110+ Watchman Nee Quotes On Prayer, Emotions And Faith

Watchman Nee was a Chinese Christian leader and teacher who lived from 1903-1972. He wrote over 60 books, many of which have been translated into English and are widely read today. He was a leader in the Chinese house church movement and is remembered for his emphasis on Christian living and spiritual growth. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Watchman Nee on prayer, emotions, faith.

Top 10 Watchman Nee Quotes

1. I do not consecrate myself to be a missionary or a preacher. I consecrate myself to God to do His will where I am, be it in school, office, or kitchen, or wherever He may, in His wisdom, send me.
2. It does not matter what your personal deficiency, or whether it be a hundred and one different things, God has always one sufficient answer, His Son Jesus Christ, and he is the answer to every need.
3. God is not seeking a display of my Christ-likeness , but a manifestation of His Christ.
4. There is nothing more tragic than to come to the end of life and know we have been on the wrong course.
5. If Christ lives in us, we will rejoice in everything, and we will thank and praise the Lord. We will say, 'Hallelujah! Praise the Lord' forever.
6. The Blood deals with what we have done, whereas the Cross deals with what we are. The Blood disposes of our sins, while the Cross strikes at the root of our capacity for sin.
7. We think of the Christian life as a ‘changed life’ but it is not that. What God offers us is an ‘exchanged life,’ a ‘substituted life,’ and Christ is our Substitute within.
8. A Christian life is an unending engagement on the battlefield.
9. The fruit of the Spirit is . . . self-control
10. Everyone who believes in God must have His revelation in his spirit, or else what he believes is not God but mere human wisdom, ideals or words. Such faith cannot endure the test.

Watchman Nee Short Quotes

• I want nothing for myself; I want everything for the Lord.
• Our old history ends with the Cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.
• With complete consecration comes perfect peace.
• Separation to God, separation from the world, is the first principle of Christian living.
• An unpeaceful mind cannot operate normally.
• The particular sin of omission which gives ground to the evil spirits is the believer’s passivity.
• The note of hallelujah must never be in short supply in the spirit of the believer.
• A born-again person ought to possess unspeakable peace in the spirit.
• A mistaken thought may be corrected easily, but an errant affection is nearly unmanageable.
• Whatever the mind sets itself on is what the man walks after.

Watchman Nee Quotes About Prayer

Our prayers lay the track down which Gods power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails. — Watchman Nee

As God's child advances spiritually be shall discover that the Lord's time is as important as the Lord's will. Do not rashly beget an Ishmael lest he become the greatest enemy to Isaac. — Watchman Nee

Nowadays Christians appear to treat prayer as a means to accomplish their aims and ideas. If they possessed just a little deeper understanding, they would recognize that prayer is but man uttering to God what is God's will. — Watchman Nee

Prayer is the acid test of the inner man's strength. A strong spirit is capable of praying much and praying with all perseverance until the answer comes. A weak one grows weary and fainthearted in the maintenance of praying. — Watchman Nee

Our prayers lay the track down which God's power can come. — Watchman Nee

Believers must persevere in prayer that they may see clearly their own pitiful state and understand the indwelling, working, and demands of the Holy Spirit. — Watchman Nee

When a believer has crossed into the domain of the spiritual he daily ought to maintain a combat attitude in his spirit, praying therewith for the overthrow of all the works of Satan done through the evil powers. — Watchman Nee

Prayer is work. The experiences of many children of God demonstrate that it accomplishes far more than does any other form of work. It is also warfare, for it is one of the weapons in fighting the enemy. However, only prayer in the spirit is genuinely effectual. — Watchman Nee

They spend more time in analyzing, in collecting materials, and in hard thinking than on prayer, on seeking God's mind, and on waiting for the power from above. — Watchman Nee

Only those who are spiritual perceive the reality of the spiritual foe and hence engage in battle. Such warfare is not fought with arms of the flesh. Because the conflict is spiritual so must the weapons. — Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee Quotes About Faith

