In the Word of God certain words are used apparently synonymously, or else so nearly alike as to be confounded by many. Certain words connected with evil have thus been misunderstood.

(1) Sins. "The forgiveness sins" (Eph. 1:7). These are the actual offenses of the life, in thought, word, and deed, forgiven through the blood of Christ.

(2) Sin. "Condemned sin in the flesh;" "Sin shall not have dominion over you " (Rom. 8:3; 6:14). In these passages it is the root and the principle of sin. Sin is the principle which has sway, the root that produces the sins. This is never forgiven, but judged, condemned by the cross.

(3) The old man. " Our old man is crucified with Him " (Rom. 6:6). The old man is the man connected with Adam. / as a child of Adam. This man in God's sight is dead, crucified.

(4) The Flesh. "The works of the flesh are manifest" (Gal. 5:19). This is the old nature, which remains unchanged in the believer, and which he must mortify, keep under. The sentence of death is upon it, and no good thing can come from it. "That which is born of the flesh, is flesh " (John 3:6).

Although the flesh is in us, we are not "in the flesh, but in the Spirit;" and, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, have a perfect standing before God, and are sealed with the Holy Spirit. We are not therefore debtors to the flesh to live after its lusts, but to walk in the Spirit. The promise then is, "Ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh."