring Jesus into the conversation.
      1. Luke 6:45 New King James Version (NKJV)

• 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil [a]treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

3. Face the wind(Ish Monroe)
   1. Fishermen face the wind oftentimes because the current will push fish toward them. This means that when we talk to people about Jesus we must give attention to the direction of the Spirit in the conversation. This takes much practice, but God wants to use us in the gifts of the Spirit when witness and reach the lost.
      1. John 1:46-48 New King James Version (NKJV)

• 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

4. Make your bait seasonal– “Fish will bite as much out of irritation with the lure as they will out of hunger.” (Mike Hawkes, Jay Yelas)
   1. Be timely and strategic. Even if someone doesn’t seem to be interested in Jesus in one phase of life, talking to them about what’s important to them can open the door for a spiritual conversation. Later on, as a continued relationship develops, an opportunity can present itself to introduce more spiritual, Jesus-involved conversations.
      1. Matthew 10:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

• 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[a] as doves.

5. Fish before the storm– “If it’s too pretty out, the fish won’t likely bite.” (Forrest Wood)
   1. Fish oftentimes feed at the surface before a storm. Therefore, pressure in people’s lives presents an opportunity to share/demonstrate Jesus. There are people who say things like, “I don’t need Jesus, my life is good.” Much like #4, adverse situations allow us to bring Jesus to people so that something great can be done in their lives. Remember, God wants to use you to work miracles!
      1. Mark 5:21-24 New King James Version (NKJV)

• 21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

Follow Jesus and become fishers of men!

Hector Robles hosts a podcast and bible study channel by the name of Sparrow.Podcast. On a weekly basis, you can find new content regarding the Bible and ministry. He lives and works as an engineer in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Savannah and they gladly serve at Calvary Apostolic Church.

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