Measure of Judgment - Matthew 7:2, Romans 2:1 | RaymaSongs

Measure of Judgment

Click to Play

0 plays

📖Matthew 7:2•Romans 2:1

Celtic Baroque Gospel judgment mercy self reflection

0

Sign in to like or dislike songs

Lyrics

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Judge not, that you be not judged. With the same measure you give, it will be given back to you. The standard you use will be the standard used on you. Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. The measure you give will be the measure you receive. Judge not, that you be not judged. With the same measure you give, it will be given back to you. The standard you use will be the standard used on you.

📜

Devotional & Insight

1. The Foundation (Introduction)

“For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

— *Matthew 7:2 (ESV)*

“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.”

— *Romans 2:1 (ESV)*

The theme before us is the measure of judgment. It is a spiritual law established by God:

The standard you apply to others is the standard God will apply to you.

This is not merely a moral recommendation. It is a covenant principle. It governs:

How God will deal with us in this life.

How we will be assessed at the judgment seat of Christ.

The degree to which we experience mercy, forgiveness, and even deliverance.

Many believers hinder their own progress, healing, and deliverance by the way they judge others. They set a harsh standard for others, then encounter that same standard when they seek mercy from God. Jesus makes this principle explicit in Matthew 7, and Paul confirms and expands it in Romans 2.

We will examine what Scripture says, look at key words in the original languages, and then apply this practically. Because if we do not adjust our measure, God will not adjust His toward us.

2. The Historical & Biblical Context

### Matthew 7:2 – The Sermon on the Mount

The words, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you” are spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7).

Audience:

Primarily His disciples, with crowds listening in (Matthew 5:1–2).

People familiar with the Law of Moses, religious traditions of the Pharisees, and the concept of divine judgment.

Purpose:

Jesus is describing the righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).

He is exposing inner attitudes, not just outer behavior.

He is moving judgment from external acts to internal motives.

In Matthew 7:1–5, Jesus deals specifically with personal relationships among believers:

> “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged…”

He then illustrates with the speck and the log: the man who sees a small fault in his brother, but ignores a greater fault in himself.

So the context is:

Not abolishing all forms of discernment.

Not removing all moral standards.

But forbidding a hypocritical, condemning spirit in personal judgment.

### Romans 2:1 – Paul Confronts Religious Hypocrisy

Romans 1 describes the gross sins of the Gentile world: idolatry, immorality, perversion. Many religious Jews of Paul’s day would agree strongly with that diagnosis. But then Paul turns to the religious person in chapter 2:

> “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges…” (Romans 2:1)

Context:

Paul is addressing the self-righteous, especially Jews who boasted in the Law (see Romans 2:17–23).

They condemned Gentile sinners but practiced the same sins in more “respectable” forms.

He shows that possessing the Law or judging others will not exempt them from God’s judgment.

So in both passages:

Jesus and Paul confront religious people who judge others while ignoring their own sin.

They both state that our judgment of others sets the measure God uses for us.

The lyrics you provided weave these Scriptures together into one central message:

The measure you give will be the measure you receive.

3. Word Study (Hebrew/Greek)

We will consider two key Greek words from the main passages:

1. “Judge” – krinō (κρίνω)

2. “Measure” – metron (μέτρον)

### 1. “Judge” – krinō (κρίνω)

The Greek verb *krinō* means:

To separate, distinguish.

To decide, to evaluate.

To judge, to pass sentence, to condemn.

It has a broad range. It can describe:

Right discernment (John 7:24 – “judge with right judgment”).

Legal judgment in a court.

Condemning, harsh criticism.

So, when Jesus says in Matthew 7:1, “Judge not,” He is not abolishing all *krinō*. He Himself says in John 7:24:

> “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

In other words:

There is a forbidden kind of judging (hypocritical, self-righteous, condemning).

There is a required kind of judging (righteous, according to God’s Word, with humility).

The lyrics reflect this by including:

> “Do not judge by appearances,

> but judge with right judgment.”

Right judgment:

Starts with ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31 – “But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.”).

Is based on God’s standard, not our tradition or preference.

Is free from hypocrisy and double standards.

Wrong judgment:

Highlights others’ sin while hiding our own.

Uses a harsher measure for others than for ourselves.

Invites God to apply that same harsh standard to us.

### 2. “Measure” – metron (μέτρον)

The word *metron* means:

A measure, a standard of measurement.

The instrument or rule used to measure.

The quantity measured out.

In Matthew 7:2:

> “with the measure (*metron*) you use it will be measured (*metrēthēsetai*) to you.”

This means:

The way you estimate, assess, evaluate others.

The “yardstick” you use for their faults, failures, and motives.

The “portion” of mercy or severity you extend.

This is not vague. Jesus says:

God will take your metron and use it back on you.

So if your metron is:

Harsh, unforgiving, quick to suspect the worst – that becomes God’s metron toward you.

Gracious, slow to anger, willing to forgive – that becomes God’s metron toward you.

This aligns with other Scriptures:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13)

The lyrics repeat:

> “With the same measure you give,

> it will be given back to you.

