“A true witness delivereth souls,” according to Prov 14:25.  It will help us to understand and apply this verse to our lives if we will consider the various definitions of “true” that are compatible with this verse.  

A true witness is:

Properly so called – he’s properly so called a witness because he truly witnesses.  We all have the power of the Holy Spirit in us to witness [Acts 1:8], but we don’t all witness.  We are all witnesses because we have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ and because we have a testimony of salvation.  But a true witness is one who actually witnesses.  If you will yield to the Holy Spirit and tell your story of salvation when he leads you, and preach the gospel when he prompts you, you will be a true witness.

Steadfast, Loyal – like a true friend.  The Lord can count on a true witness to witness.  We have people in our church who pray and ask the Lord to whom they should witness and what they should say.  The Lord directs them to certain scriptures for certain people at certain times.  He knows he can count on them to witness.  He will do the same for you.  Furthermore, always go out with tracts and New Testaments ready so that you can give them to people you meet throughout the day.  No matter the person or the circumstances, you’ll deliver the message.

Honest, Truthful – when a true witness witnesses, he tells the absolute truth.  And the truth is what will deliver the soul.  Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  Jehovah’s witnesses are deceitful witnesses [Prov 14:25].  Nevertheless, they are witnesses and they are very persistent.  When you are prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak with a friend, acquaintance, co-worker, or family member, don’t be afraid to tell them the truth.  Yes, of course, the truth hurts, sometimes.  But it is the truth that will make them free.  So, be truthful.

Legitimate, Rightful – David was the true king; not Absalom.  You should be a true witness.  Some soul winners are in it for themselves.  They go “soul winning” to maintain their reputation or for the cause of their ministry.  They aren’t so much led by the Holy Spirit as they are motivated by their ambition.  Don’t get me wrong.  Some of the high production guys are for real.  But some are not.  Don’t let these guys intimidate you.  You don’t have to be one of them to be a legitimate witness.  You simply need to witness when the Lord tells you to witness, to the people to whom he wants you to witness, with the message he wants you to preach. 

Conclusion: if each day you prepare yourself to be used by the Lord to be a true witness, the Lord will use you.  You might think that he should use someone else “better” than you.  That’s not true.  Many times, you are going to be the very best person he can use to witness.  So, be a true witness for the Lord.