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

by Watchman Nee

Every Christian who has believed into Christ and received Him has a desire to grow in Him. The greatest hindrances to the experience of the growth in life are not outward circumstances and environmental hardships; rather, they are a mind in need of renewing, a will in need of submission to God, and an emotion in need of stability. In The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit Watchman Nee provides a clear picture of the need for the breaking of the outer man so that the life of Christ in our spirit can flow out as rivers of living water to refresh and build up the people of God. In a new and revised translation of this spiritual classic, Watchman Nee provides crucial insight into the biblical revelation of the necessity of the dividing of our soul from our spirit.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Faith, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Theology

91 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1950

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

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically this is a doctrine of new creature. The author divide ourself between outer man and inner man. Outer man must be destroyed first before inner man could find freedom, and this is only could be done by the works of Holy Spirit.
This is a brethren study material.

[Katrin V · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is hard to tell whether my issues with this book lie in the author or his translator, but I have grave issues with his view that all that comes to us is sent by God to break the outer man. There is a big difference in that view and "God will use every circumstance for good in our lives." For that reason alone this volume is going in the recycling to avoid changing someone's image of God into something I feel almost blasphemous.

Having said that, there are many things I agree with in this little book. His observation of the process of sanctification (perhaps the step by step breaking of the outer man he talks of) is accurate.

This is the second time I read this book out of respect for a friend. It was easier to read this time, but I am not inclined to reach for more Mr. Nee.

[Damson]

This book deals with the serious side of Christianity. It deals with selflessness and loving God and others more than yourself. Talking of body, soul and spirit, the ideas are challenging and deal with issues of maturity and depth in the Christian faith. The miraculous work of the Holy Spirit is defined and discussed. If you need an antidote to the lies which saturate the greedy, selfish prosperity gospel of today read this, and anything else by Nee. I highly recommend this book.

[Nalinee Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to re-read so many passages, because it was too deep for my shallow understanding. Best read with reference to the bible because some of the analogies can be easily misconstrued. But definitely a must read for any student of ministry.

[Samantha McEnhimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Really stretched me. A perfect read for every serious adult Christian.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, watchman nee. I can tell I’ll be reading all his books and he’ll be one of my most quoted writers. fascinating concept of breaking the outer man so the Spirit can be released. he is clearly a very Spirit-filled and Spirit-led author.

this book put into so many words things I’d been experiencing last few years but didn’t know was the common experience of the “discipline of the Holy Spirit” as he calls it. super affirming. chapters 3-5 especially resonated– things in the hands, how to know men, the church and work of God. but truly every chapter was powerful and life-giving.

lots of personal revelations/prayers/reflections also bounced off from this book. perfect airplane read

“there are too many things in us that cannot go into eternity, and these must all be torn down.”

[NIGEL PEARCE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A masterful and beautiful reading of releasing our Inner Spirit. In ministry or not everyone should experience the breaking of the flesh and the release of the spirit! The death and burial of our outer person so that resurrection and ascension of the inner Spirit can occur!

You cannot have the Cross before Good Friday. If you are not emptied out at His feet Like Mary and ready to forsake all, then we are missing the true power and RELEASE OF THE SPIRIT! The Outer person must be broken open before the inner Spirit can manifest itself and find the freedom to fragrance the air. This path laid out by Watchman Nee to servanthood is an incredible journey to the Cross and to Resurrection!

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was very hard to read. At times I think the author was just trying to make his research fit what he was trying to say. Most of the time he was redundant. Not a book I would recommend using your time to read.

[Sylvester Ogochukwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one of the best by watchman nee. It's spiritually satisfying and demanding. He exposes the demand by God for all who seeks to be used by Him. We can't be useful when we are restricting him. God's intention is to give an opening to our spirit by dismantling our outer man.

[Lilo Xu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our outer man needs to be broken under the working of the Holy Spirit so that the Spirit within us can be released and our inner man can be strong! Our whole being will then be under the control and guidance of the Holy Spirit to carry out His work

[sherrybrown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very beneficial to maturity in Christ. Really enjoyed reading this book.

[Yeremia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I got to read this! The book is fantastic and has really strengthened my faith.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

感谢赞美主！主啊，我们人是何等的复杂，甚至在传福音、供应话语的事上都是满了灵与魂的混杂。感谢主给我们如此的亮光，叫我我们有一条照着神心意的路可走。最近一些在牧养的事上总有这样的纠结，但感谢主，神的话是活的，是有功效的！比一切两刃的剑更锋利，能以刺入甚至拨开魂与灵。主啊，我愿灵得释放，愿你在我身上得自由！

[Maddie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good one to read before the fast

[John Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is altogether a poor translation, but the message is still legible. Unlike "The Normal Christian Life" Watchman Nee's message here is more of a teaching than a presenting of the gospel. He explains how the flesh and the soul hinder our spirits from being evident in our walk with Christ. The only actions he suggests for speeding up the process of this breaking is praying to God for deliverance.

This work is definately as thought and decision provoking as I believed it would be, considering the title and the author.

[Peggy Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really impressed with brother Nee's writings, and was greatly helped by this book. Though I was new to the church life at the time and didn't know much about my spirit, I was so happy to share the content with people around me. He helped me realize why the Lord allowed many things to happen, not only to discipline the ones He loves, but also for our inner man to be renewed and the spirit to be released. What a great vision. I loved this book and it definitely worth reading again and again.

[Michele]

This book is another level. Led by The Holy Spirit, this book will open up your spirit to new Revelation, Understanding and Application! Without the impartation of such, one will never truly walk on the narrow path in which we are all called too. This book is one that you will pick up, time after time. God bless!

[Triumphant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The outer man must be broken before the inner man can find freedom. This is the fundamental path that a servant of the Lord must learn to take.
~Watchman Nee

God is more than ready to use us for his glory but are we fully ready to surrender it all to him? Watchman Nee explains that the ONLY true way to be a vessel of honor is to go through the purging. Are you ready?

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful. I'm thankful to God for this timely book in my life. Watchman Nee's use and awareness of Scripture was refreshing.

[Leslie Yong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. Highly recommended for seeking a break- through in our Christian walk.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Would recommend for understanding the spirit and how the outer man affects our growth with the Lord. The problem is not with our spirit, but rather with our outer man not being broken.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still taking it all in. Though the translation is a bit clumsy, I will reread this book periodically. Read this in my Bible study so I'm grateful I had intelligent people to help me process it.

[Heloisa Heng · Rating 5 out of 5]

To free the inner man the outer man must be broken. The outer man is the hindrance for God to carry out His work through us.