The Spiritual Man

I read this book (actually it is three volumes) 25 years ago at one of the most difficult times of my life. It took a year to read. No one seemed able to help me at the time. Volume 3 gave me insight I needed. It explained how I had fallen into wrong thinking (even though well-intended) and what i needed to do to get out of the situation, renew my mind and get back to my normal state. It even explained that a certain bible passage (Phil 2:13), which when misinterpreted a certain way causes certain problems like I had. And sure enough, i misinterpreted that passage that way. Nee said when a person goes through these tough times and is renewed, they are stronger in the end than they were in the beginning. And that is what happened with me. My copy of this book is well worn. Best book I have read, next to the Bible.

I wish all the "Christian" churches of born-again believers taught according to Mr. Nee. - everything begins to clarify and make me feel more grounded in the Lord as I read Mr. Nee.For several years I've done a lot of daily Bible study with Joyce Meyer resources (in addition to others). Joyce has so very rarely mentioned any other teacher, most certainly not giving any suggestion of who she studied. (Her story is such that God had her stop working to prepare for the ministry, and she couldn't afford University degree so she went to the "school of the Holy Spirit.") But twice in all the CD's I have heard in the last 5 years she has mentioned Watchman Nee, so she definitely aroused my curiosity - who is this Chinese man who is so much more direct than Joyce? I began with The Normal Christian Life, which is his good friend's compilation of transcribed sermons, approved by Mr. Nee as he sat jailed. This one (actually printed as 3 books by some publishers) is the ONLY book Mr. Nee wrote, and begrudgingly so; if you read his Preface you will find many other tidbits including instructions how best to benefit from the reading. As I read more of Mr. Nee I can clearly see how much he taught Joyce - she admits that her own church did not speak on topics such as these. - and that these teachings make the most spiritual sense of anything I have ever heard.

I am fast becoming a Watchman Nee devotee. I love his logic, reasoning, biblical application of principles, and keen insights into the Christian lifestyle. This book was first published as three separate books but now you can get it paperback--3 in one! More than 700 pages in length, but don't let that scare you. The style of writing is concise, clear, and without embellishment or distortion. This is one of the few books written by Watchman Nee himself. In a way, it is his soul's journey into greater peace, power, and victory over all that hinders every sincere Christian. Wonderfully transparent. A book you will treasure now and re-read throughout the years. Potent, powerful, engaging!

This is one of those books that you need to be prepared to place yourself in a quiet and committed time to read - and once you start you'll want to anyways. It is very deep, beyond the likes of C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity in which if you liked C.S. Lewis you will love Watchman Nee. It is either going to open your eyes to a whole new level of spiritual thinking and awareness and/or confirm what you have been feeling and thinking all along but could never put it to words. I would say it is not a book for an "unbeliever" as the shedding light into the division of body-soul-spirit may be to much to handle and/or comprehend. It takes being aware of the spirit, even better so being in the spirit to read something like this that is surely from the spirit. If you want to understand how Jesus was the perfect human via operating completely in the spirit and meshed with Gods Holy Spirit this is also for you. It helps to understand how to walk in the way Jesus did yet know why we will never obtain it completely as he did in this carnal life. If you have accepted Christ than the instant forgiveness of sins has already occurred - now it is time to fully regenerate in growth of the spirit. Amazing read!

