Why can't dressing up old Adam make him acceptable to God?
Dressing up old Adam only changes outward appearance; his true nature remains unchanged. When the Holy Spirit and the Word of God or the Law hit, the veneer flies off, revealing what he really is. Those in the flesh cannot please God, so external polish cannot make him acceptable.
Les explains that even if people dress up old Adam and make him look real nice on the outside, his true nature is unchanged. Using the illustration of a show horse prepared for parades and shows, Les notes that if something upsets the animal, it will explode with its true nature. In the same way, when the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, the Law of God, finally hit old Adam where it hurts, the veneer flies off, and he is seen for what he really is. This has to happen for a person to come out of darkness and into the light of the Gospel. Scripture then says that those in the flesh cannot please God.