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Spiritual Discernment
Listen to the prayer of the apostle Paul for his beloved church in Philippi: “this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ” (Phil. 1.9-10). What was it that inspired him to offer such a prayer for the dear saints in Philippi? Do we today desperately need the same prayer? We talk about love and fellowship, and yet we encounter many problems and failures. What is the missing link to a glorious church? Can it be the lack of “full knowledge and all perception that ye may prove [or, distinguish] the things that differ” (literal translation)?
Certainly spiritual discernment is the pressing need of today. How can we obtain this full knowledge of God? Where do we get spiritual discernment that we may know the things which differ or are more excellent? These are the matters which brother Watchman Nee tried to address during his latter years of ministry. This present volume, entitled Spiritual Discernment is composed of three parts: Abound in Knowledge, Abound in Discernment, and Approve the Excellent. The Publishers were able to acquire these Notes in Chinese recently, and they have now been translated into English for sharing with the English-speaking saints.
May these Notes help many in meeting the pressing need of today.
Certainly spiritual discernment is the pressing need of today. How can we obtain this full knowledge of God? Where do we get spiritual discernment that we may know the things which differ or are more excellent? These are the matters which brother Watchman Nee tried to address during his latter years of ministry. This present volume, entitled Spiritual Discernment is composed of three parts: Abound in Knowledge, Abound in Discernment, and Approve the Excellent. The Publishers were able to acquire these Notes in Chinese recently, and they have now been translated into English for sharing with the English-speaking saints.
May these Notes help many in meeting the pressing need of today.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2009
192 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Watchman Nee
622 books635 followersWatchman 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 6, 2017
Watchman Nee is full of God's wisdom. I am so thankful for this mighty man of God!
Spiritual Discernment addresses the flesh versus the spirit; works versus rest, etc. Nee talks about abiding in God and walking a spirit-filled life of surrender, humility and love. Nee encourages us to refuse pride, vanity and every form of exaltation of man.
Quote: "The cross is not for giving out things, but for taking things away."
The wisdom in this book runs deep though some beliefs are antiqued and reflect the thinking of Nee's time period. The rich nuggets are worth it, so persevere!
The narrator did a good job reading this audio book though his voice sometimes sounded stilted. A little more expressed emotion would have helped the reading, but the narrator still did a good job. 4 stars
Spiritual Discernment addresses the flesh versus the spirit; works versus rest, etc. Nee talks about abiding in God and walking a spirit-filled life of surrender, humility and love. Nee encourages us to refuse pride, vanity and every form of exaltation of man.
Quote: "The cross is not for giving out things, but for taking things away."
The wisdom in this book runs deep though some beliefs are antiqued and reflect the thinking of Nee's time period. The rich nuggets are worth it, so persevere!
The narrator did a good job reading this audio book though his voice sometimes sounded stilted. A little more expressed emotion would have helped the reading, but the narrator still did a good job. 4 stars
October 19, 2013
I love reading Watchman Nee's stuff. This book has little nuggets all over it. Although not as easy of a format to read as I am used to. There are places where it just seems like his sermon notes or maybe like bullet points he used while giving a sermon. As a result, you are left to expand and connect the dots yourself. But with the rest of the books more flowing chapters this task does not become to difficult. The book focuses on touching the spirit behind a persons words rather than connecting with the words themselves mostly. This allows your spirit to discern rather than your mind to evaluate. Good read!
August 19, 2015
Insightful
Great book! It helped my discernment level to increase a lot more. I look forward to reading more from Watchman Nee.
Great book! It helped my discernment level to increase a lot more. I look forward to reading more from Watchman Nee.
February 20, 2021
No matter the reader, Pastor Nee is like a very close, personal mentor to me. His books bring Jesus and the Gospel actually possible and doable. I believe Lord Jesus is a personal friend, but in today's climate, Christian spirituality seems all the more impossible. He is one of my favorite authors.
November 14, 2016
This is another little book attributed to Watchman Nee, but I believe it is compiled from notes of his followers, and some sections are simply that, bulletized thoughts and highlights. As such, it is an easy read, and also has some gems of insight as does his other work. A very good little book.
