The Measure

 

The Measure

Our God is a bountiful God, and our provider; source of all things; and He wants us to ask!

Strong's Hebrew: 3070. יְהֹוָה (Yhvh Yireh) -- "The LORD Will Provide"

Yəhōvâ Yirʾeh embodies the heart of biblical faith: the God who sees is the God who supplies, culminating in the Lamb provided for …[i]

 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened; Matt. 7: 7-8.

Example on our thought pattern: Look around  the Oceans, which are deep, wide, and vast. Imagine what measure are we taking to the ocean to fill our: spoon, or a cup, or a test tube, or another pail, or with a water tank! This talks about our capacity of thought pattern and understanding of God! Most likely, if we think of going with we a little test tube, the angels in heaven will chuckle or have mixed sad emotions about our thoughts and deeds!

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again; Matt. 7: 2.

Strong's Greek: 3358. μέτρον (metron) -- Measure - Bible Hub

3358 métron – properly, a measure (the actual measure itself); (figuratively) the basis for determining what is enough (or not enough), what is fair (or not fair), etc.[ii]

          With the measure one uses, it will be measured back to us, is the principle upon which Jesus built the command, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” We can assess someone else’s behavior but, we are to remember we will be judged on our actions as well. Always, mindful of the fact that when we  consider how we would want to be judged!

        God will measure to us according to the same measure we use for others. This is a powerful motivation for us to be generous with love, forgiveness, time, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and understanding of others. If we want more of those things from God, we should give more of them to others.

God had two measures that He used to judge people. One was a measure of justice and the other was a measure of mercy. Whichever measure you want God to use with you, you should use that same measure with others.[iii]

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want; Psa. 23: 1.     

      The Lord is my shepherd means: he is a Shepherd to me personally;  cares, watches, protects, preserves and bears  my burdens for ever.

David knew this metaphor in a unique way, having been a shepherd himself. “David uses the most comprehensive and intimate metaphor yet encountered in the Psalms, preferring usually the more distant ‘king’ or ‘deliverer’, or the impersonal ‘rock’, ‘shield’, etc.; whereas the shepherd lives with his flock and is everything to it: guide, physician and protector.” (Kidner)

        Who determines of what one takes? It is again the measure one uses, right? That means depends on the measure we use, and it is measured. That measure will be measured back to us. Our judgment in regard to others often can be wrong, because we judge according to a different standard. We could be hypocritical in the application of that standard; ignoring that standard in our own life. We have to remember the following verses;

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work; 2 Cori. 9: 6-8.

        Now we come to the life application part of the above principle; and we need to have a word study on mercy.

What is Mercy? [compassion, leniency, or restraint (as in imposing punishment) shown especially to an offender or to one subject to the power of another

showed her enemies no mercy

The boss took mercy on us and let us go home early.

The prisoner threw himself on the mercy of the court. [=begged the court to show him mercy]

 a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

May God have mercy on us.][iv]

Neuroscience on mercy/compassion shows:

Compassion is the emotion that motivates people to relieve the physical, emotional, or mental pains of others. Engaging in compassionate behavior has been found to enhance psychological wellness and resilience. The results of the reviewed studies showed various neurological changes in regions of the brain as a result of compassion based training. These regions include amygdala, the anterior insula, medial prefrontal cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex and structures within the dopamine system.[v]

A growing literature examines the relationship between compassion and various aspects of nervous system function, especially the brain. The chapter starts by outlining neuroimaging studies of compassion and then examines the topic of empathy and the brain, noting evidence that observing another person’s emotional state activates parts of the neuronal network that are also involved in processing that same state in oneself. Research suggests that multiple areas within the brain are involved in compassion and compassion training, with some regions more strongly implicated than others. Overall, research into the neuroscience of compassion supports the idea that compassion can be cultivated deliberately through training.[vi] 

     Now, with the understanding of the neuroscientific part of us, let us look at the cross.  This is the place where these two   measures took place: Justice vs. mercy. Mercy won! So, we can safely say, that God had two measures that He uses to judge people. One was a measure of justice and the other was a measure of mercy.      

“But do not indulge the criticizing faculty upon others in censorious manner, or as if you were set in authority, and had a right to dispense judgment among your fellows. If you impute motives, and pretend to read hearts, others will do the same towards you. A hard and censorious behavior is sure to provoke reprisals. Those around you will pick up the peck measure you have been using, and measure your corn with it.” Charles Spurgeon. 

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; Psa. 51: 1-2.

        Balancing love with discernment is important. Yet, Godly correction is like a pearl formation, because this may sting for a moment. At the same time, God’s word says, pearls should not be thrown before the swine. So, we should be careful on to whom it should be given as well.

Spurgeon says, “Jesus is gentle, but he calls that man a ‘hypocrite’ who fusses about small things in others, and pays no attention to great matters at home in his own person.”   

Strong's Greek: 1343. δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosuné) -- Righteousness, justice

The noun δικαιοσύνη appears ninety-two times in the Greek New Testament. It gathers the rich Old Testament background of …[vii]

Strong's Greek: 1653. ἐλεέω (eleeó) -- To have mercy, to show ...

eleeó: To have mercy, to show compassion, to be merciful. have compassion, show mercy. From eleos; to compassionate (by word or …[viii]

If God had to measure each one of us based on His justice, we all fall short, and none of us can prevail. Measure of justice versus  measure of mercy. Which do we prefer more from God our Father in heaven? Then let us use the same measure with others!

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[i] Hebrew word for God our provider - Search

[ii] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › greek

[iii] Matthew 7 Commentary: The Sermon on the Mount

[iv]MERCY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

[v]The neuroscience of compassion: a scoping review of the literature on the neuroscience of compassion and compassion-related therapies

[vi](PDF) Neuroscience and Compassion

[vii] Greek word for justice - Search

[viii] Greek word for mercy - Search

Bitter Pill

 

Bitter Pill

Sacred and Genuine vs. Slander and Hatred

[I had a hard time writing this, but I chose to write to be a blessing to people. People experiences pain, trauma, sufferings, and hopelessness       because of slander and hatred. I sense something sacred, genuine, godly and love is the main missing link in the most cases. We have to remember that hatred can also be expressed by indifference. God’s word gives hope to the hopeless. God is near to the broken hearted, and His Mighty Hand is  powerful enough to reach anyone in greater depths. Pagans will do pagan things; but there is a fine line of separation between a pagan and a non-practicing Christian. Very often that fine line can merge!] 

First of all, slander is not at all the fruit of the Spirit.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you; Ephe. 4: 31-32. 

But, the fruit of the spirit is,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law; Ephe. 4: 22-23.

Strong's Greek: 984. βλάπτω (blaptó) -- To harm, to injure, to damage

Strong’s Greek 984 denotes the infliction of injury, loss, or disadvantage. Scripture restricts its use to situations in which supernatural protection prevents expected harm.[i]

Strong's Greek: 2163. εὔφημος (euphémos) -- Of good report, reputable ...

Nestled among “true,” “honorable,” “right,” “pure,” and “lovely,” the term directs believers to fill their thoughts with realities that enjoy a good reputation before God and people.[ii] 

He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool; Prov. 10:18.

Whoever hides hatred: “This is a common case. How many, when full of resentment, and deadly hatred, meditating revenge and cruelty, and sometimes even murder, have pretended that they thought nothing of the injury they had sustained; had passed by the insult, etc.! Thus lying lips covered the malevolence of a wicked heart.” (Clarke)

         Passing along an evil story about another, or giving a false narrative is condemned by God. The Bible says it is harsh words about the other person and is not kind. Maligning other people’s character, and wrecking their reputation, and thinking what we are doing about others is smartness, is deceit and that we ourselves are deceived in that process.

“Unlike the fool’s insolent speech that hurts himself in hurting others, gossip destroys the relationship of others, even the closest friends.” (Waltke)  

        This is not killing a person with a knife, but that person has already murdered them; their character with the special wonderful organ God had provided, and that is our tongue. Our tongues are wonderfully designed by our Creator to glorify God! OR, do we want to get even with another person, because of jealousy? Murdering another person with evil thoughts, intentions, gossip and saying all sorts of evil things?

