POST 3: The Measure You Use Returns to You

 

POST 3: The Measure You Use Returns to You

YouTube Title

"The EXACT Measure You Use Will Be Used Against You! | Part 3 of 10"

Video Description

Yahshua taught a powerful principle in Matthew 7:2: "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you." In this third installment, we explore how the exact standard you apply to others becomes the standard applied to you. From judgment to mercy, from generosity to stinginess, the measure you use determines the measure you receive. This is divine mathematics at work.

🔑 Key Scripture: Matthew 7:2, Galatians 6:7, Luke 6:38 📖 Theme: The Reciprocal Nature of Our Actions ⚖️ Principle: The Standard You Set Becomes Your Standard

#YahshuaTeachings #DivineJustice #Sowing #Reaping #BiblicalPrinciples

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Opening Hook

Imagine a measuring cup that you use to pour out judgment, criticism, or betrayal toward others. Now imagine that same cup being filled and poured back over your own head. This is exactly what Yahshua taught in Matthew 7:2: "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Today we explore this precise, mathematical principle of divine justice—the measure you use returns to you exactly.

Main Content

Yahshua' Teaching on Measurement: Matthew 7:1-2

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

These words from Yahshua in the Sermon on the Mount reveal a fundamental principle of Yahuah's kingdom: reciprocity of measurement. Yahshua isn't just talking about judgment in the abstract—He's describing a precise spiritual law that operates with mathematical accuracy. The exact measure you use toward others will be the exact measure used toward you.

Notice Yahshua doesn't say "a similar measure" or "approximately the same measure." He says "the measure you use"—the very same one, the identical standard, the exact proportion. This is divine precision. Yahuah's justice system operates with perfect accuracy, ensuring that what you give out is exactly what you receive back.

The Context: Judgment and Criticism

Yahshua speaks these words in the context of judging others. He's addressing the human tendency to criticize, condemn, and find fault with others while ignoring our own failures. The Pharisees were masters of this—they held others to impossible standards while excusing their own violations.

But Yahshua reveals that this approach backfires. When you judge others harshly, you set the standard by which you will be judged. When you show no mercy in your assessment of others, you will receive no mercy in the assessment of you. When you magnify others' small faults while minimizing your own large ones, Yahuah will reverse the lens—magnifying your faults and minimizing your excuses.

The measure you use in judging others becomes the measure used in judging you. This is why Yahshua warns against judgment—not because judgment itself is wrong, but because the standard you set for others becomes the standard set for you.

The Agricultural Principle: Galatians 6:7-8

Paul reinforces this principle using agricultural imagery: "Do not be deceived: Yahuah is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Notice Paul's warning: "Do not be deceived." Why this caution? Because human nature wants to believe we can escape this principle. We think we can sow one thing and reap another. We imagine we can plant criticism and harvest praise, sow betrayal and reap loyalty, give judgment and receive mercy.

Paul says this is deception. Yahuah is not mocked—He cannot be fooled or manipulated. The harvest corresponds exactly to the seed. You cannot plant corn and harvest wheat. You cannot sow discord and reap peace. You cannot measure out judgment and receive mercy.

The agricultural metaphor is perfect because it illustrates several key truths:

• The harvest matches the seed: You reap what you sow, not something different
• The harvest multiplies the seed: You reap more than you sow—both blessing and cursing multiply
• The harvest takes time: There's a delay between sowing and reaping, but the harvest is certain
• The harvest is proportional: The amount you sow determines the amount you reap

The Positive Application: Luke 6:38

While Yahshua' teaching on measurement can sound threatening, it also contains tremendous promise. Luke 6:38 reveals the positive side: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

The same principle that ensures judgment returns to the judgmental also ensures generosity returns to the generous. The measure you use in giving determines the measure used in giving back to you. If you give generously, you receive generously. If you give grudgingly, you receive grudgingly.

Notice the description: "pressed down, shaken together, running over." This is the imagery of a merchant measuring grain. When you press it down and shake it together, you can fit more in the container. When it's running over, you're getting more than the container can hold. This is Yahuah's generosity toward those who are generous.

The principle works both ways. Use a small measure of mercy, receive a small measure of mercy. Use a large measure of grace, receive a large measure of grace. Use a stingy measure of forgiveness, receive stingy forgiveness. Use an abundant measure of love, receive abundant love.

The Precision of Divine Mathematics

What makes this principle so powerful is its precision. Yahuah's justice system operates with mathematical accuracy. Consider these examples:

In Judgment: If you judge others for small infractions while excusing your own large ones, Yahuah will reverse this—judging your large infractions while others' small ones are excused. The Pharisees who strained out gnats while swallowing camels (Matthew 23:24) found themselves judged by the very standard they applied to others.

In Mercy: If you show mercy to others in their failures, you will receive mercy in your failures. The measure of mercy you extend becomes the measure of mercy you receive. This is why Yahshua taught us to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12).

In Generosity: If you give generously to others in their need, others will give generously to you in your need. The widow who gave her last two coins (Mark 12:41-44) gave everything, and Yahshua promised she would receive everything in return.

In Betrayal: If you betray others, measuring out disloyalty and treachery, you will receive betrayal measured back to you. Judas betrayed Yahshua and received betrayal from his own conscience and the religious leaders who used him.

The Multiplying Effect

One crucial aspect of this principle is that the measure doesn't just return—it multiplies. Galatians 6:7 says you "reap" what you sow, and reaping always produces more than was planted. One seed produces many seeds. One act produces many consequences.

This multiplication works in both directions:

• Negative multiplication: One act of betrayal can produce multiple betrayals in return. One harsh judgment can produce many harsh judgments against you. One destructive word can produce many destructive words spoken about you.
• Positive multiplication: One act of kindness can produce multiple kindnesses in return. One generous gift can produce many generous gifts to you. One word of encouragement can produce many encouraging words spoken about you.

This is why Scripture emphasizes sowing righteousness. Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love." When you sow righteousness, you don't just reap righteousness—you reap steadfast love, which is greater than what you sowed. Yahuah multiplies the good measure.

The Betrayers' Measure

Applying this principle to our series theme—people in the betrayers' camp betraying them—we see how the measure principle operates. When someone joins a group of betrayers, they adopt the measure of betrayal. They use the standard of disloyalty, treachery, and self-interest.

But here's the critical insight: that same measure will be used within the betrayers' camp. If the standard is "betray others for personal gain," then everyone in the camp operates by that standard—including toward each other. The measure of betrayal they use against outsiders becomes the measure used among themselves.

This is why betrayers' camps are inherently unstable. They've established betrayal as their measuring standard. When pressure comes, when resources are scarce, when self-interest demands it, they apply their own standard to each other. They measure out betrayal to their fellow betrayers because that's the measure they've chosen to use.

Historical Examples of the Measure Principle

Haman and Mordecai (Esther 7:10): Haman measured out death for Mordecai, building a gallows 75 feet high. The exact measure he prepared for Mordecai was measured back to him—he was hanged on his own gallows. The height he chose for Mordecai's death became the height of his own death.

The Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35): Yahshua told a parable about a servant who was forgiven a massive debt but refused to forgive a small debt owed to him. The measure of mercy he refused to extend was the measure of mercy refused to him. His master reinstated the original debt and threw him in prison. He received exactly what he gave—no mercy.

Adoni-bezek (Judges 1:6-7): This Canaanite king had cut off the thumbs and big toes of seventy kings, making them gather scraps under his table. When he was captured, the Israelites cut off his thumbs and big toes. He himself acknowledged: "As I have done, so Yahuah has repaid me." The exact measure he used was measured back to him.

Pharaoh (Exodus 1-14): Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew baby boys thrown into the Nile River. Yahuah's judgment on Egypt culminated in the death of all Egyptian firstborn sons and Pharaoh's army drowning in the Red Sea. The measure of death Pharaoh measured out to Hebrew children was measured back to Egyptian children and soldiers.

The Escape Route: Changing Your Measure

The sobering reality of this principle is matched by its hopeful promise: you can change your measure. If you don't like the measure being used toward you, change the measure you're using toward others.

Want more mercy? Show more mercy. Want more grace? Extend more grace. Want more forgiveness? Forgive more. Want more generosity? Give more generously. Want more loyalty? Be more loyal. The measure you use determines the measure you receive.

This is why Yahshua taught, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" (Matthew 5:7). It's not just that merciful people deserve mercy—it's that the measure of mercy they use becomes the measure of mercy they receive. The principle is built into the fabric of Yahuah's justice system.