Only caveat to this review is I am only half way thru the 3 volume set sold here on Amazon in one book as The Spiritual Man. This book has made me an avid follower of Mr. Nee's work. Thankfully he, or his listeners at his many lectures, took voluminous notes-enabling the compilation of his many books. (According to Wikipedia he did not compose these the way most authors do.) I plan to buy all of his books and have never said that about any author, like I feel about Mr. Nee's work. (Many authors I have bought for the pleasure, Mr. Nee's I will buy all for my great need for his insights.) Mr. Nee is a huge blessing to God's children. I am forever thankful. This book has been a Godsend to me. Every Christian needs his works. God's first rules of his very holy thumb is HAVE FAITH and BELIEVE and SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES DAILY - it is only when you have done all 3 of these things that HE will begin to reward you with understanding. It is so simple, yet we are even more simple-minded as to look at all these history books that deceive in every imaginable way, to destroy faith. Don't bother with them, movies, tv, books - Satan deceived the whole world in Revelation (and we are almost there.) Whether those authors, historians, tv producers as well as NUMEROUS thrologians are lying on purpose or not, it doesn't matter. God's word is true, it just may take many, many readings for us to put all that together to get to the point of understanding just how true. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES incouding the ones spoken of in them like Enoch and Maccabees and much more. As to this book, look inside this title to see the contents by clicking on the book, there should be a "look inside" option. All I can say is it is extraordinary especially in understanding spiritual warfare. One of the gems so far Mr. Nee writes of - is how destructive self-analysis is to the spiritual life. Please read this book to understand this. It is so true. Only God can change us for the better, Satan can remove or input demons to improve performance in ways that increase vanity & more un-Godly ways. God can HEAL your heart to its core overnight. I pray everyone who reads this book finds it as wonderfully helpful as I did. God bless you, all believers.Thank God for Watchman Nee.

One of the most powerful christian bookks I have ever read! Still do not understand why it's not a best seller. Watchman Nee is like a modern day apostle Paul....deep revelations about the Spirit, Soul and Body! Been a christian many years but God used this book to deliver me and open my eyes to things I never knew or could not admit about myself.The teaching in this book creates the ultimate foundation for a fruitful walk with the Lord, how to avoid the pitfalls of the tactics of the enemy seeking to use our flesh and soul and spiritual warfare

This highly comprehensive book is addressing all parts of a human being i.e. body, soul, spirit and exposes how wicked men's ways are and how deep we need to be crucified with Christ in everything that belongs to our own thoughts, feelings, desires, emotions, opinions in order to live a life led by the spirit (how it was intended to be in Eden)Every christian that sincerely needs to grow in Christ and to live a life that will please Him, will fully benefit from the revelations found in this book.Yes, the formatting may not be the best, I myself have bought a 3 Volume version of this book published by the Living Stream Ministry, but the contents of this book will turn your life around. This is the second time I'm reading it and always I come back to various sections where I am struggling in my daily walk.

This is truly a remarkable book. Considering that Watchman Nee was only 10years a Christian when he wrote it his spiritual understanding for one so young in the faith could only have been God given.I originally purchased the book to gain greater insight into how the spirit, soul and body interacts with God and other spiritual forces. The book more than answers these questions and raises many others. This is not an easy read as it is profoundly challenging. If you are willing to have your darker side revealed and by God's grace allow Him to heal and change you, you will be blessed.In a nutshell it is reminiscent of the title of M Scott-Pecks book 'The Road Less Travelled'. The Spiritual Man is another of those narrow roads; often difficult and lonely but there is light at the end of the tunnel if you are willing to press on - the choice is yours. Chris L

Some theologians consider W Nee to be as deep in interpreting the Scripture as Paul. I think this is his masterpiece.It's a very profound book, thus I wouldn't recommend it to those who are not familiar with Nee's vovabulary or who are newly-converted christians.On the other side, I would definitely recommend it to whoever it hungry to live the type of life the New Testament is really talking about.The book is split in 3 main parts: Body, Soul and Spirit. Nee describes each of them from a 'natural' perspective and also from a scriptural perspective. The argument is that all 3 parts need to be transformed radically in order to reach God's standard for us. Deeply based on the Bible, Nee leads the way to reaching this.

There is a spiritual battle within us between the Spirit and the flesh in our soul. This book explains it all very hard read, can only be read slowly to get the full meaning of the battle going on within us Christians.Worth every penny, just don't be in a hurry to finish it, take your time.