'That ye put off concerning the former conversation (manner of life)

the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts' (Eph.

'Knowing this, that our old man is (was) crucified with Him, that the

body of sin might be destroyed (made inoperative), that henceforth we

should not serve sin' (Rom. 6:6).

It is important to realize that although the English word 'lust' has

narrowed itself down to one particular bad meaning, the Greek word epithumia

(translated 'lust') is wider and can be used of any strong desire of the

human mind.  It is used in a good sense in the following passages:

'Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ' (Phil. 1:23).

'We ... endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great

desire' (1 Thess. 2:17).

'With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you' (Luke

The manifestation of the old nature must not be restricted to the

grosser sins of the flesh.  The educated and the refined have just the same

inherent corruption as the immoral, and their thoughts and desires, unless

touched by God's redeeming grace, likewise fall short of His standards.  The

flesh can even take to religion, but it remains flesh nevertheless, for the

Lord declared,

'That which is born of the flesh is (and remains) flesh; and that which

is born of the Spirit is (and remains) spirit' (John 3:6).

'It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing' (John

And Paul also testifies:

'For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing'

(Rom. 7:18).

It is obvious that the Word of God does not flatter human nature.

Rather does it show it in its true colours and thereby arouses all the latent

hostility and enmity that is there because of sin.  Men and women hate to be

told they are sinners in God's sight.  Nevertheless the first stage in true

understanding is to accept God's verdict on the old nature and to realize

that it is corrupt and its end is death (Rom. 8:6); thus far concerning the

old nature -- flesh.

In spite of popular theology the Scriptures give no indication that the

flesh is ever changed or improved.  Even Christians may sing:

'O Thou Spirit Divine

All my nature refine',

but the fact remains that God never does so, for it is not His will to patch

up or improve what man has marred.  Rather He commences afresh:

'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation' (2 Cor. 5:17 R.V.