> The standard you use

> will be the standard used on you.”

This is not merely poetic. It is a stated law of the Kingdom.

4. Theological Exposition (Stanza by Stanza)

Let us walk through the key themes in the lyrics and connect them to the wider testimony of Scripture.

### A. “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged…”

> “For with the judgment you pronounce

> you will be judged,

> and with the measure you use

> it will be measured to you.”

This is Matthew 7:2 almost verbatim.

The truth here is *reciprocal judgment*:

Your own words return to you.

Your own standard becomes your test.

Jesus states a similar principle in Matthew 12:36–37:

> “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

> for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Your mouth can:

Open a door of mercy for you by how you speak of others.

Or construct a courtroom where you end up in the dock.

Spiritual warfare application:

Demons are legalistic. They look for grounds of accusation.

When you habitually accuse, slander, and judge others, you align yourself with the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10).

You step into Satan’s territory, and you forfeit spiritual protection.

The one who judges harshly:

Finds it difficult to receive forgiveness.

Lives under a sense of condemnation, because he has built it with his own words.

### B. “Judge not, that you be not judged… The standard you use will be the standard used on you.”

> “Judge not, that you be not judged.

> With the same measure you give,

> it will be given back to you.

> The standard you use

> will be the standard used on you.”

This section emphasizes two realities:

1. Judgment is inevitable – either now or later.

2. We decide in part how that judgment will feel.

It is not that we will avoid all judgment. Scripture is clear:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

“Each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

But Jesus says: you can influence the manner of that judgment by how you treat others now.

A parallel in Luke 6:36–38:

> “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

> Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned;

> forgive, and you will be forgiven;

> give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over…”

Many quote verse 38 for financial giving, but the context is relational:

Mercy given → mercy received.

Judgment given → judgment received.

Condemnation given → condemnation received.

Forgiveness given → forgiveness received.

The principle is measure for measure.

### C. “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

This line comes from John 7:24.

Here Jesus commands us to judge, but in the right way:

Not by outward appearance.

Not by external religion.

Not by cultural prejudice.

Not by first impressions or rumors.

“Right judgment” (*krisin dikaiān*) means:

Judgment aligned with God’s righteousness.

Grounded in God’s Word, not human tradition.

Informed by humility and self-examination.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they:

Focused on external rituals (washing, tithing herbs).

Ignored weightier matters: justice, mercy, faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

Judged Jesus as a lawbreaker for healing on the Sabbath, while ignoring their own hypocrisy.

Application to us:

We may judge a person’s hairstyle, dress, background, or struggles, without seeing their heart.

God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

When we judge by appearances, we oppose God’s own method of evaluation.

So the lyrics hold a tension:

“Judge not…” (avoid condemning, hypocritical judgment).

“…but judge with right judgment” (exercise discernment, starting with yourself, under the authority of the Word).

### D. “You, therefore, have no excuse… for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself…”

> “You, therefore, have no excuse,

> you who pass judgment on someone else,

> for at whatever point you judge another,

> you are condemning yourself,

> because you who pass judgment

> do the same things.”

This is Romans 2:1 amplified. Notice the logic:

The very area where you judge another is the area where you stand condemned.

Why? Because you commit the same things.

Now someone may protest, “I don’t commit the same sins!” But Paul is not speaking merely about identical acts. He is speaking also about:

The same nature.

The same root sins (pride, lust, greed, idolatry, envy, unbelief).

Examples:

You may not commit visible adultery, but indulge in lust in your heart (Matthew 5:27–28).

You may not commit obvious theft, but “rob God” by withholding what is His (Malachi 3:8).

You may not bow to idols, but give first place in your heart to money, reputation, or ministry itself.

So Paul says: when you judge another, you reveal that you know the standard.

And in knowing it, yet failing to keep it yourself, you remove all excuse.

This is devastating for religious pride. It means:

Knowing the Bible does not excuse us if we use it as a weapon on others while ignoring its demands on us.

Our insight into others’ sins does not promote us; it indicts us, if we do not repent ourselves.

### E. “The measure you give will be the measure you receive.”

> “The measure you give

> will be the measure you receive.”

This returns to the central refrain. It is both a warning and a promise.

Warning:

If you sow judgment, you reap judgment.

If you sow condemnation, you reap condemnation.

Promise:

If you sow mercy, you reap mercy.

If you sow forgiveness, you reap forgiveness.

Galatians 6:7–8 confirms:

> “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap…”

Many are praying for mercy, yet sowing harshness in their relationships.

Many seek freedom from condemnation, yet feed on criticism, gossip, and accusation.

Spiritual reality:

Every judgment you make is a seed.

Every standard you apply is a measure.

That seed will grow. That measure will return.

The Kingdom principle is not “I will get what others deserve,” but “I will get what I have measured out.”

5. Practical Application: How to Walk This Out

Now we move from doctrine to practice. How do we change our measure?

I will outline four steps. Each step involves repentance, renewal of mind, and active obedience.

