The Three Stages of the Believers' Life
The Christian life can be broadly divided into three stages: the stage of the flesh, the stage of the soul, and the stage of the spirit.
Watchman Nee discusses the three stages of a believer's life following regeneration: the stage of the flesh, the stage of the soul, and the stage of the spirit. He explains that after being regenerated, believers may still struggle with sin and doubt their salvation, not realizing they are still in the flesh. As they grow, they may feel joy and engage in spiritual practices, mistakenly believing they are spiritual, yet they remain governed by their emotions. True spirituality is achieved when the Holy Spirit takes control, allowing believers to live in accordance with the spirit rather than their flesh or soul. This progression emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity in the Christian journey.
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When a man believes in Jesus Christ as the Savior who has died for him, he is regenerated. Regeneration is the initial step in the spiritual life. Those who are regenerated have received eternal salvation. After a believer has received the regenerated life, his Christian life can be broadly divided into three stages. The first is the stage of the flesh, the second is the stage of the soul, and the third is the stage of the spirit.
After his regeneration, and for a period of time, a believer may still lose his temper, become proud, become jealous, or commit other sins. Because of this, some may begin to doubt whether or not their regeneration was genuine. They do not realize that, although they have been regenerated, they are still of the flesh. When they advance further, they begin to develop an interest in reading the Bible and in praying and "feel" a new joy in their heart. At this point, the believer may think that he is already a spiritual Christian. However, he does not realize that he is still soulish, still living in the idealistic world of "feeling"! Later, when the Holy Spirit does a deeper work of the cross in him, he will be enabled not to walk according to himself or his feelings (being up or down all the time) but to live quietly in the spirit. Only then can he be considered as being spiritual.
When he is of the flesh, the flesh is his master. When he is soulish, the soul is his master. When he is spiritual, the Holy Spirit becomes his Lord in the spirit.
Sermon Outline
- The Three Stages of the Believers' Life
- The Stage of the Flesh
- The Stage of the Soul
- The Stage of the Spirit
- Characterized by living in the spirit, not self or feelings
- Holy Spirit becomes the Lord in the spirit
- May doubt regeneration due to continued sin
Key Quotes
“When he is of the flesh, the flesh is his master. When he is soulish, the soul is his master. When he is spiritual, the Holy Spirit becomes his Lord in the spirit.” — Watchman Nee
“When they advance further, they begin to develop an interest in reading the Bible and in praying and 'feel' a new joy in their heart.” — Watchman Nee
Application Points
- Recognize that you may still be of the flesh even after regeneration, and that it takes time to overcome this.
- Do not confuse being soulish with being spiritual, and strive to live quietly in the spirit.
- Seek to have the Holy Spirit as Lord in your life, rather than being controlled by your self or feelings.