Customer Reviews

The Release of the Spirit

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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.

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!

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!

Reading is one of my favorite things to do, and I have read many Christian books over the years. The Bible is number one with me, but my next favorite book is The Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee. I first read it many years ago, and still it stays with me. The book makes it easier to understand why Christians go through many difficulties and much suffering. This book will help you to be an overcomer day by day.

Do you want to go deeper in your walk with Christ? Whether you are a college student or have been walking with God for 50 years, Watchman Nee's early century work is still relevant today. This book is the best book I have ever read, offering practical ways to experience the life of Christ each day in your life. As you read, pray that Christ empowers you to let the Spirit be released in your life.

I got into this book by accident while sleeping over at a friends house but once i started i continued until i was finished. There is such potency i allowed about two weeks to read it. If you are looking for a ho hum book to keep your mind enchanted this is not the book for you. If you are looking for something to stimulate your spirit and progress you in your walk well then dont waste any more time reading my simple words. The only reason im here is to purchase another one of his books.

Great book on how to a-line your soul and body (flesh) under the direction/guidance of your spirit! Every Christian NEEDS this book to show them how to live a truly Godly life--one that's full of peace, love, joy etc.. because the Holy Spirit is in control of their life/actions, not their own mind, will and emotions! It's very "deep" and heavy, but well worth the effort! I would recommend this to anyone! God Bless and Enjoy!

Watchman Nee provides a life changing resource for today's Christians who are going through the motions but have to admit they aren't finding the Life and power that Jesus promised. Nee shows us how to quit fighting the release of the SPIRIT and to embrace it.

An amazing book if you want to grow to spiritual maturity. Others have described the book better that I could ever do.

I read a lot of books. This book is different in one very amazing way. I first read it at age 17. And at age 46, I've read it about 20 times. Every time, I remember reading these things but they don't mean what I thought they meant the last time I read it. Very much like my life the challenges are similar but the lessons learned are new.

It's also the one book I keep giving away.

The author (Watchman Nee) is blessed with wisdom and understanding. The Lord has truly endowed him. His personal experiences with the living God are shared and nothing, I mean nothing is left uncovered! Getting to the core of our character traits and defects molests the mind to reveal the heart. O, how the Lord has quickened His Spirit to illuminate and reveal so much to this man's spirit. Truth is at the center of The Release of the Spirit and God Almighty has His ways of revealing it. Come, read what the Spirit says to YOU through this book...