The Release of the Spirit [Paperback]

Watchman Nee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000

Surely this is the hour when the battleground is in the soul. While the Lord is seeking to work through the quickened spirit. Satan is seeking to work throught the natural, soulish life which has not been brought under control of the spriit.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

Lloyd James narrates the profound but simple wisdom of Watchman Nee. The author, who is somewhat controversial, offers an unusual vision of the Christian walk and the need for "brokenness" of the outer man to release the power of the Holy Spirit in the inner man. Native to China and intimate with suffering because of his Christian beliefs, Nee honed his experiences and insights from difficult living and working conditions. James's calm demeanor and soft, clear narration make it seem like one is sitting across the table from Nee as he shares his life-changing concepts and penetrating discernment about the reasons God uses suffering to shape man. This audio release makes an excellent resource, especially for lengthy commutes. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Sure Foundation Publishers (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935008837
• ISBN-13: 978-0935008838
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Pneumatology
  • #13 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > General
  • #93 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > General

More About the Author

Watchman Nee (1903-1972) is remembered for his leadership of an indigenous church movement in China, as well as for his books, which continue to enrich Christians throughout the world. Beginning in the 1930s, Nee helped establish local churches in China that were independent of foreign missionary organizations and were used to bring many into the Kingdom of God. From these roots sprang many of the house churches that continued to meet after Western missionaries were forced to leave the country during the Cultural Revolution. Arrested in 1952 and found guilty of a large number of false charges, Watchman Nee was imprisoned until his death in 1972.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely life-changing book, September 20, 2000

By 

Baltic Books "Vic" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Release of the Spirit (Paperback)

There is a degree of controversy that surrounds Watchman Nee. Don't let that stop you from reading this book.

It had been sitting on my shelf for a long time when the "jury duty" call came. Figuring I'd have a lot of reading time over my week of service, I turned my time into a personal retreat with Watchman Nee. That week marked a dramatic change in my life.

Nee offers probably the very best ever explanation of the parables of the seed sown to "die" and the broken box of perfume. It totally revolutionized my thinking of how the Spirit of God works in us.

Nee shares that our problem is we try to keep the life of the Spirit protected inside us all the while God is trying to shatter the shell to let it escape. It was an incredible concept. For me it changed the way I interacted with people we would normally shy away from. Rather than being places where we need to "shelter" our spiritual life, Nee helped me to realize that is exactly the place a "release of the Spirit" is needed.

That is just one of the nuggets in this volume. If you are drawn to books like "God Chasers" and Dutch Sheets various titles, you will love this one.

This is a book I buy in volume to give away and so should you. It is simply a classic.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watchman Nee--The Release of the Spirit, March 10, 2007

By 

David D. Flowers (The Woodlands, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Release of the Spirit (Paperback)

I hardly know where to begin when attempting to describe to you how life-changing this book truly is for the disciple of Christ. I must tell you that I would not say that about any book. So... you know that this is not just any book. This book unlocks the key to understanding true discipleship and the way by which revolution will first come to man and then to the church.

This book was originally a series of lectures given to Chinese church planters/workers. However, to recommend this book only to a select few would be absurd. This book is for all of those who have made Jesus Lord. The title of the book may be a bit ambiguous. You may be thinking... "What does that mean?" Had Dietrich Bonhoeffer not already used, "The Cost of Discipleship," I believe this would have been an appropriate title.

Scripture teaches us that man is spirit, soul, and body. Nee explains how God created man to join His Spirit with man's spirit (i.e. the center of a man). The spirit is to govern the soul of a man (i.e. thoughts, emotions, will) and then the body. He calls the spirit of a man the "inner man"; the soul--the "outer man"; the body--"the outermost man." Before the inner man is regenerated by the Holy Spirit, a man's spirit is inopperative. His spirit is there, but in fact... it is dead! The soul then tries to function as only the spirit can do. Thus, the soul produces flesh! Man is then a frustrated being.

Nee submits that most Christians live a "mixed" life. The Christian life is to be a Spirit-led and a Spirit-driven life. The Holy Spirit has regenerated the spirit of a man and is to continue to be the power that controls and governs him. However, many Christians allow their soul to interfere with the Spirit's work. Again, this produces flesh! The Spirit is hindered from joining with man's spirit while the soul of a man is not in full submission to the Spirit. (For a better understanding of what this looks like, read Nee's "The Normal Christian Life.")


Nee's "The Release of the Spirit" is about man's soul (i.e. thoughts, emotions, will) being "broken" in order for the Spirit in a man to be "released." He will base his claim on Scripture to prove this point. (e.g. 1 Thess. 5:23; Lk. 1:46; 21:19; 1 Pet. 1:9;22) Jesus said, "He who loves his life (psyche-soul), will lose it." The outer man must be continuously broken before the Spirit is released through a man.

Nee speaks from experience. There is absolutely no way a person can speak on this subject with not having first identified its activity in their own life. Nee wonderfully describes the battle going on in each Christian. Our soul wants to govern, but the Spirit must rule for God to be glorified in us. The only way this can happen... is for you and I to be broken.

Nee's conclusion is this: God has ordered our lives. The hardships, the trials and tribulation have passed through his hands first. They have come to us to break the outer man! Therefore, if you want to be used up... if you want God to get all of you... you must first be crushed! The one who is willing to suffer the most... is the one who will be used the greatest by God. This is the Christian life.

Nee writes, "Only those who have learned some lessons can serve. You may learn ten year's lessons in one year, or you may take twenty or thirty years to learn one year's lessons. ANY DELAY IN LEARNING MEANS A DELAY IN SERVING. If God has put a desire in your heart to serve Him, you should understand what is involved. The way of service lies in brokenness and is connected with your accepting the discipline of the Holy Spirit. The measure of your service is determined by the depth of discipline and brokenness."

I don't know about you... but I would like to learn ten year's lessons in one year. If I must be broken and crushed to be used greatly by the Lord for his glory... then so be it. Christ was bruised and crushed for me. It's the least I can do for him.

This book is Watchman Nee at his best! I will read this book numerous times throughout my life. I recommend reading "The Normal Christian Life" for an even further understanding of the true Christian life. May Christ's church be broken for the release of the Spirit!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, needed work for the Church today, September 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Release of the Spirit (Paperback)

I can honestly say that Watchman Nee's book actually changed the way that I think. My life suddenly took on a new perspective, and I saw with clarity the state of many in the Church today. There is so much hurt, bitterness, and reclusiveness among believers, that it is hard to see any whole Church today. But when we realize that God is trying to work out His purpose in us, our focus turns upward, instead of inward. I think that the Church today is in desperate need of an understanding of biblical brokenness and sacrifice. We are in sad shape, when the normal experience of the early church has become the abnormal and extreme experience today. God help us!