Why can't believers live victoriously over the flesh on their own?
Believers cannot live victoriously over the old nature by their own strength because victory requires the Pneuma Hagion, the power from on high exercised through the person of the Holy Spirit. Self-effort and law-keeping are insufficient; by faith they must draw on the Holy Spirit and let Him run the race.
Les teaches that the Holy Spirit is the person, but the believer needs the Pneuma Hagion—the power from on high exercised through the person of the Holy Spirit—to confront the old nature and live victoriously in the flesh. By faith, the believer can say, “Lord, I have the Holy Spirit; I can draw on Him,” and does not have to force himself to be a law keeper. It then comes naturally to let the Spirit run the race for us. In contrast, those after the flesh mind the things of the flesh, living in the realm of old Adam and knowing nothing of God’s saving grace.