Carnality on SermonAudio

In Part 4 of "Calling Out Carnality," Keith Voyles preaches from James 2:1–13 about how favoritism and respect of persons reveal carnality in a believer's life. Keith explains that Christians may profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ while behaving in ways that misrepresent His character. One clear example is treating people differently because of wealth, appearance, social position, influence, talent, or personal benefit. The message warns that favoritism always produces two results: someone is idolized while someone else is isolated. One person is welcomed, honored, and included, while another is ignored, pushed aside, or treated as inferior. Keith stresses that this conduct is not merely socially wrong; it damages the testimony of Christ. Christ does not show partiality. Although He is the Lord of glory, He humbled Himself, became a servant, and freely receives whosoever will come to Him. Therefore, believers cannot claim His faith while refusing to display His character toward others. Keith applies the passage directly to conduct within the church. The rich man in good clothing must not receive better treatment than the poor man in vile raiment. Both were souls for whom Christ died. Showing preference because of what someone can provide—money, influence, connections, status, or talent—is carnal and selfish. The sermon also warns against cliques and social divisions among God's people. Christians must not build exclusive circles that welcome those they prefer while shutting out others in the same body. Genuine Christian fellowship requires humility, mercy, equal treatment, and a willingness to serve people regardless of their position. Primary text: James 2:1–13

In this message, Keith Voyles preaches about the temptations that Christians commonly fall into and the danger of allowing the flesh to gain control. The sermon explains that temptation itself is not sin, but yielding to it leads a person into sin. Temptation often appeals to a believer's own desires, weaknesses, and appetites. What begins as a thought, attraction, or seemingly small compromise can grow into sinful action when it is entertained instead of resisted. Keith warns Christians not to become overconfident in their own strength. A believer who thinks he cannot fall is already in danger. The message calls God's people to recognize their weak areas, remain watchful, pray, avoid situations that feed temptation, and depend upon the Lord rather than the flesh. The sermon also emphasizes that God provides a way of escape in temptation. Victory comes through submission to God, obedience to Scripture, and walking in the Spirit. Christians must call temptation and sin what God calls them and refuse to excuse carnal behavior. Primary texts: James 1:13–16 and 1 Corinthians 10:12–13. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." — James 1:14, KJV "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." — 1 Corinthians 10:12, KJV

In Part 6 of "Calling Out Carnality," Keith Voyles preaches from James 3 about how the tongue exposes the flesh. He warns that teachers are held to greater accountability, that actions must agree with words, and that an uncontrolled tongue spreads hypocrisy, gossip, division, and spiritual damage. Since no man can tame the tongue, victory requires the Holy Ghost and continual dependence upon God. Primary text: James 3:1–8.

In Part 7 of "Calling Out Carnality," Keith Voyles continues in James 3, showing that the tongue reveals the condition of the heart. He warns against using the same mouth to bless God and curse, criticize, or tear down people made in God's image. Since words flow from the heart, a corrupt mouth exposes an unguarded heart. The message calls believers to reject this contradiction and place their speech under the control of the Holy Ghost. Primary text: James 3:9–12.

In Part 5 of "Calling Out Carnality," Keith Voyles preaches from James 2:14–26 about the difference between professed faith and genuine saving faith. He explains that carnal people resist accountability for whether their faith is real. A person may know correct doctrine, speak religiously, and become emotional, yet still show no obedience, spiritual growth, or changed life. Works do not earn salvation, but they do reveal it. Genuine faith produces fruit, obedience, and transformation. Faith without works is empty and dead. Using the illustration of trusting a chair, Keith shows that belief is proven by action. Saying the chair will hold you means little until you sit down. In the same way, true faith in Christ is demonstrated through obedience. The message calls every listener to examine whether his faith is merely professed or truly possessed. Primary text: James 2:14–26. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." — James 2:17, KJV

In Part 9 of "Calling Out Carnality," Keith Voyles preaches from James 5 about fraudulent treasures. He warns against allowing money, possessions, and personal gain to define a person's life. Wealth itself is not sinful, but covetousness, fraud, selfish ambition, and living only to gain reveal carnality. The message calls believers to seek riches in Christ, live contentedly, treat workers honestly, and submit every plan and possession to the will of God. Primary text: James 5:1–6.

In Part 8 of "Calling Out Carnality," Keith Voyles preaches from James 4 about troubled fellowship caused by unchecked lust, envy, pride, and selfish ambition. He explains that outward wars begin with an inward war in the heart, and that carnal desires can divide homes and churches. The message calls believers to humble themselves, submit to God, resist pride, and depend upon the greater grace God gives to overcome the flesh. Primary text: James 4:1–10.

In Part 3 of "Calling Out Carnality," Keith Voyles continues examining how the flesh influences a Christian's thinking, decisions, attitudes, and conduct. The message warns that carnality is not limited to outward or scandalous sins. It begins when believers follow their own desires, reasoning, emotions, and appetites instead of submitting themselves to the Word of God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. When the flesh is continually fed, spiritual discernment weakens, temptation becomes harder to resist, and sinful behavior begins to appear normal or excusable. Keith challenges Christians to identify the areas where the flesh has gained influence, quit defending disobedience, and deliberately walk in the Spirit. Spiritual victory requires honest self-examination, repentance, prayer, separation from influences that strengthen temptation, and obedience to Scripture. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." — Galatians 5:16, KJV Key texts: 1 Corinthians 3:1–3; Romans 8:5–8; Galatians 5:16–17. Strong's: "Carnal" in 1 Corinthians 3:3 is G4559, sarkikos, meaning fleshly—governed by human nature rather than by the Spirit. First mention: The first KJV use of "carnal" is Romans 7:14: "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."

The sermon challenges the church's tendency to elevate human leaders to the status of idols, urging believers to redirect their admiration and worship exclusively to Jesus Christ. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, the speaker highlights how spiritual immaturity manifests in factionalism and personality cults rather than devotion to God. He warns against placing confidence in men who are inherently flawed and fallible, emphasizing that only Christ is worthy of such exaltation. The message calls for a return to biblical priorities where ministers are respected but never placed on pedestals that obscure the glory of God. Ultimately, the preacher asserts that true spiritual direction and deliverance come solely from Jesus, who remains faithful when human leaders inevitably fail.

VERDAD PRINCIPAL: Pues aunque andamos en la carne, no militamos según la carne; porque las armas de nuestra milicia no son carnales, sino poderosas en Dios para la destrucción de fortalezas, (2 Cor 10:3,4) Escrituras tomadas de: La Biblia de las Américas® (LBLA®), Copyright © 1986, 1995, 1997 por The Lockman Foundation. Usadas con permiso. www.LBLA.com