The Warning for Betrayers

For those in the betrayers' camp, this principle carries a stark warning: the measure of betrayal you use will be measured back to you. If you betray others quickly and completely, you will be betrayed quickly and completely. If you betray without remorse, you will be betrayed without remorse. If you betray for small gain, you will be betrayed for small gain.

The measure you've chosen—betrayal—will become the measure used in your own life. And because you're surrounded by other betrayers who use the same measure, the betrayal will come from within your own camp. You've set the standard, and that standard will be applied to you.

The Hope for the Betrayed

For those who have been betrayed, this principle offers comfort and guidance. First, it assures you that your betrayers will face the same measure they used against you. The betrayal they measured out will be measured back to them. You don't need to execute this justice—Yahuah's system will ensure it happens.

Second, it guides your response. Don't adopt the betrayer's measure. Don't become a betrayer yourself. Don't measure out revenge and treachery. Instead, choose a different measure—mercy, grace, and forgiveness. This doesn't mean excusing the betrayal or pretending it didn't hurt. It means choosing not to use betrayal as your measuring standard.

When you choose mercy as your measure, you position yourself to receive mercy. When you choose grace as your measure, you position yourself to receive grace. The measure you use in response to betrayal determines the measure you receive in your own life.

Practical Applications

How do we apply this principle in daily life?

1. In Relationships: Before criticizing your spouse, friend, or family member, ask: "Would I want this same standard of criticism applied to me?" The measure of grace or judgment you use in relationships will be the measure used toward you.

2. In Business: Before taking advantage of a customer, employee, or partner, ask: "Would I want to be treated this way?" The measure of fairness or exploitation you use will be measured back to you.

3. In Church: Before gossiping about another believer or judging their struggles, ask: "Would I want my struggles exposed and judged this way?" The measure of confidentiality and grace you use will be used toward you.

4. In Conflict: Before seeking revenge or retaliation, ask: "What measure do I want to receive?" If you want mercy, show mercy. If you want grace, extend grace. The measure you use in conflict determines the measure you receive.

5. In Generosity: Before deciding how much to give, ask: "What measure of generosity do I want to receive?" Remember Luke 6:38—the measure you use in giving will be measured back to you, pressed down and running over.

The Ultimate Measure: The Cross

The cross of Yahshua HaMashiach reveals both the severity and the mercy of this principle. On one hand, it shows that sin must be measured and judged—Yahshua bore the full measure of Yahuah's wrath against sin. On the other hand, it shows that Yahuah's measure of mercy exceeds our measure of sin.

Romans 5:20 says, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." Yahuah's measure of grace is greater than our measure of sin. His measure of mercy exceeds our measure of rebellion. His measure of love surpasses our measure of hatred.

This is the hope of the gospel: while we deserve to receive the measure of judgment we've earned through sin, Yahshua took that measure upon Himself. And now, through faith in Him, we receive not the measure of judgment we deserve but the measure of grace we don't deserve.

Key Takeaways

1. The measure you use returns exactly: Yahshua taught precise reciprocity in Matthew 7:2
2. You reap what you sow: Galatians 6:7 confirms the agricultural principle
3. The measure multiplies: What you give out returns multiplied, both good and bad
4. Betrayers use betrayal as their measure: This ensures they betray each other
5. You can change your measure: Choose mercy, grace, and generosity
6. The principle works positively too: Generous measures return generously (Luke 6:38)
7. The cross offers a new measure: Through HaMashiach, we receive grace instead of judgment

Reflection Questions

1. What measure are you currently using toward others—judgment or mercy?
2. Are you satisfied with the measure being used toward you? If not, what needs to change?
3. In what areas are you sowing seeds you don't want to harvest?
4. How can you increase your measure of grace, mercy, and generosity?

Scripture Memory Verse

"For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." - Matthew 7:2

Call to Action

Examine the measure you're using today. In your relationships, your work, your church, your conflicts—what standard are you applying to others? Remember, that exact standard will be applied to you. Choose wisely. Use the measure of mercy, grace, and love, for that is the measure you will receive in return.

Closing Prayer

"Lord, help us choose our measure carefully. Give us the wisdom to extend the same grace to others that we hope to receive. Protect us from harsh judgment, stinginess, and betrayal. Help us measure out mercy, generosity, and loyalty, knowing that these measures will return to us. Thank You for the measure of grace You've shown us through Yahshua HaMashiach. In His name, Amen."