The Holy Spirit and Reality

by Watchman Nee

In The Holy Spirit and Reality Watchman Nee speaks of the believers' need to advance from outward practices to a genuine, spiritual living that is centered on knowing and experiencing the Holy Spirit.

53 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

About the author

Watchman Nee (Chinese: 倪柝聲; pinyin: Ní Tuòshēng; Foochow Romanized: Ngà̤ Táuk-sĭng; 1903–1972) was a Chinese Christian author and church leader during the early 20th century. He spent the last 20 years of his life in prison and was severely persecuted by the Communists in China. Together with Wangzai, Zhou-An Lee, Shang-Jie Song, and others, Nee founded The Church Assembly Hall, later which would be also known as the "Local churches" (Chinese: 地方教會). or more commonly as (聚會所) meaning "assembly hall"

Born into a Methodist family, Watchman Nee experienced a religious revival, and joined the Church of Heavenly Peace, Fuzhou in 1920 at age 17 and began writing in the same year. In 1921, he met the British missionary M. E. Barber, who was a great influence on him. Through Miss Barber, Nee was introduced to many of the Christian writings which were to have a profound influence on him and his teachings. Nee attended no theological schools or Bible institutes. His knowledge was acquired through studying the Bible and reading various Christian spiritual books. During his 30 years of ministry, beginning in 1922, Nee traveled throughout China planting churches among the rural communities and holding Christian conferences and trainings in Shanghai. In 1952 he was imprisoned for his faith; he remained in prison until his death in 1972.

Reviews

[Christopher Lewis Kozoriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Holy Spirit is the Executor of all spiritual things." (Watchman Nee, The Holy Spirit and Reality, Page 16)

I was a little apprehensive about reading this book, as the title kind of sounded funny. 'The Holy Spirit and Reality?' I thought to myself. What does reality have to do with the Holy Spirit? And Why would someone write a book about this subject? So, I started reading this book with some suspicion and made sure my discernment antenna's were up.

The word "truth" in the Greek means "corresponding to reality". I had to look this up in a Strong's Concordance. This is not defined in this book; therefore, I received confirmation that what this author is really talking about is about the Holy Spirit and Truth (Reality).

Basically, you can take most words in the Bible that use the word "Truth" and replace it with the word "Reality". For example, "The Law came by Moses, but grace and reality came by Jesus Christ" (See John 1:17).

This book was very interesting and I took some time to go online and study about the author of this work as well. He was a minister in China before communism, but when communism was starting in China he was locked up in prison and falsely accused of crimes.

The book is about aligning yourself with the Word of God and being led by the Holy Spirit. Over and over again, he advises that the key to reality is not to study doctrine after doctrine, but to align with God and His Word through the Holy Spirit.

At the end of the book there is some messages by the author on lying and obsession. Basically, if you tell someone something that is not the truth and you know it is not the truth, you are lying. But, if you tell a lie and you believe it to be the truth, you are obsessed.

[Israel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A believer can only access the riches of God when he receives spiritual truth and walks in Spiritual reality.

Spiritual realities exists whether we believe them, see them or acknowledge them.

Insightful book.

[Todd Coburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great little book from Watchman Née on the Holy Spirit and Reality.