“The words of a gossip [talebearer] in an unguarded moment may inflict irreparable injury. This evil may be welcomed in certain circles that thrive on scandal. But that does not alter the real character of a gossip, who is detested by both God and man.” (Bridges)

       We beleivers in Christ are asked to check the tales of a tale bearer. This is because the words of a tale bearer will have an effect on our system as well. Since we are all wired differently and wonderfully, the words will go down into us; it often changes the way we think and feel about people.

Once we start eating these tasty trifles, it is hard to stop. “When such tasty bits are taken into the innermost being, they stimulate the desire for more.” (Ross)

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established; 2 Cori. 13: 1.

        God gave a strong word regarding the confirmation of the testimony or the tales of people in Deut. 19: 15; 2 Cori. 13: 1; 1 Tim. 5: 19 and in many other references as well.

      Health Effects of hate in general are:  increased stress  levels,  Mental Health Disorders; Cardiovascular Problems; Weakened Immune System; and it has Impact on Brain Health as well. Neuroscience research on hatred show the following results;  

When people view the face of someone they hate, brain scans show a consistent pattern of increased activity across several regions: the putamen (deep in the brain’s core, involved in perceiving contempt and disgust), the insula (which processes gut feelings and emotional reactions), the premotor cortex (which plans physical movement), and the medial frontal gyrus (involved in evaluating and predicting other people’s behavior). A landmark neuroimaging study found that three of these areas, the right insula, right premotor cortex, and right frontal-medial gyrus, lit up in direct proportion to how intensely someone reported hating the person they were looking at. The more hate, the stronger the signal.[iii]

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise; Prov. 10: 19.

       Slandering a person, and harming the reputation of a person, according to God’s word, that person is a fool. Are we one of the slanderers? There is more potential to sin, when we talk more than listening. All of us can bless others and keep ourselves from sinning, by speaking less, and restraining our lips. We are called to bless people and not curse.  

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now; 1 Jn. 2: 9.

         If we lose love then we lose everything. One can do all the right things, believe all the right truths, and stay in love. If we do not love other Christians, then all is lost. This is because Christ is love.  Moral values, doctrine, and love, the three tests should stand together, like the legs on a three-legged stool. 

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him; 1 Jn. 3: 15.

       Slander, hatred, jealousy and bitterness are found with dead people who are not revived by Christ’s love. I mean in those people in whom the Spirit of Christ does not dwell, and hence they are dead in their own trespasses. We all have to live life, and that is found in the Spirit of Christ, which is the Holy Spirit; wind of God, Ruach Hakkadosh.   

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins; Prov. 10: 12.

    The words of a talebearer are as wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly; Prov. 18: 8. 

Yet the damage the talebearer brings is great. “He that takes away a man’s good name kills him alive, and ruins him and his posterity; being herein worse than Cain, for he, in killing his brother, made him live for ever, and eternalized his name.” (Trapp)

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts; Jer. 15: 16.

        The above are the most painful prayers of the Prophet Jeremiah. He had a better option when people talk ill of him, because he has God’s word and God with him.

“He is alienated from his people because of his witness, yet he has no choice but to proclaim God’s word to a recalcitrant nation. He is a lonely, anxious man, yet one who rejoices that God dwells in his heart.” (Harrison)

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[i]https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=395&q=harm+in+Greek&cvid=328d3feca

[ii]https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=395&q=Greek+word+for+reputation&cvid

[iii] What Does Hate Do to the Brain and Body? – Science Insights

Desire to do Good vs. Inward Battle

 

Desire to do Good vs. Inward Battle

Strong's Greek: 19. ἀγαθωσύνη (agathosune) -- Goodness

From agathos; goodness, i.e. Virtue or beneficence -- goodness.[i] 

Strong's Greek: 1937. ἐπιθυμέω (epithumeó) -- To desire, to long for ...

