In first corinthians Paul at the very beginning of the book makes it clear that he is writing to both saints and to babes in Christ:
1 Cor. 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth,
to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,
called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
It is is also clearly stated in the first chapter that it is possible through Jesus to be blameless :
1 Cor 1:8 Who
shall also confirm you unto the end, that
ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is put forth as a futur promise that is to expected in this life.
Look also at the third chapter:
1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as
unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions,
are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Go back to chapter two and notice that again Paul points that not of the corinth church was carnal:
1 Cor 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1 Cor was not written to just those who were sanctified but also to those who were saved but still carnal (unsacntified).
So to respond to the passage that you posted it can be seen that to those who were yet unsanctifed Paul is giving instruction to put down the flesh while at the same time to those who were sanctified Paul was encourageing them to reamin sanctified.
The writer does not here say that we must constantly battle with the flesh which would be the desire to sin but rather here he is speaking of actual sins and shortcomings. Even if he were speaking of the flesh it would not matter because he instructs his readers to lay aside or as the word means " to cast off". Anytime i have cast something off it was gone and i didnt have to carry it anymore. The image would be similar to a carrrying some burden then putting it down. Ince you have put it down it is no longer a burden.
Also notice that in the next verse we see how this is accompllished. Only through Jesus can we be free from carnality or any other sin.
I dont really understand the relevance here?
This passage from James is a great one to show the reality of the carnal nature in christians but it is also a wonderful passage to show that we may and should be free from it. Notice the very next verse that you did not post:
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands,
ye sinners; and
purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Notice here heart purity is commanded. It should also be seen that this command is not given to sinners since they also receive instruction in this verse but it is addressed to those who have been saved and now are being pulled two ways. The wording here is perfect for those who find themselves in the struggle mentioned in
Romans 7.
Once again a great verse to show that in a christian there still rages a war but continue to read and you again see that the war can be won:
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
We are to die unto sin and sinful passions. If we are dead to them how can we struggle with them?
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