The Release of the Spirit • 10 (Two Very Different Ways)

Watchman Nee begins Chapter Ten by contrasting two different methods intended for spiritual edification: 1) An outward training in doctrine and exposition, which would amount to gaining head knowledge. 2) God’s intended method for edification, which is spirit touching spirit. (89) While Nee obviously elevates spirit to spirit contact over the simple act of gaining head knowledge, his biography shows an appreciation for education. He graduated from college, and even though he had no formal theological education, he was self-taught, having studied over 3,000 books.

Nee speaks of a deeper communion between believers, a spiritual fellowship in which spirit touches spirit. This is only possible between those whose outer persons have been broken. According to Nee, this is the Bible’s deep calling to deep (Psalm 42:7).

The writer examines two final issues by way of question and answer:

Q: While we are still unbroken, but beginning to recognize fleshly activity, should we try in our own strength to put a stop to such activity?

A: It is always right to put a stop to fleshly activity such as pride or temper, but in doing so one should not profess to be broken. That would be counterfeit. We must allow God to finish the work within us BEFORE we can expect the evidence of this to be manifest without. (93)

Q: Is there a difference between natural gentleness and the gentleness that comes through discipline?

A: Natural gentleness is not under the spirit’s control. Nee gives us the example of a naturally gentle person, whom the Lord calls to speak out strongly against sinful activity. That person’s natural gentleness may not allow him to do as he has been prompted because it is not under the spirit’s control. Anything that is natural has its own will and is independent of the spirit. (93)

Along with the Introduction, we have now looked at ten chapters. Did any of them (or maybe just a single concept) stand out as being particularly meaningful to you? I’ll share my answer to that question next week in Release of the Spirit (Summary and Conclusions).