Page 129 - Ephesians

Ephesians 4, are not the same as “The flesh” found in Galatians
5:16 & 17,

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill
the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh: these are contrary the one to the
other so that you cannot do the things that you would”.

Here it talks about the “Flesh”, being at enmity with the Spirit. In
Galatians it looks like a war going on, but not in Ephesians.
Others disagree and say, “No, God uses all these words
synonymously. Sometimes He uses “The old man”, and
sometimes He uses “The old self”. He also uses “The old
Adam”, and often times uses “The flesh”. Elsewhere he says
“The body”, and The body of this death”.

We see Paul use the phrase, “The natural man”, and “The
carnal man”. But no matter what you read, it’s talking about the
same thing.

Here’s what I think causes the confusion. In Ephesians, it
sounds like the old is put off, and the new, is put on. It seems
like the struggle and conflict is over. One is gone, the other has
arrived. That seems to contradict other passages, as well as our
life experience. The Christian life appears to be a battle, and
sometimes a war. Constant struggle. Sometimes, losing.
Sometimes, winning. We sing, “Onward Christian soldiers,
marching as to war.” “The Battle Hymn of the Rebublic”. Is there
anything crystal clear? What is the Holy Spirit’s message in this
passage?

Here’s what I’d like to do. Let me give a little exposition of this
passage and then state the principle. Maturity is no longer the
issue, so don’t worry about that. This is much more liberating!
When God opens your heart to these things, the Christian life will
become the blessing it was meant to be.