### Step 1: Judge Yourself Before You Judge Others

Paul says:

> “But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:31)

First, we must:

Redirect the energy we spend judging others toward examining our own hearts.

Ask the Holy Spirit to search us (Psalm 139:23–24).

Compare ourselves with the Word, not with other people.

Practical actions:

When you feel a strong impulse to criticize or judge someone, stop and ask:

“Lord, is there a similar issue in me?”

Confess what the Holy Spirit shows you, by name, as sin.

Repent: change your mind and direction in that area.

This kind of self-judgment:

Does not lead to despair, but to cleansing (1 John 1:9).

Disarms Satan’s accusations, because you walk in the light.

### Step 2: Renounce the Spirit of Accusation and Unforgiveness

Second, we must:

Recognize that habitual judgment, bitterness, and accusation open the door to demonic oppression.

Renounce agreement with the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).

Practical actions:

Declare aloud: “I renounce the sin of judging and condemning others. I renounce all bitterness, unforgiveness, and accusation.”

Name specific people you have judged harshly or held resentment toward.

Forgive them from the heart (Matthew 18:35), choosing to release them from your judgment.

Forgiveness does not:

Call evil good.

Remove all consequences in this world.

But forgiveness:

Releases people from your personal claim against them.

Transfers their case into God’s hands.

Frees you from being chained to their offense.

As you forgive, you change your measure.

### Step 3: Adopt God’s Measure – Mercy as Your Default

Third, we must:

Consciously adopt God’s measure in our dealings with others.

Jesus says:

> “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

This implies:

Mercy must be our starting point, not suspicion.

We interpret others’ actions in the best possible light consistent with truth, not the worst.

Practical actions:

When confronted with someone’s failure, ask:

“How has God treated me in my failures?”

Then apply that same mercy practically.

When tempted to say something negative, ask:

“Would I want this said about me in the same way?”

If not, keep silent or speak in a way you would be willing to receive.

You are training your inner measure:

To be quick to forgive.

Slow to anger.

Ready to believe the best, yet anchored in truth (1 Corinthians 13:4–7).

### Step 4: Practice Right Judgment – Discern, But Do Not Condemn

Fourth, we must:

Not abandon discernment, but practice right judgment.

We must distinguish between:

Judging hearts (which belongs to God alone).

Judging conduct and doctrine by the Word (which believers must do).

Practical actions:

Test teaching and prophecy by Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1).

Address sin in the church with humility, aiming at restoration, not destruction (Galatians 6:1).

Avoid two extremes:

Tolerance of clear sin under the excuse of “not judging.”

Harshness, where every failure becomes a case for condemnation.

Right judgment:

Is done in the fear of the Lord, conscious that we also will stand before His judgment seat.

Is accompanied by the awareness, “But for the grace of God, I would be in the same place.”

As you walk this out, you will notice:

A lifting of condemnation.

Greater freedom in prayer.

Greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

Because you have aligned your measure with God’s.

6. A Proclamation & Prayer

### Proclamation

Speak this out loud, as an act of faith and alignment with God’s Word:

> **In the name of Jesus, I affirm the Word of God:

> With the judgment I pronounce, I will be judged,

> and with the measure I use, it will be measured to me.

> I choose to judge not, that I be not judged.

> I lay down every harsh, critical, and condemning attitude.

> I renounce the spirit of accusation and all unforgiveness.

> I choose to forgive those who have sinned against me,

> just as God in Christ has forgiven me.

> I refuse to judge by appearances.

> By the help of the Holy Spirit, I will judge with right judgment,

> according to the Word of God, starting with myself.

> I choose mercy, that I may obtain mercy.

> I choose a generous measure of grace toward others,

> that I may receive a generous measure from God.

> The standard I use from this day forward

> will be the standard of the cross:

> mercy, truth, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Amen.**

### Prayer

“Father, in the name of Jesus, I confess that I have often judged others wrongly. I have used a harsh measure. I have spoken careless words of criticism, gossip, and accusation. I acknowledge this as sin.

I ask You now to forgive me through the blood of Jesus. Cleanse my heart from bitterness, pride, and self-righteousness. Holy Spirit, search me and reveal any person I have judged or held in unforgiveness. By an act of my will, I release them now and forgive them, as You have forgiven me.

Lord Jesus, I align myself with Your Word: with the measure I give, it will be given to me. I ask You to place Your measure in me—Your mercy, Your patience, Your truth. Teach me to judge myself rightly, so that I will not fall under judgment. Teach me to judge with right judgment, according to Scripture, without hypocrisy or condemnation.

I resist the accuser of the brethren. I refuse his thoughts, his words, and his attitudes. I submit my mind and my tongue to You. Let the fruit of my lips be grace, seasoned with salt, building up and not tearing down.

I thank You that as I change my measure, You change my experience of Your judgment—from severity to mercy, from condemnation to cleansing. I receive that mercy now, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Further Listening

Deepen your worship with these related songs:

Wise Words Dance – Proverbs 16:23

Wisdom in Words (v4) – Proverbs 16:23

Wisdom in Words (v5) – Proverbs 16:23

🎵 Up Next

No more songs available