THE DIVIDING OF THE THE OUTWARD AND THE INWARD MAN
When the outward man is broken, outside things will be kept outside, and the inward man will live before God continuously. The trouble with many is that their outward man and inward man are joined together, so what influences the outward influences the inward. Through the merciful working of God the outward man and inward man must be separated. Then what affects the outward will not be able to reach the inward. Though the outward man may be engaged in conversation, the inward man is fellowshipping with God. The outward may be burdened with listening to the clatter of dishes, yet the inward abides in God. One is able to carry on activities, to contact the world with the outer man, nevertheless the inner man remains unaffected because he still lives before God. Consider an example or two. A certain brother is working on the road. If his outer and inner man have been divided, the latter will not be disturbed by outside things. He can labor in his outward man, while at the same time he is inwardly worshipping God. Or consider a parent: his outward man may be laughing and playing with his little child. Suddenly a certain spiritual need arises. He can at once meet the situation with his inward man, for he has never been absent from the presence of God. So it is important for us to realize that the dividing of the outward and inward man has a most decisive effect upon one's work and life. Only thus is one able to labor without distraction. We can describe believers as either "single" or "dual" persons. With some their inner and outer man are one; with others the two have been separated. As long as one is a "single" person, he must summon his whole being into his work or into his prayer. In working he leaves God behind. In praying later, he must turn away from his work. Because his outward man has not been broken, he is forced to launch out and retreat. The "dual" person, on the other hand, is able to work with his outward man while his inward man remains constantly before God. Whenever the need arises, his inward man can break forth and manifest itself before others. He enjoys the unbroken presence of God. Let us ask ourselves, Am I a "single" or a "dual" person? Whether the outward man is divided from the inward does make all the difference. If through the mercy of God you have experienced this dividing, then while you are working or
are outwardly active, you know there is a man in you who remains calm. Though the outward man is engaged in external things, these will not penetrate into the inward man. Here is the wondrous secret! Knowing the presence of God is through the dividing of these two.
Brother Lawrence seemed to be busily occupied with kitchen work, yet within him there was another man standing before God and enjoying undisturbed communion with Him. Such an inner division will keep our reactions free from the contamination of flesh and blood.
In conclusion, let us remember that the ability to use our spirit depends upon the two-fold work of God: the breaking of the outward man and the dividing of spirit and soul, that is, the separating of our inward man from the outward. Only after God has carried out both of these processes in our lives are we able to exercise our spirit. The outward man is broken through the discipline of the Holy Spirit; it is divided from the inward man by the revelation of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 4:12)....
Author: Watchman Nee
Compiled and edited: Peter O. Olutoyese
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