ἐπιθυμέω denotes an inner reaching, a focused longing originating in the will and emotions. The term can express everything from holy aspiration to destructive craving.[ii] 

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin;  Rom. 7: 19-25.

     Here the passage explains the battle one faces, between our two selves. Delighting in doing what God wants us to do, against delighting in what we wanted to do. They are waring against each other.

Anyone who has tried to do good is aware of this struggle. We never know how hard it is to stop sinning until we try. “No man knows how bad he is until he has tried to be good.” (C.S. Lewis)

       The desire to do good for others, and showing kindness to someone has a huge impact on ourselves. When someone shows kindness to us, or saying kind words, it changes our heart and our neurophysiology. It opens us up, and we feel differently inside. In other words, kindness can bring tangible change in our neurophysiology and our emotional state.

Research into kind speech oxytocin—the connection between compassionate communication and the release of the “bonding hormone” oxytocin—shows that our words carry biological power. [iii]

 

“It is worth bearing in mind that the great saints through the ages do not commonly say, ‘How good I am!’ Rather, they are apt to bewail their sinfulness.” (Morris)

        Kindness is often seen as a simple act. But it has a  science to it.  It has a complex and penetrating effects on the body, mind, emotions and even in our social connections. Science of kindness is not limited to individual benefits, but has ripple effect, and is contagious. Engaging in acts of kindness can form new neural connections and enhance the brain’s ability to process emotions and regulates stress. Emotional Regulations is obtained much easily.

“By the body of death he means the whole mass of sin, or those ingredients of which the whole man is composed; except that in him there remained only relics, by the captive bonds of which he was held.” (Calvin)

 

        The capacity for kindness is expressed in empathy, love, compassion, and also all the theories of the healthy mind.

Research in the field of contemplative neuroscience has shown that kindness and related competencies can be trained, resulting in both functional and structural neural plasticity. An initial assessment performed by the amygdala and the components of mirror neuron system in the inferior frontal/pre-motor and inferior parietal cortex; affective simulation involving bilateral insula and the anterior and middle cingulate gyrus; the cognitive component engaging the executive system for emotion control via attention and re-appraisal in the frontoparietal and temporal areas, and the areas associated with theory of mind in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex and temporo-parietal junction. Additionally, compassion, like love, has been found to activate systems for reward and positive affect, involving ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens and the orbito-frontal cortex.[iv] 

 

       Neuroscience says that kindness activates the brain’s reward centre releasing dopamine the feel good, neurotransmitter. This makes the giver a feel happier and more fulfilled life. Kindness does good to the individuals; and lowers blood pressure, produces more oxytocin which helps in the dilatation of the blood vessels and promoted cardiovascular health.

“To be saved from sin, a man must at the same time own it and disown it; it is this practical paradox which is reflected in this verse. A true saint may say it in a moment of passion, but a sinner had better not make it a principle.” (Wuest)

 

Kindness and related competencies can be trained, resulting in both functional and structural neural plasticity. Training in such complex practices, which require simultaneous activation of perceptual, affective and cognitive capacities, increases global synchronization and integration among different networks, leading to enhanced mobilization of the brain's resources and increased processing efficiency.[v]

        The desire to do good for others, showing kindness to someone has a huge impact on ourselves. When someone shows kindness to us, or saying kind words, it changes our heart and our neurophysiology. It opens us up, and we feel differently. In other words, kindness can bring tangible change in our neurophysiology and our emotional state.

Now, this is just what the Christian has to do. He has within him the new life; he has a living and undying principle, which the Holy Spirit has put within him, but he feels that everyday he has to drag about with him this dead body, this body of death, a thing as loathsome, as hideous, as abominable to his new life, as a dead stinking carcass would be to a living man.” (Spurgeon)

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[i]https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=395&q=Greek+word+for+goodness&cv

[ii]https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=395&q=Greek+word+for+desire&cvid=5

[iii] The Neuroscience of Kind Speech and Oxytocin – Ego Ease

[iv] https://mgiep.unesco.org/article/the-neuroscience-of-kindness

[v] https://mgiep.unesco.org/article/the-neuroscience-of-kindness