I’m finally reading through Watchman Nee’s The Spiritual Man. I’ve had this book for nearly 30 years, but have never read it until now. I’ve tried to read it, but each time I picked it up, I put it back down because I didn’t feel “ready” to absorb what he was saying. (It reminds me of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, another book I’ve tried to read many times, only to put it down.)

But as I work through The Spiritual Man this summer, it is hitting me like so many hammer blows.

At the heart of the book is the distinction between body, soul, and spirit.

At the point of faith in Jesus, the believer is born again, and the Holy Spirit indwells his human spirit. But the soul—the emotion, mind, and will—remains. The question then becomes, which one will dominate your life—will it be your body, soul, or spirit? The goal is to be spirit-led.

One of the book’s key insights is that the “flesh” manifests in two ways. It can be obvious—through overt sin and rebellion—or more deceptive: through doing good works apart from dependence on God. A carnal person isn’t just someone entangled in visible sins like adultery, addiction, or outbursts of anger, but also someone who attempts to live the Christian life in their own strength rather than in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Paul asked the Galatians, “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). That rebuke cuts deep. Carnal—or “soulish”—believers try to complete by the flesh what was begun by the Spirit. And that has struck a chord with me.

The Spiritual Man is written in three volumes, and the first volume concerns the soulish or carnal life. According to Nee, here are some of the characteristics of being a soulish believer.

From Watchman Nee, The Spiritual Man, Vol. 1, Pt. 3, Ch. 2.

• Are inordinately curious, especially about Bible prophecy (p. 153)
• Prefer explanations about union with God over experiencing it (p. 153)
• Love to argue and reason (p. 153)
• Are self-righteous (p. 154)
• Refuse to grant others latitude on minor doctrinal points (p. 154)
• Prioritize division over small differences rather than pursuing shared objectives (p. 154)
• Are governed by emotions (p. 155)
• Experience joy or sorrow based on their feelings (p. 155)
• Feel close to God based on supernatural experiences (p. 155)
• Take sentimental experiences as evidence of their spirituality (p. 155)
• Thrive on emotional or sensational stimulation (p. 156)
• Are attracted to art and literature (p. 157)
• Visit nature (mountains, lakes, streams) to feel closer to nature (p. 157)
• Possess spiritual knowledge but lack corresponding experience (p. 157)
• Are very active in doing good works (p. 158)
• Emphasize doing God’s work over laboring according to God’s appointment (pp. 158–59)
• Do not seek or wait for God’s specific will (p. 159)
• Labor according to their own ideas and plans (p. 159)
• Act based on feelings (p. 159)
• Crave good works but lack peace in their spirit (p. 159)
• Are governed by outward circumstances (p. 159)
• Easily give up when they feel they’ve failed (p. 159)
• Are quick to criticize others (p. 160)
• Are slow to forgive (p. 160)
• Act from impulse rather than principle (p. 160)
• Think more about the work than the Lord who gives it (p. 160)
• Fail to recognize when their words are unfruitful (p. 161)
• Cannot tolerate opposing opinions (p. 161)
• Label contrary views as heresy (p. 161)
• Denounce all sectarianism—except their own (p. 161)
• Love their own small inner circle (p. 161)
• Struggle to work with those outside their circle (p. 161)
• Preach using illustrations, wit, or personality instead of relying entirely on God (p. 161)
• Memorize sermons (p. 161)
• Relish high-sounding theological phrases (p. 162)
• Accumulate too much knowledge (p. 162)
• Enjoy teaching speculative ideas (p. 162)
• Teach without regard for what hearers need or can absorb (p. 163)
• Seek prominence in spiritual work (p. 163)
• Feel self-important after minor successes (e.g., winning one soul to Christ) (p. 164)
• Believe they’ve discovered truths no one else has seen (p. 164)
• Are uncommonly gifted or talented—but have not yet died to their natural giftedness (p. 165)

Reading through this list, you may feel—like I did—a mixture of conviction and clarity. Watchman Nee is not trying to shame believers but to diagnose the subtle ways the soul can still rule the life of someone who has been born again. It highlights ways in which we depend on the self instead of on the Spirit. The goal isn’t mere introspection but transformation—moving from soulishness to true spirituality, from self-life to Spirit-led living.

If you saw yourself in these traits, take heart: awareness is the first step toward growth. Ask the Lord to search your heart, renew your mind, and lead you by His Spirit.

Christ didn’t just save you to forgive you—He saved you to transform you from the inside out.

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Send your questions or comments to shawn@freegrace.in.

Read his latest book, The Myth of Tithing and the Joy of Grace Giving by getting it from us or from Amazon.