Customer Reviews

The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike some people who lived it before they read it, or read it and never lived it, I had the good fortune to not have a clue about what Watchman Nee was talking about, and then finally seeing the picture for myself.

When I first started reading the book, I thought that he was just speaking out of his head. After all you don't really hear anybody speaking about this sort of thing now a days do you? Of course you don't, because a lot of ministers out there today, haven't been through the type of breaking that Watchman Nee describes in the book.

Myself among them at the time, I decided to just get it over and skim through it. And once I had left it alone, and the Lord began to work, dealing with me on some major issues, I learned that it was not my effort that counted, it was my openess to the Lord to be used as He desired.

And until I came to that point, as watchman Nee goes over in the book, of either opening up to the Lord, or being broken, I couldn't be used to do any ministry of real spiritual value. It took actually living the lesson for me to really appreciate how right on he was in this book.

Maybe when you get this book you will be like I was and think he's spouting from his mind. But let me tell you if you will accept it and ask the Holy Spirit to help you live it, it will change your life, in ministry, in relationships, and everything else. That is why I give it five stars. Not because I think it's the most well written book, but because I know from experience that what he talks about is true. And I pray that you get that revelation too.

In His Love,

RJJ

After reading Watchman Nee's excellent book "Release of the Spirit" published by Christian Fellowship Publishers, I began searching for a copy to give to a friend. I found "The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit" which I thought was only repackaged and retitled edition, but upon examination I discovered that it is in fact a quite substantial retranslation of the original work by a different publishing house.

To me, this new edition has not captured the clarity, directness and frankness I found in "Release of the Spirit", and while it may be intended to soften the blow or make the text more reader friendly I find the basic message to be obscured in this new edition. Also, this new edition omits the diagram found in the introduction to "Release of the Spirit" which is so helpful and a key to the entire book.

This is a critical book for every seeker of the Lord Jesus Christ. A lot of times we have our own agenda with God - what we want God to do for us. But the Lord's desire needs to overcome our fallen desire in order for Him to accomplsh His plan in us. This book shows, among other things, that God needs to overcome (break) our desires, plan, wants, needs, everything that is sourced in us, in order to fill us with Himself and and that we become an expression of Him. Hallelujah! Definitely a must read!

I first read this book almost 20 years ago as a young christian and found it very helpful and very good. I have read it and taught from it and it is one of those great books to reveal the true reality of our life and walk in God. Watchman brings forth the key, the struggle that all of us face needing to be broken before God so that we can walk by the spirit.

Nee unfolds the secret that sorts the mature from the immature in Christ: simply the breaking of the outer man. Having gone through what Nee describes in this book, I now see from the perspective Nee describes should be essential for all Christians.

If you want to know why you are not fruitful in your life as a Christian God can use Nee's work here to reveal what you must do to be fruitful for His glory.

It's a small book that God used in my life to do BIG things.

Nowadays, few Christians prefer to talk about the truth of the Cross, the center of our Lord's life. Many christians are content with worldly comforts and shallow understanding of Bible. With a life testifying to the Lord's truth and love, Watchman Nee is one of the most important servants of the Lord in the past few centuries.

I totally agree with a previous review which says " you have to live it to appreciate it". This is the book for those Christians who are ready to overcome in their lives in this world!

In His Grace

Paul Yang

I cannot emphasize how deeply this book has helped me. Many books are spiritual yet seemingly unattainable; this one is deep yet practical. I had read it once before and re-read it again as my mother was going through cancer. I still like reading it. Years ago I was semi-confused that someone told me of a verse that "those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines". This book though helped me realize that the Lord just wants to enlarge our heart, our capacity, if only we let Him. God gave us a free will and He never wants us to suffer, however it is our unwilling heart, that's causing our suffering. If we just open to Him, for He is the true peace, true healing and comfort, our suffering would be overcome. I can truly testify that even as my mom lay bedridden, we enjoyed the Lord's blessing and outpouring of love simply because we let Him break our outer man, and His blessing flow through us. Every person with whom I shared this book has been blessed, as if a huge burden had been lifted because now they know how to practically experience the sweet flow of the Spirit: by opening to the Lord in every way. A must-read.

All of Watchman's book are a must read, but this really breaks down how we must be broken of our outer man so that Holy Spirit can fully reign as our life

Nee explains the purpose of the cross is to break your flesh and soul so that your spirit which is mixed with the Holy Spirit, will be released. It is like a flower that is crushed so that the sweet smelling scent of the flower may be enjoyed. One must experience the breaking or this book will be meaningless to the reader.

I first read this book almost 20 years ago as a young christian and found it very helpful and very good. I have read it and taught from it and it is one of those great books to reveal the true reality of our life and walk in God. Watchman brings forth the key, the struggle that all of us face needing to be broken before God so that we can walk by the spirit.