Page 258 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

FITCHES - FLATTERY

FISHING AND SOUL WINNING: Jesus Christ Himself obstacles and frustrations: objects in the water, wind
used fishing as an illustration of evangelism, and there and rain and cold and heat, glare, rust, lost tackle, lost
can be no doubt that the parallels between the two are fish, lost time, mud and grime, trash fish, dull hooks,
remarkable and educational. Of course, the fishing done broken line, motors that won’t start, boats that leak, fish
by the disciples was commercial net fishing, but in the that won’t bite! A similar list can be made pertaining to
following study I have compared modern sport fishing the obstacles and frustrations of soulwinning: doors
to soul winning: slammed in one’s face, people that don’t want to hear,
(1) As with fishing, success in soul winning is based on miscommunication, wrong preconceptions, dogs,
three key ingredients: knowledge (Ac. 8), persistence and worldly distractions, fear, demonic interference, false
dedication (2 Co. 11:23-27; 2 Ti. 2:3), and God’s teachers, discouragement, bad experiences, loneliness,
blessing (1 Co. 3:7). The fisherman must understand spiritual oppression. Neither of these occupations are
many things: fish, water, structure, wind, tides, weather, easy.
thermo clines, seasons, regulations, boats, motors, rods, (5) Fish have different ways of biting, and people also
reels, line, hooks, lures, flies, trolling, plunking, still respond in different ways to the Gospel. Some bite hard
fishing, fly fishing, downriggers, shorelines, rivers, (salmon, bass, the Philippian jailer—Ac. 16:29-33).
lakes, streams, oceans. The soulwinner, too, must know Some have a medium take (walleye, the Bereans—Ac.
many things: The Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the 17:10-11, certain Athenians—Ac. 17:34). Some have a
Bible, the Gospel, human nature, language, culture. The faint take (crappie, trout, Nicodemus—Jn. 3:1; 19:39,
fisherman must also be very persistent. My grandfather, Lydia—Ac. 16:14-15).
with whom I often went bass fishing as a boy, often said (6) The great motivation that keeps both the fisherman
to me, “Son, you must keep your line in the water if you and the soulwinner plugging away is the joy of the catch.
want to catch fish.” The counsel was needed because I It makes all the difficulties worthwhile (Lk. 15:7). [See
goofed off a lot! The fisherman must be willing to Angle, Drag, Gospel, Great Commission.]
endure difficulties and unpleasantries. He must FITCHES. (1) A species of grain resembling wheat
sometimes rise up long before dawn, travel long with shorn ears (Eze. 4:9). The same word is in Ex. 9:32
distances, tolerate inclement weather, suffer being wet, and Is. 28:25, translated “rye.” (2) Black cummin (Is.
cold, tired, and dirty; he must be willing to spend his 28:25-27). This is doubtless the nigella sativa. Its small
hard earned money. The soul winner, too, must be black seeds are aromatic, and are used as a condiment
persistent; he must give out the Gospel on every hand and a medicine. The prophet says they are beaten out
and by every means; he must endure hardness as a good with a rod (Concise).
soldier of Jesus Christ if he wants to catch men. In the
final analysis, though, in both fishing and soul winning, FLAG. A reed or bulrush which grows along river
we are dependent upon God for success. If He doesn’t banks (Ex. 2:3, 5; Job 8:11; Is. 19:6).
bless, the best fishermen in the world can toil all night FLAGON. (1) A cake of grapes (2 Sa. 6:19). (2) A
in vain (Lk. 5:5), as can the best soul winner. container for wine; large bottle or flask (Is. 22:24).
(2) Though there are many similarities among fish, FLATTERY. Insincere praise used to further one’s
there are also different kinds of fish, and there are selfish purposes (Job 32:21, 22; Pr. 28:23; 1 Th. 2:5).
different techniques and approaches for each. This is also “To please a person by applause or favorable notice, by
true for men; though they have the same basic nature respectful attention, or by anything that exalts him in
and spiritual needs, there are great differences as well; his own estimation, or confirms his good opinion of
and they must be dealt with individually (Mt. 13:19-23; himself” (Webster). Flattery is contrasted with sincere
Jude 22-23). Fishing for trout is entirely different from praise and thankfulness (Ro. 16:1-16; 1 Th. 1:2). The
fishing for catfish or panfish or salmon. Each fishery is wickedness of flattery: Ps. 5:9; 36:2; 78:36; Pr. 2:16;
different, and the same is true for fishing for men. Jesus 7:7, 21. Warnings to avoid flatterers: Pr. 20:19; 26:28;
approached Nicodemus one way (Jn. 3), the Samaritan 29:5. Examples of flattery: 1 Ki. 22:11, 12; Pr. 2:16;
woman another way (Jn. 4), and the Pharisees yet 6:24; 7:5, 21; Da. 6:6, 7; 11:21, 32, 34; Mt. 22:16; Ac.
another way (Mt. 23). 12:22. God’s judgment of flattery: Job 17:5; 32:21, 22;
(3) The best way to learn fishing is from experienced Ps. 12:2, 3. Flattery practiced by false teachers: Ro.
fishermen, and the best way to learn soul winning is from 16:17, 18; Ga. 4:17; 2 Pe. 2:1-3. [See Beguile, Cunning,
experienced soul winners (2 Ti. 2:2). Cunning Craftiness, Deceit, Dissemble, Dissimulation,
Doubletongued, Entice, False Teaching, Feign, Flattering
(4) Fishing is not easy, and neither is soul winning. Titles, Hypocrisy, Sleight, Subtil, Unfeigned, Winketh,
The fish don’t want to be caught. The fish don’t Worship.]
necessarily feed on a schedule convenient to fishermen.
Older fish are more difficult to catch. There are many

258 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity