The Bible states...
Gal 5:16 This I say then,
Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
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.
1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2 That
he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Here is a quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith in the section of Sanctification...
I. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection,
[1] by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them:
[2] the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,
[3] and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified;
[4] and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces,
[5] to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
[6]
II. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man;
[7] yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part;
[8] whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.
[9]
III. In which war,
although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail;[10] yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome;
[11] and so, the saints grow in grace,
[12] perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
[13]
Here is another quote from the section on Perseverance...
I. They, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.
[1]
II. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father;
[2] upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ,
[3] the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them,
[4] and the nature of the covenant of grace:
[5] from all which arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
[6]
III.
Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins;[7] and, for a time, continue therein:[8] whereby they incur God's displeasure,[9] and grieve His Holy Spirit,
[10] come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts,
[11] have their hearts hardened,
[12] and their consciences wounded;
[13] hurt and scandalize others,
[14] and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.
[15]
The Westminster Confession is not some obscure document, it is the basis of much of modern theology and teaches clearly that Christian's can be saved and sinning at the same time.
You yourself claim that the "flesh trips you up." What do you mean by that?
I would agree that the flesh brings with it temptation but the yielding to temptation ought to be out of the question. The Bible teaches...
Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
If the flesh and the associated passions and desires are crucified and we thus walk according to the Spirit then there is no way that the "flesh will trip us up." Sure the flesh will tempt us but we put that temptation to death via putting on the mind of Christ.
The Christian walk is one of victory, not defeat.
