The Ministry of Speck Removal

Devotional

Day 1: The Ministry of Speck Removal—Loving Confrontation in the Body

True love among believers means caring enough to gently confront one another when we see a brother or sister wandering into sin, not out of harshness or personal preference, but out of a desire to protect them from spiritual harm. Ignoring a fellow Christian’s struggles or failures is not loving; rather, God calls us to be involved in each other’s lives, helping one another grow in faith and holiness. This ministry of “speck removal” is not about judgmentalism, but about humbly and scripturally helping each other avoid shipwrecking our faith. [05:29]

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you’ve hesitated to lovingly confront about a harmful pattern or sin? What would it look like to approach them with humility and care this week?

Day 2: Confidence in Christ—Assurance of Salvation and Prayer

Believers are called to have confidence, not in their own works or efforts, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This confidence assures us of our eternal life and gives us boldness in prayer, knowing that when we ask according to God’s will, He hears and answers us. Our security is rooted in Christ alone, and this assurance empowers us to live faithfully and to intercede for others, trusting that God is sovereign and good in all His ways. [02:36]

1 John 5:13-15 (ESV)
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to shift your confidence from your own efforts to Christ’s finished work? How can you pray boldly and specifically in line with God’s will today?

Day 3: God’s Loving Discipline—Correction for Our Good

God disciplines His children out of love, using Scripture, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and the community of believers to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. Though discipline can be painful in the moment, it is always for our good, producing a harvest of righteousness and peace. Submitting to God’s correction is a mark of true sonship, and it is through this process that we grow in holiness and maturity, becoming more like Christ day by day. [13:17]

Hebrews 12:5-13 (New Living Translation)
“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.’ As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

Reflection: How have you recently experienced God’s loving discipline? What is one area where you sense God is calling you to submit to His correction for your growth?

Day 4: The Power of God’s Word and Spirit to Transform

The Scriptures and the Holy Spirit are God’s primary means of correcting, teaching, and transforming us. God’s Word is living and active, providing both milk for the immature and meat for the mature, equipping us for every good work. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, guides us into all truth, and glorifies Christ in our lives. When we allow the Word and Spirit to do their work, we are changed from the inside out, growing in Christlikeness and spiritual maturity. [15:06]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

John 16:8, 13 (ESV)
“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment… When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

Reflection: Is your Bible “lonely” or well-used? What is one practical way you can invite the Holy Spirit to use Scripture to challenge and change you this week?

Day 5: Humble Repentance and the Gift of Forgiveness

No one is without sin, and all of us are in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Humble repentance is the pathway to restoration, and it is through Christ’s finished work that we have hope, healing, and the assurance of eternal life. Whether you are the one confronting or being confronted, remember that God’s grace is sufficient, and forgiveness is always available to the repentant heart. [33:14]

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Reflection: Is there a sin you need to confess to God today? How can you embrace the freedom and cleansing that comes from His faithful forgiveness?

Sermon Summary

In Matthew 7, Jesus warns us not to judge others hypocritically, but He also calls us to care enough to help our brothers and sisters when they are in spiritual danger. True love does not stand by silently while someone’s faith is shipwrecked. Instead, it steps in, even when it’s uncomfortable, to help remove the “speck” from a friend’s eye. This is not about meddling or imposing personal preferences, but about humbly and lovingly applying God’s Word for the good of others.

Our confidence as believers is rooted in Christ alone—not in our own works or religious performance. Because of this confidence, we can approach God in prayer, knowing He hears us when we pray according to His will. But this confidence also calls us to a responsibility: when we see a fellow believer caught in sin, we are to intercede for them and, when appropriate, lovingly confront them. This is the ministry of speck removal—a ministry that requires humility, courage, and deep love.

God disciplines His children in several ways: through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and through the loving intervention of other believers. The Scriptures are powerful, living, and able to correct and train us in righteousness. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and guides us into truth. God also uses the events and circumstances of our lives, even the painful ones, to shape us into the likeness of Christ. Sometimes, He sends a brother or sister to speak a hard but necessary word, as Nathan did for David. David’s story reminds us that even the greatest among us need friends who will speak truth, helping us see what we cannot see ourselves.

This ministry is not about perfection. We all have logs in our own eyes, and none of us is without sin. But if we wait until we are perfect to help others, no one will ever be helped. Instead, we confess our own sins, rest in Christ’s forgiveness, and, in humility, offer help to others. The hope for all of us is the finished work of Christ—He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us when we confess. If you sense conviction in your heart, don’t ignore it. Surrender to Christ, believe in Him, and receive the eternal life He offers.

Key Takeaways

1. True Love Confronts for Spiritual Good Love is not passive or indifferent when a brother or sister is in spiritual danger. It is willing to step into awkward, uncomfortable conversations for the sake of another’s soul. This kind of confrontation is not about judgmentalism, but about genuine care rooted in God’s Word and the desire to see others flourish in Christ. [01:07]
2. God’s Discipline Comes in Many Forms God shapes us through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, life’s circumstances, and the loving correction of others. Each method is designed to make us more like Jesus, even when it is painful or humbling. Recognizing God’s hand in these disciplines helps us submit to His work and grow in holiness. [13:50]
3. Humility Precedes Helping Others Before we can help remove a speck from someone else’s eye, we must first examine our own hearts. This humility guards us from hypocrisy and ensures that our correction is motivated by love, not pride or personal preference. Only then can we see clearly to help others. [09:25]
4. God’s Definition of “Good” Is Christlikeness When God works all things for good, His goal is not our comfort or the fulfillment of our preferences, but our transformation into the image of Christ. Trusting His definition of good, even when we don’t understand, is an act of faith and surrender. [22:13]
5. Confession and Forgiveness Are Always Available No one is without sin, and we all need grace. When we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us. This assurance frees us to both receive correction and offer it to others, knowing our hope is in Christ’s finished work, not our own perfection. [33:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Judge Not and the Ministry of Speck Removal
[01:33] - Confidence in Christ, Not Ourselves
[02:36] - Confidence in Prayer According to God’s Will
[03:53] - Interceding for a Brother in Sin
[05:29] - The Call to Loving Confrontation
[06:16] - Real-Life Examples of Speck Removal
[07:18] - What Judgment Really Means
[08:48] - Scriptural vs. Personal Judgment
[10:10] - God’s Discipline of His Children
[13:50] - Four Ways God Disciplines Us
[15:30] - The Power and Use of Scripture
[18:21] - The Holy Spirit’s Role in Correction
[20:09] - God’s Sovereignty in Circumstances
[22:13] - Redefining “Good” as Christlikeness
[27:00] - Nathan Confronts David: A Model of Loving Correction
[33:14] - Confession, Forgiveness, and Hope in Christ
[34:39] - Invitation to Believe and Surrender

