1211 个体性
于是耶稣对门徒说，若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架，来跟从我。《马太福音16:24》
个体性是环绕内在灵命的坚硬外层，个体性将他人推到一边，将人们分离和孤立。我们将之视为孩童的主要特征，也正是如此。当我们将个体性与灵命混为一谈时，我们就会保持孤立。个体性的外壳是神创造的自然保护层，旨在保护灵命；但是我们的个体性必须降服于神，如此我们的灵命才能与祂相交。个体性仿冒灵性，就像欲望仿冒爱一样。神为自己设计了人性，但个体性却为了自己的目的败坏了人性。
个体性的特征是独立和自我意志。我们不断地坚持自己的个性，这比其他任何方式都更能阻碍我们的灵命成长。如果你说「我不能相信」，那是因为你的个体性挡住了道路；个体性永远不可能信。但我们的灵却不得不信。当神的灵在你身上做工时，要留意自己。祂会把你推向个体性的极限，那时你必须做出选择。选择要么说「我不会降服」，要么降服，打破个体性的硬壳，让属灵生命浮现出来。圣灵每次都会将其缩小到一件事（见马太福音 5:23-24），是你的个体性拒绝「与你的弟兄和好」（马太福音 5:24）。神要把你与带入与祂自己的联合中，但除非你愿意放弃你对自己的权利，否则祂不能那样作。「…就当舍己…」——否认他对自己的独立自主权。然后，真正的生命，属灵生命，才有机会成长。
来自章伯斯的智慧
耶稣对门徒所说的伟大之语是「舍己」。当神把我们带进门徒的关系中时，我们必须冒险相信祂的话，完全信靠祂，并注意当祂带我们去冒险时，我们就接受之。《登山宝训研究》
1211 Individuality
Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…” —Matthew 16:24
Individuality is the hard outer layer surrounding the inner spiritual life. Individuality shoves others aside, separating and isolating people. We see it as the primary characteristic of a child, and rightly so. When we confuse individuality with the spiritual life, we remain isolated. This shell of individuality is God’s created 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 independence and self-will. We hinder our spiritual growth more than any other way by continually asserting our individuality. If you say, “I can’t believe,” it is because your individuality is blocking the way; individuality can never believe. But our spirit 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 union 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 himself. Then the real life-the spiritual life-is allowed the opportunity to grow..
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
The great word of Jesus to His disciples is Abandon. When God has brought us into the relationship of disciples, we have to venture on His word; trust entirely to Him and watch that when He brings us to the venture, we take it.—Studies in the Sermon on the Mount