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith. — Watchman Nee

Spiritual advancement is measured by faithful obedience. — Watchman Nee

We may infer from any defeat of ours that it is due either to lack of faith or failure to obey. No other reason can suffice. — Watchman Nee

Baptism is faith in action. — Watchman Nee

The Christian experience, from start to finish, is a journey of faith. — Watchman Nee

Faith in Christ makes one a regenerated believer; obedience to the Holy Spirit makes him a spiritual believer. — Watchman Nee

The life of faith is not only totally different from, but also diametrically opposite to, a life of feeling. — Watchman Nee

Henceforth we are dead to everything pertaining to ourselves and alive to His Spirit alone. This requires our exercising faith. — Watchman Nee

The Christian faith begins not with a big DO but with a big DONE. — Watchman Nee

The sight of any trouble strikes terror into the heart of those who do not have faith, but those who trust Him say, ‘Here comes my food.! — Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee Quotes About Holy Spirit

Do not grow overconfident following a few victories. Should you not rely upon the Holy Spirit you will soon be thrown once more into a distressing experience. With holy diligence you must cultivate an attitude of dependency. — Watchman Nee

Just as the right relationship with Christ generates a Christian, so the proper relationship with the Holy Spirit breeds a spiritual man. — Watchman Nee

If we verily bear the cross we shall be neither controlled nor influenced by soulical affection but shall be fit to love in the power of the Holy Spirit. Even so did the Lord Jesus love His family while on earth. — Watchman Nee

A spiritual Christian therefore is one whose spirit is led by God's Spirit... Perhaps their speech does convey truth, but without the quickening of the Holy Spirit even truth is of small advantage. — Watchman Nee

The book of Acts is the best aid in approaching our work. We do not find there anyone consecrating himself as a preacher nor anyone deciding to do the Lord's work by making himself a missionary or a pastor. What we do see is the Holy Spirit Himself appointing and sending men out to do the work. — Watchman Nee

Take this as the secret of Christ's life in you: His Spirit dwells in your innermost spirit. Meditate on it, believe in it, and remember it until this glorious truth produces within you a holy fear and wonderment that the Holy Spirit indeed abides in you. — Watchman Nee

It is important to receive God's arrangement in the circumstances. This arrangement is the discipline of the Holy Spirit. To escape God's arrangement just one time is to lose an opportunity to have our capacity enlarged. A believer can never be the same after passing through suffering. — Watchman Nee

If whatever men know comes through their brain without the Holy Spirit regenerating their spirit, then their knowledge will help them not one whit. If their belief rests in man's wisdom and not in God's power, they are merely excited in their soul. — Watchman Nee

The child of God ought to confess his weakness that he does not know how to pray, and petition the Holy Spirit to teach him. — Watchman Nee

How true it is that without the guidance of the Holy Spirit intellect not only is undependable but also extremely dangerous, because it often confuses the issue of right and wrong. — Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee Quotes About Spiritual

Frequently the enemy entices Christians to harbor an unforgiving spirit - a very common symptom indeed among God's children. Such bitterness and fault-finding and enmity inflict a severe blow upon spiritual life. — Watchman Nee

Genuine spiritual knowledge lies not in wonderful and mysterious thoughts but in actual spiritual experience through union of the believer's life with truth. — Watchman Nee

True spiritual life depends not on probing our feelings and thoughts from dawn to dusk but on 'looking off' to the Savior! — Watchman Nee

Natural strength is what we receive from the hand of God as Creator. Spiritual strength is what we receive from God in grace. — Watchman Nee

Eternal life means more than mere future blessing to be enjoyed by believers; it is equally a kind of spiritual ability. — Watchman Nee

All spiritual prayers have their source in God. God makes known to us what we ought to pray by unfolding to us the need and by giving that need as a burden in our intuitive spirit. Only an intuitive burden can constitute our call to pray. — Watchman Nee

It is not only the proclamation of the whole truth that is needed today; it is the release of the spiritual reality which the truth expresses, and that can only be realized as we allow ourselves to be caught into the mighty on-flowing tide of the Spirit. — Watchman Nee

A spiritual Christian should welcome any burden which the Lord brings his way. — Watchman Nee

Do we not realize that the basic condition for a spiritual walk is to fear our self and its wisdom and to rely absolutely upon the Spirit? — Watchman Nee

The gospel we preach must not be just something we hear from men or read from books or even conceived through our meditation. Unless it is delivered to us by God, it can serve no spiritual utility. — Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee Quotes About Love

Not by gain our life is measured, But by what we've lost 'Tis scored; 'Tis not how much wine is drunken But how much has been outpoured. For the strength of love never standeth In the sacrifice we bear; He who has the greatest suffering Ever has the most to share. — Watchman Nee

We may love to say many things, but if these are not uttered in the Holy Spirit it is better to say nothing. The flesh can conjure up many plans and methods and be full of expectations. The righteousness of the flesh is as abhorrent as its sin we must always maintain God's view of the flesh. — Watchman Nee

We must have a spirit of power towards the enemy, a spirit of love towards men, and a spirit of self-control towards ourselves. — Watchman Nee

God will not give me humility, or patience, or holiness, or love as separate investments of His grace. He has given only one gift to meet our need, His Son Christ Jesus. — Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee Famous Quotes And Sayings

Often Satan injects pride into the believer's spirit, evoking in him an attitude of self-importance and of self-conceit. He causes him to esteem himself a very outstanding person, one who is indispensable in God's work. Such a spirit constitutes one of the major reasons for the fall of believers. — Watchman Nee

We must not pay attention just to reading and studying; rather, we should ask if we are open before the Lord. If we do not have an unveiled face, the glory of the Lord will not shine on us. If our heart is not open to God, God cannot give us any light. — Watchman Nee

Negligence in prayer withers the inner man. Nothing can be a substitute for it, not even Christian work. Many are so preoccupied with work that they allow little time for prayer. Hence they cannot cast out demons. Prayer enables us first inwardly to overcome the enemy and then outwardly to deal with him. — Watchman Nee

Because the Lord Jesus died on the Cross, I have received forgiveness of sins; because the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, I have received new life; because the Lord Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of the Father, I have received the outpoured Spirit. All is because of Him; nothing is because of me. — Watchman Nee

God will answer all our questions in one way and one way only. Namely, by showing us more of his Son. — Watchman Nee

People who are lazy, careless, doubtful-minded or arrogant need not expect God to reveal His secret or covenant to them. — Watchman Nee

Revelation is the first step to holiness, and consecration is the second. A day must come in our lives, as definite as the day of our conversion, when we give up all right to ourselves and submit to the absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ. — Watchman Nee

Christ is the Son of God. He died to atone for men's sin, and after three days rose again. This is the most important fact in the universe. I die believing in Christ. — Watchman Nee

Grace means that God does something for me; law means that I do something for God. God has certain holy and righteous demands which he places upon me: that is law. Now if law means that God requires something of me for their fulfillment, then deliverance from law means he no longer requires that from me, but himself provides it. — Watchman Nee

I need forgiveness for my sins, but I need also deliverance from the power of sin... I appreciate the blessed fact of God's forgiveness, but I want something more than that: I want deliverance. I need forgiveness for what I have done, but I need also deliverance from what I am. — Watchman Nee

Let us recognize this one thing: burden is the secret of prayer. If a person does not feel within him burden to pray for a particular matter he can hardly succeed in prayer. In a prayer meeting some brothers and sisters may mention a great many subjects for prayer. But if you are not touched inwardly, you cannot pray. — Watchman Nee

Frequently what we say is rest is merely laziness. Our body requires respite and so does our mind and spirit. But a person should never rest because of a laziness which arises from the evil nature in his emotion. How often laziness and emotional distaste for work join to employ physical fatigue as a cover-up. — Watchman Nee

You should accordingly exercise your mind to remember your friends, relatives, and fellow-workers to determine if they are in need. As you remember each one so shall you in turn intercede for them. If in interceding on their behalf your spirit remains cold and dry, then you know you are not to pray for them. — Watchman Nee

The Christian life from start to finish is based upon this principle of utter dependence upon the Lord Jesus. — Watchman Nee

Most soulish believers assume an attitude of self-righteousness, though often it is scarcely detectable. They hold tenaciously to their minute opinions we ought to lay aside the small differences and pursue the common objective. — Watchman Nee

He who is able to accept everything gladly from the Lord - including darkness, dryness, flatness - and completely disregard self is he who lives for Him. — Watchman Nee

Nothing is wrong with the inlet: It is the outlet that is obstructed. The water of life does not spring forth because the flow has no way through. Were the outlet cleared, the water of life would flow unceasingly. What a child of God needs is not more life but more flow of life. — Watchman Nee

Towards himself a Christian should have a broken spirit, but towards God it should be one of rejoicing always in Him. He rejoices not for its own sake nor because of any joyful experience, work, blessing or circumstance, but exclusively because God is his center. — Watchman Nee

On at least four separate occasions and recorded in the four Gospels the Lord Jesus called His disciples to deny their soul life, deliver it to death, and then to follow Him. — Watchman Nee

To secure one's freedom the Christian must experience God's light which is God's truth. — Watchman Nee

All we have-ourselves-to Him, and if that be all, that is enough. — Watchman Nee

In order for the inner man to be strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit, the children of God must discharge their responsibility. They need to yield specifically to the Lord, forsake every doubtful aspect in their life, be willing to obey fully God's will, and believe through prayer that He will flood their spirit with His power. — Watchman Nee

The right attitude is this: that I have my own will, yet I will the will of God. — Watchman Nee

To remove warfare from a spiritual life is to render it unspiritual. Life in the spirit is a suffering way, filled with watching and laboring, burdened by weariness and trial, punctuated by heartbreak and conflict. It is a life utterly outpoured for the kingdom of God and lived in complete disregard for one's personal happiness. — Watchman Nee

Fellowship means among other things that we are ready to receive of Christ from others. Other believers minister Christ to me, and I am ready to receive. — Watchman Nee

Do not be impatient for impatience is of the flesh. Do not try different methods because they are useful solely in helping the flesh. We must distrust the flesh entirely. — Watchman Nee

To walk after the spirit a believer must inhibit his mind from revolving endlessly. If it turns too long around one topic, worries or grieves too much over matters, and ponders too intensively to know God's will, it may become unbearable and hamper its normal operation. The mind needs to be kept in a steady and secure state. — Watchman Nee

With fear and trembling we must rely upon God for guidance in the inner depths. This is the sole way to walk according to the spirit. — Watchman Nee

None who are shod with fleshly shoes can stand on the holy ground of God's service. Many failures and much waste and confusion which have resulted are due to men's coming to work, instead of being sent out to work. — Watchman Nee

The child of God should not be overanxious to make new gains; what he essentially requires is to keep what he already has, for not losing is itself a gain. The way to retain what he possesses is to engage it. — Watchman Nee

The attitude of saints toward their possessions most assuredly signifies whether they continue to preserve their self life or whether they have consigned it to death. — Watchman Nee

If one's conscience is willing to confess whatever sins have been committed, including the sin of unbelief, it will be sorrowful in a godly way, earnestly desiring the mercy of God. — Watchman Nee

Long-lasting victory can never be separated from a long-lasting stand on the foundation of the cross. — Watchman Nee

Since this life is God's and cannot die, it follows that everyone born anew into possessing this life is said to have eternal life. — Watchman Nee

Overcoming sin, blessed though it surely is, is but the bare minimum of a believers experience. There is nothing astonishing in it. Not to overcome sin is what ought to astonish us. — Watchman Nee

Were our spirits hardy we would be able to meet the most disturbing situation with peace and rest. — Watchman Nee

The author tells a story wherein a missionary friend of his was invited by unbelievers on a train ride to play cards. The friend declined, saying that he did not bring his hands with him. He explained to the astonished group that the hands attached to what they saw as his body belonged to the Lord, and he was thereby able to explain the Gospel. — Watchman Nee

The burden imparted by God is lifted once we have prayed, but the heaviness from the enemy cannot be raised unless we fight and resist in prayer. — Watchman Nee

The clerical system of church management is exceedingly popular, but the whole thought is foreign to Scripture. — Watchman Nee

Knowing the truth concerning the deep workings of the evil spirit helps the individual not only to overcome sins but to eliminate unnecessary afflictions as well. — Watchman Nee

Therefore, brethren, pray until God gives us revelation so that "knowing this" in our spirit we may truly confess "that our old man has been crucified with him." — Watchman Nee

Furthermore, through the believer's spirit the Holy Spirit is able to impart God's life to thirsty and dying men. However, this filling of the Holy Spirit differs from the baptism with the Holy Spirit, because the latter is for the purpose of service while the former solves the problem of life (naturally it will affect service too). — Watchman Nee

Every true work is not done to the poor. Every true work is done to Me. — Watchman Nee

God aims first to renew man's darkened spirit by imparting life to it, because it is this spirit which God originally designed to receive His life and to commune with Him. God's intent after that is to work out from the spirit to permeate man's soul and body. — Watchman Nee

A person who wholly follows the Lord is one who believes that the promises of God are trustworthy, that He is with His people, and that they are well able to overcome. — Watchman Nee

One gains by losing self for others and not by hoarding for oneself. — Watchman Nee

The idea of waste only comes into our Christianity when we underestimate the worth of our Lord. — Watchman Nee

A Christian ought to realize what the weights laid on his spirit are. If he encounters it in the morning and does not deal with it at once, he experiences defeat the whole day long. — Watchman Nee

All knowledge is the outgrowth of obedience; everything else is just information. — Watchman Nee

So we can say, reverently, that God never gave us the Law to keep: he gave us the Law to break! He well knew that we could not keep it. — Watchman Nee

Irrespective of how we physiologically are made, even possessing special weaknesses, we can overcome our sins through the Lord. — Watchman Nee

Do not be taken in or flattered by your own success or fame. Take not only as to whether or not the old creation, including everything which comes by birth, has gone through the cross. — Watchman Nee

Why do so many Christians pray such tiny prayers when their God is so big? — Watchman Nee

May we always be possessed by the consciousness that we are not our own. — Watchman Nee

God not only wants to break the outer man...He wants our spirit and our soul...our inner man and outer man to be separated from each other. — Watchman Nee

Lord, I am willing to break my heart in order that I may satisfy Thy heart! — Watchman Nee

The Lord has shown me that I can do anything, but that He has said, apart from Me ye can do nothing. So it comes to this, that everything I have done, and can still do apart from Him is nothing! — Watchman Nee

Only as they cease to seek anything by themselves and only as they take the position of the teachable shall they be taught by the Spirit truth which they are able to digest. — Watchman Nee

At times it seems we require more grace to lose our wealth than to lose our life! — Watchman Nee

If the mind is open the individual will soon perceive the preciousness of a truth which initially appeared rather dull to him but now is illumined by the spirit's light. — Watchman Nee

The cares of this life emerge as very small items indeed along our daily path. — Watchman Nee

It is highly dangerous to receive the truths of the Bible with human wisdom, for this is a hidden and subtle method which invariably causes a believer to perfect with his flesh the work of the Holy Spirit. — Watchman Nee

Life Lessons by Watchman Nee

1. Watchman Nee emphasizes the importance of living a life of faith and obedience to God, trusting that He will lead us and provide for us.
2. He encourages us to be humble and to rely on God's strength rather than our own.
3. He also reminds us that we should strive to be more like Jesus, loving others and living a life of service to God and our fellow man.