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV) —
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

- 1 John 5:13-17 (ESV)

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

- 2 Samuel 12:1-13 (ESV)

(Nathan confronts David about his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah.)

Observation Questions

In Matthew 7:1-5, what does Jesus say we must do before we try to help someone else with their sin?
According to 1 John 5:16, what should a believer do if they see a brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death?
In the story of Nathan and David (2 Samuel 12:1-13), how does Nathan approach David about his sin, and what is David’s response? [27:00]
The sermon mentions four ways God disciplines His children. What are they? [13:50]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus warn against judging others before dealing with our own sin? How does this relate to helping others in their spiritual walk? [09:25]
What does it mean to “ask and God will give him life” when we see a brother or sister in sin? How is this different from ignoring their struggle? [03:53]
Why is it important that correction among believers is rooted in humility and love, rather than personal preference or pride? [07:33]
In the example of Nathan and David, what can we learn about the role of honest confrontation in spiritual growth? [27:00]

Application Questions

The sermon says, “True love does not stand by silently while someone’s faith is shipwrecked.” Is there someone in your life you sense is drifting spiritually? What would it look like to lovingly step in, even if it’s uncomfortable? [01:07]
Before helping someone else, Jesus says to “take the log out of your own eye.” Are there areas in your life where you need to seek God’s forgiveness or correction before you can help others? How can you do this practically? [09:25]
The sermon describes four ways God disciplines us: Scripture, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and other believers. Which of these has God used most in your life recently? How did you respond? [13:50]
When was the last time someone lovingly confronted you about something in your life? How did you react? Looking back, was it helpful? [06:16]
The story of Nathan and David shows the power of honest friendship. Do you have someone in your life who can speak hard truths to you? If not, what steps could you take to build that kind of relationship? [27:00]
The sermon says, “If we wait until we are perfect to help others, no one will ever be helped.” What fears or excuses keep you from speaking up when you see a friend in trouble? How can you overcome them? [33:14]
Confession and forgiveness are always available in Christ. Is there something you need to confess to God or to a trusted friend this week? What’s holding you back? [33:14]

Sermon Clips

God is sovereign God. He's a glorious God. He's doing work in every place at all times. And we have this confidence. Because when we believe in Him, we have eternal life. We have this confidence. When we pray in accordance with His will, He will hear us. And if He hears us, He will answer. Not because we ask sincerely enough, but because we ask in agreement with His own sovereign will. [00:03:13] (26 seconds) #SovereignGodAnswers

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin, we are reluctant to even notice. And if we notice, we are extremely reluctant to speak into the lives of our brothers and sisters for fear that we would be seen unloving or harsh or nosy. But I'm saying, friends, the Scripture as we're going to read today requires the brothers and sisters to care enough to speak up into the lives and speak out for the benefit of our brothers and sisters who are in trouble spiritually. [00:05:22] (37 seconds) #SpeakUpInLove

The Scripture is powerful. It's sharp. It penetrates even to the very part of the inner parts of us. Scripture is very powerful. It awakens us to things that our natural flesh could not be awakened to. It challenges areas that culture would never challenge us in. And it accomplishes what nothing upon the earthly realm could accomplish. That we would be made like Jesus. [00:14:56] (29 seconds) #PowerOfScripture

The Holy Spirit is guiding and teaching and imparting it to us. How do we get corrected? Through events and circumstances. If we believe in the sovereignty of God then we trust the events of our lives are not by accident. If not by accident then for what purpose is your sickness or your cancer or your issue at work or your relationship problem? What is the basis and what is the purpose of it? Either God's sovereign or it's just a big it's just a big accident. [00:19:49] (41 seconds) #GodsSovereignPurpose

He's working things out by working things in. When we read Romans 8.28 which is for many of you your favorite verse and it's one of my favorites for sure. All things work together for good who love God and are called according to His purpose. That's a great verse. How's He doing this? We tend to think immaturely. We're thinking this means that God has promised me that everything I'm facing He's going to work it out. But do you ever think about what it really says here that this is a predestinating that you're becoming like Jesus. That's what He's doing. [00:21:34] (38 seconds) #WorkingThingsForGood

My great hope in this life and the life to come is the finished work of Christ on the cross. When I confess my sins to the one who died for my sins I promise this eternal hope that he will forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. That's what you need to do too by the way. [00:34:15] (24 seconds) #HopeInChrist

I knew all the facts but I got born again when all those facts got to my heart and I surrendered all to Jesus. I'm praying that you will do that today, believe upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, surrender your all to him, let him be on the ruling, let him be on the throne of your heart. [00:35:46] (26 seconds) #BornAgainBeliever

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