Individuality is the hard outer layer shrouding the inner spiritual life. Individuality is a "selfish mistress", separating and alienating people. Often times we see it as the primary characteristic of a child, and rightly so. When we intertwine individuality with the spiritual life, the result is always  isolation. 

This shell of individuality is God’s unique natural covering designed to protect the spiritual life. But our individuality must be yielded to God so that our spiritual life may be brought forth into fellowship with Him. Individuality counterfeits spirituality, just as lust counterfeits love. God designed human nature for Himself, but individuality corrupts that human nature for its own purposes.
The characteristics of individuality are a sense of entitlement, tolerance and selfishness. We hinder our spiritual growth more than any other way by continually asserting our individuality (the need to fulfill the lusts of the flesh and to pursue the material things of this world) If you say, “I can’t believe,” it is because your individuality is blocking the way; individuality can NEVER believe.

But our spirit man cannot help believing. Watch yourself closely when the Spirit of God is at work in you. He pushes you to the limits of your individuality where a choice must be made. 

The choice is either to say, “I will not surrender,” or to surrender, breaking the hard shell of individuality, which allows the spiritual life to emerge. The Holy Spirit narrows it down every time to one thing (see Matthew 5:23-24). It is your individuality that refuses to “be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:24). God wants to bring you into communion with Himself, but unless you are willing to give up your right to yourself, He cannot. “…let him deny himself…”— deny his independent right to the calamity of free will. 

 Then the real life-the spiritual life-is allowed the opportunity to grow.