November 29, 2025
Spiritual Discernment gave me a deeper and clearer understanding of how to distinguish between the soul, the spirit, and the emotions, especially in the sections where Watchman Nee explains how to tell God’s voice apart from human reaction. The book sharpened my awareness of how real obedience must come from an inward, Spirit-controlled will rather than outward endurance or empty behavior, and I found his examples on spiritual maturity, discipline, and the training of the spirit extremely relevant to my own walk and ministry. Nee nailed the biblical truth in his chapters on spiritual discernment and the training of the spirit, showing how God breaks us down in order to build genuine discernment and how our actions reveal the true condition of our spirit far more than our words do. I gave it four stars instead of five because the opening chapters felt rushed and needed more depth to match the strength of the later sections, but once the book settles in, its clarity is excellent. Overall, it gave me a stronger filter for evaluating inner promptings and helped me see the difference between spiritual leading and emotional impulse, and I would definitely recommend it to believers who want to grow in real biblical discernment.
February 1, 2023
This book has many great and spiritually valuable things to teach about spiritual discernment and being led by the Holy Spirit.
But Chapter 9 of this book in particular I feel is the most valuable to me. It is essentially how Jesus Christ added human flesh human emotion human will and human opinion to the word of God. Whereas prior to that the word of God in the OT was presented merely objective fact. Now the word of God is presented through humans with unique personalities, emotions and styles. Jesus added humanity to the revealed will of God.
But Chapter 9 of this book in particular I feel is the most valuable to me. It is essentially how Jesus Christ added human flesh human emotion human will and human opinion to the word of God. Whereas prior to that the word of God in the OT was presented merely objective fact. Now the word of God is presented through humans with unique personalities, emotions and styles. Jesus added humanity to the revealed will of God.
May 29, 2020
This is one of those books you read slowly, one or two sentences, and then have to pause to take it in. Great study and guideline for the deeper gift of discernment, what it is and isn't, how to tell the difference. Confronts the inherent conflict and issues regarding discernment, with reverence and eternal perspective.
October 25, 2021
Incredibly Powerful Book!
Like “The Spiritual Man” and all of Watchman Nee’s books, this too holds deep truths to many to retain in just one reading. It must be read again and again to explore its depths. I found myself reading and repenting constantly throughout the whole book. It is a book that will awaken you to your true spiritual state.
Like “The Spiritual Man” and all of Watchman Nee’s books, this too holds deep truths to many to retain in just one reading. It must be read again and again to explore its depths. I found myself reading and repenting constantly throughout the whole book. It is a book that will awaken you to your true spiritual state.
March 22, 2022
Great Book..
A great read to understand and know how to operate in discernment. We may discern many things but this book will help you put it into words what you only know by the spirit.
A great read to understand and know how to operate in discernment. We may discern many things but this book will help you put it into words what you only know by the spirit.
July 14, 2023
This book has nothing to do with discernment. It is not worth the time to read it. If you are interested in reading about spiritual discernment, consider Tim Challies excellent work, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment.
December 20, 2018
All his books are great
July 27, 2019
It's a powerful revelation
November 25, 2019
Must read
This book was a hard read for me. But as I pressed through it, I found it very useful in the operation of the gift of discernment.
This book was a hard read for me. But as I pressed through it, I found it very useful in the operation of the gift of discernment.
February 11, 2020
Great insight
Full of knowledge and a great read for those wanted to know God more. I found something to learn with each turn of the page.
Full of knowledge and a great read for those wanted to know God more. I found something to learn with each turn of the page.
December 21, 2024
Some good material but Nee borders very closely on Eastern Mysticism in parts of this work. Discernment indeed needed if reading.
August 1, 2016
Wow what a interesting book.Actually this is my first time of reading Mr Watchman's book.And i am really impressed.The bible tells us in Jeremiah 17 v 9 The heart is deceitful and above all things,And is desperately wicked.Who can know it.Many can quote all the scriptures from the bible,preach you out from your seat in church,talk to you with the voice of angels,charm you with their eloquent command of word's,make you feel pity for them.But this book and the Bible has taught me that,To every emotion,action,word said,thought,desire,no matter how noble the gesture is.There is a SPIRIT behind it.And we will be on the safer side to spend time with God to deal with us,break us in the way it feel's right to the owner of the clay. That we might not be victims of deceit..And spiritual discernment will help us from recognizing that wolf that is covered in sheep's wool or the deceit in a brother,or sister no matter how hard he tries to camouflage his intentions.You will smell his spirit with divine instruments that God will bless you.But remember not to be proud or look down on people when God Elevates us,or we will fall like it was recorded by Jesus in the book of Luke 10 v 18 Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!
March 29, 2017
Anything by Watchman Née is good. Thoughtful, thought-provoking, and simple application to grow in God and spiritual maturation. Watchman Nee is one of my favorite authors.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews