The Latent Power of the Soul

This is an EXCELLENT book to help the true Believer understand many "religious " activities which are meant to deceive with false miracles and "signs" of superior spirituality.

Very profound work by Brother Nee. This is a must read for every genuine believer that wants to work only with the power of the Spirit rather than soulish faith. It's a great eye opener about the powers that we seek and give ourselves to. Brother Nee may have written this in 1930s/40s but it became even more relevant in 2025 when it seems like soul power has spread further in the world.

Such a powerful book!!!! Have read it twice and keep finding so many goodies deep in the pages.

Watchman Nee is always great. He gives a powerful analysis of Soul Power.

This little book is full of timeless nuggets of Christian theology. Watchman Nee brilliantly dissects the differences in soul and spirit, an often overlooked topic of discussion.

When I first read “Latent Power of the Soul” in 1972, I was not in favor of the things that he said. Though I had already devoured “The Spiritual Man,” and “The Normal Christian Life,” my understanding and experience with the soul of man were lacking. As my understanding has developed over the years through much experience, I have come to see the need for discernment between the good and the not-so-good. (Heb. 5:14) There is much going on in the Body of Christ today that passes for spiritual, but is in reality soulish. At best, it is due to immaturity and at worst, it is due to deception. I’ve also been looking into what normally passes for worship in this day, and there are some things he wrote (of which I was no longer aware) that speak directly to the issue. A few days ago, something happened (I don’t recall what) that brought to mind Nee’s book on the soul. So, I bought and read a copy. QUOTE: “Making use of science, religion, and even an ignorant church (in her seeking excessively supernatural manifestations and in her not controlling supernatural gifts according to the guidance of the Bible), Satan is causing the world to be filled with the power of darkness.” Though I have not participated in any of the ‘revivals’ or ‘blessings’ that have occurred since the waning days of the Charismatic Renewal, all reports have been about “supernatural manifestations” which the people involved were experiencing. The only changed lives with which I am familiar are those of ministers who have capitalized on their having been involved in one or another of those events. QUOTE: “Satan is now engaging this soul power to serve as a substitute for God’s gospel and its power. He tries to blind people’s hearts…into accepting a bloodless religion.” The God-loves-you-more-than-you-can-imagine concept of hyper grace sweeping the country has essentially become “bloodless.” Nee speaks a lot about worship designed to move man’s soul. (There is too much to offer a definitive quote.) He illustrates with environment, singing of “incessant choruses,” preaching, etc. While there were times we experienced the “incessant singing of choruses” in the early days of the Charismatic renewal, there is a new form today that uses the incessant repetition of a phrase such as “He’s a good, good God.” (I lost count at 10x on one such video recently from a very popular church in California.) This book by Watchman Nee is solid. All that being said, however, it is also a dangerous book for the unlearned or unskilled. It is too easy to take what Nee says and make "rules" or "guidelines" out of it, and then completely miss what the Lord is doing because it didn't "fit the box."

I had points in the book that I wanted to say, “What? That’s so wrong or weird”, BUT he has loaded this book with scripture and I found some very good nuggets of thought. It’s an easy read. Read with open mind and see if there’s anything God wants to teach you!

This is not like the other books from Watchman Nee, it is a little different in that he addresses some new age issues originating back to the fall of man. That Adam was created powerfully more so than we can even imagine and that Satan wants to harness the latent power each one of us harbor deep down in our soul. We are not to give him access to this latent power lest he uses it for evil. As a Christ follower our power comes from God and God alone, to Him be the glory and not us. It may seem like watchman Nee is going off course in the beginning of this book but keep reading and there is much to glean from it. I recommend this for anyone who has come out of the new age movement, is involved in a deliverances or just wants to read an interesting book from Watchman Nee.

I truly appreciate Watchman Nee and applaud his workings. Really they are very spirit filled and I have learnt a fair deal from his wonderful literature. But, noone person in Christ is without fault. No one man can be placed in Christ's place, we are all prone to occasional faults. Even the best, like Peter, was reprimanded for his compromise with the jews. Yet this great apostle wrote two books in the new testament. Likewise I will still read and enjoy Watchman Nee's teachings. However much I revere Watchman Nee, I prefer still the Word of God. I am afraid that Mr Nee has been more influenced by Jesse Penn-Lewis than by the scriptures. Most of his citings refer to her experiences- what a shame! Let us be plain, the Bible knows nothing of "soul-power" or psychic forces. The all-powerful soul of Adam is sheer here-say, nonsense and superstition. I can scarcely believe that Watchman Nee could even suggest such a thing as this ! Stretching biblical verses in order to obtain such a doctrine is just *not right*. There are no verses that directly back up such a invalid claim as this - not one. Ambiguous verses about Adam's so-called power should never be used as a foundation when direct verses contradict any such a teaching. Never does the Lord give Adam supernatural forces. 1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. Man has the natural powers of intelligence, science and physical strength.. but not supernatural might. I challenge any to prove this by scripture ! There are forces and powers at play, but they are satanic and not from the might of the human-soul. THE SOUL HAS POWER OF HIS OWN WILL ONLY: 1Co_7:37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 1Co_9:4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 1Co_7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. THE SOUL DOES NOT HAVE POWER OUTSIDE OF ITS WILL: Psa 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Mat 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. Joh_15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Gen_3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: *for dust thou art* , and unto dust shalt thou return. Rom_13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is *no power* but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Psa 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. Psa 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 1Co_15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: Isa 40:6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: Isa_40:17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. Isa_41:24 Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you. Isa_41:29 Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. Jer_13:10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. Eze_13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Joh_3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. I suggest that should one still believe in the "latent power of the soul", then consult Job ch.38-41 and read what God says of man. That man can achieve nothing by himself or know nothing by his might. Man was created lower than the angels and without might. He was to dominate the Earth BY producing offspring.. not by pyschic might.. oh dear. HEATHENS DO NOT GET THEIR POWER FROM THE SOUL.. Rev_13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and *the dragon gave him his power* , and his seat, and great authority. Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but *receive power* as kings one hour with the beast. 2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the *working of Satan* with all power and signs and lying wonders, Eph_2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Col_1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Heb_2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ....BUT FROM SATAN Conclusion: There are absolutely no examples in the scriptures of people achieving anything with soul-power. Nothing... Not only that but Jesus does not teach about this. Paul also NEVER addresses a soul-power issue. The Word refers to man being weak and powerless, requiring Power from on high. " you can do NOTHING without me" " a man has nothing if it come not from heaven".. MAN HAS NO INHERENT POWER.. full stop. So this is error. Does the author believe the satanic lie in the garden about being like God ? I hope not. But please, people, Watchman Nee is a great servant and teacher. You must read his other books and take little notice of this one. For my part, I am willing to throw it away in for the honour and respect I owe to Watchman Nee.

The book I was searching for years.

This is a very good read to encourage, build, and help you gain confidence in understanding the scriptures and the battles we face.I recommend finding a quite place, your Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit to help you and gain the most from this book.

Book read already.

Amazing book for those who wants to know about the difference of effect between the soil and spirit. Many have been deceived to think its the holy spirit using them