Imagican said:
Are we capable of changing our fleshly ways and 'take on' that which is holy? Are we, as mere mortals, capable of reading and understanding God's will and take this information and successfully apply it to our lives in a meaningful manor?
I might be splitting hairs, but the answer to the question relates to several things. First, who is the "we?" If the we includes unbelievers, of course the unbeliever is totally in bondage to sin.
A second question involves the word "fleshly ways." Assuming that the "we" refers to only Christians, if the question is can a Christian change is own fleshly nature. We then have an obvious answer. We can no more change our own nature then sprout wings and fly, or as someone quoted the verse of the lepard changing his spots.
After regeneration, when God has changed the nature of the Christian, we still have a sin nature and can serve the flesh so very easily. Yet with the help of the Holy Spirit, the word of God, and the many ministries of the Holy Spirit, I think it is possibly for Christians to lead lives that are not fleshly or carnal. In this statement I am not saying we can be sinless, but I think God will enable us to lead lives that are not carnal and fleshly.
Such a life might be rare, I see so many Christians under the influence of the law or some law. The law makes the flesh come alive, sin revives, and the christian dies spiritually and serves the flesh.
So if I am understanding the question right (maybe doubtful?), I would say yes, with the work of God, the Christian can lead the spiritual life, and not the fleshly life.