And I tried to show you something about paradox in scripture. If the old man is "literally" dead how come the flesh still lusteth against the spirit? We need to take things in balance with other scriptures.
Excellent question sister-
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Lusteth against (epithumei kata). Like a tug of war. This use of sarx as opposed to the Spirit (Holy Spirit) personifies sarx. Lightfoot argues that epithumei cannot be used with the Spirit and so some other verb must be supplied for it.
But that is wholly needless, for the verb, like epithumia, does not mean evil desire, but simply to long for.
Christ and Satan long for the possession of the city of Man Soul as Bunyan shows.
Are contrary the one to the other (allēlois antikeitai). Are lined up in conflict, face to face (anti̇), a spiritual duel (cf. Christ’s temptations), with dative case of personal interest (allēlois).
That ye may not do (hina mē poiēte). “That ye may not keep on doing” (present active subjunctive of poieō).
That ye would (ha ean thelēte). “Whatever ye wish” (indefinite relative with ean and present subjunctive).
RWS
Cannot do (μὴ ποιῆτε)
A mistake, growing out of the misinterpretation of ἵνα noted above. Rather, each works to the end that ye may not do, etc.
The things that ye would (ἃ ἐὰν θέλητε)
The things which you will to do under the influence of either of the two contending principles. There is a mutual conflict of two powers. If one wills to do good, he is opposed by the flesh: if to do evil, by the Spirit.
Vincent
5:16 "walk by the Spirit"
A PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, Paul urged the Galatians to live a life supernaturally and continuously controlled by the Spirit of God (cf. Eph. 4:1,17; 5:2,15-18).
A primary idea in Galatians was that the Spirit is He who brings initial salvation.
Thus, this verse meant that which was begun by the Spirit (cf. Gal. 3:3), is also that which is perfected by the Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:16-25). The related term "law of the Spirit," Rom. 8:1 and implied in Gal. 5:18, is exactly the same as the "law of Christ" in 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2; and James 1:25; 2:8,12. The law of love serves others as well as self (cf. Phil. 2:1-4).
"and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh"
The strongest negation possible in Koine Greek utilizes the DOUBLE NEGATIVE with an AORIST SUBJUNCTIVE, which means "never under any circumstances."
This is found in this verse, followed by a very strong Greek word for "gratify."
The Christian life and eternal salvation are of supernatural origin. Believers are not only called to be saved—but called to Christlikeness (cf. Rom. 8:28-29; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 1:4). The contrast between "flesh" and "spirit" is common in Paul (cf. Rom. 8:1-11). "Flesh" [sarx] is used in two senses by Paul: (1) the physical body; and (2) mankind's fallen, sinful, Adamic nature. Here it is obviously #2.
5:17 This contrast between the two ways of life is also found in Rom. 8:1-11. Paul presented the two supposed ways of being saved:
human effort
God's free grace in Christ
There are then two ways to live a godly life:
human effort (which is affected by the Fall)
God's free power in the Spirit
The Judaizers were asserting human effort in both salvation and the Christian life, but Paul asserted God's supernatural provision in both.
5:18 "But if you are led by the Spirit" This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE, assumed true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes.
Those who are led by the Spirit are not subject to the law (cf. Rom. 6:14; 7:4,6).
This does not imply that Christians will not sin (cf. Romans 7 and 1 John 2:1), but rather that their lives are not characterized by rebellion (cf. 1 John 3:6,9).
"you are not under the Law" No ARTICLE precedes "law" in the Greek text, so the word may have a wider connotation than just the Jewish law. Here, the law has the sense of a way of life used to approach God. Here again is the contrast between the two ways of being pleasing or acceptable to God: self-effort and God's free grace.
5:19 "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident" Many commentators see several distinct categories in this list of sins. However, there is a unity here based primarily on pagan worship excesses
. People reveal their true selves in their actions and motives (cf. Matt. 7:16,20; 12:33). The results of the Fall are seen in our lifestyle choices.
The KJV adds the term "adultery" to this list. It is only supported by the Greek manuscript D, Codex Bezea, which is from the sixth century A.D. It is also included into some Old Latin and Vulgate manuscripts.
Hope this is helpful
@Lizbeth
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Johann.