Temptation on SermonAudio

This sermon exhorts Christian men to combat spiritual thoughtlessness by intentionally cultivating a habit of deep reflection. It argues that failing to think leads to drifting into sin, becoming vulnerable to temptation, and damaging relationships within the home and church. The preacher urges listeners to fill their minds with biblical truth and the person of Jesus Christ rather than worldly distractions. Practical advice includes pausing before decisions, creating space for silence, and asking wise questions guided by Scripture. Ultimately, the message calls men to live deliberately and accountably before God.

The sermon warns believers against false teaching and worldly influences by urging them to remain vigilant and grounded in Scripture. It contrasts walking after the flesh with walking after the Spirit, emphasizing that while Christians struggle with daily sin, their will must align with God's righteousness. Drawing primarily from Romans 8, the message highlights the freedom from condemnation found in Christ Jesus and the assurance of His intercession. The preacher stresses that salvation requires a continuous battle against temptation, not a license to live in darkness. Ultimately, the call is to keep eyes fixed on Jesus, trusting in His grace while actively fleeing sin and pursuing holiness.

Pastor Mark Hogan taught from Matthew 6:9-13 on the Lord's Prayer, explaining that Jesus gave this pattern for prayer in the context of warning against two faulty types: performative prayer (like the hypocrites who prayed to be seen) and perfunctory prayer (like the heathen who used vain repetitions). Hogan emphasized that Christian prayer must be real, with hearts and minds engaged in true communion with God. He outlined the prayer's structure: an address ("Our Father in heaven"), six petitions divided into three about God's priorities (hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done) and three about our needs (daily bread, forgiveness, deliverance from temptation), and a conclusion. Hogan stressed the importance of this ordering, correcting both self-focused prayer and the notion that God doesn't care about small needs. He also noted the communal focus through plural pronouns. In the address, Hogan expounded the doctrine of adoption—that through Christ we become God's children and pray with childlike trust and dependence, while also recognizing God's sovereign authority. The phrase "in heaven" balances intimacy with transcendence, teaching us to approach God with both confidence and humble reverence, knowing He alone has power to provide, forgive, and keep us.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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."