As we prepare for the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover, we are reminded of the importance of judging ourselves. God instructs us to perform physical exercises like de-leavening our homes to learn how to worship Him worthily, but the spiritual lessons hold greater significance. In I Corinthians 11:31-32, Paul teaches that if we judge ourselves, we will not be judged; but if we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord so we may not be condemned with the world. God desires humble people who govern themselves by His Word with concern and respect for others, and such individuals who judge themselves do not need to be governed. Paul further emphasizes in II Corinthians 13:5-6 to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith, to test ourselves, and to know if Jesus Christ is in us, lest we be disqualified. This self-examination is a necessary, commanded duty that requires diligence and brutal honesty. God will provide the ability to put ourselves on trial, see ourselves as we truly are, and make proper judgments. However, human nature often makes this task difficult, as our carnality can deceive us into thinking we are something we are not, breaking the ninth commandment by lying to ourselves. Examples from the Bible show men like David, Job, and Peter, who were blinded by their passions or misconceptions until their eyes were opened to see themselves in relation to God. Their lives were forever changed after these revelations. Therefore, let us examine ourselves, humble ourselves, and judge ourselves so that we may worthily partake of the Passover and not fall under judgment.

The limitations of human judgment are evident when we consider our tendency to jump to negative conclusions based on subjective perceptions. Our field of vision and point of view are too narrow, shaped by personal experiences, making it nearly impossible to judge others fairly. The very fact that we are sinning human beings under judgment disqualifies us from judging others. Our past manner of life has so perverted our judgment that we cannot match the fairness of God. Not until we have overcome and are free from this body and mind of flesh will we be in a position to judge others' lives. God forbids the passing of judgment against another, meaning the handing down of a sentence. While we are empowered to discern right from wrong and must choose the right even when evaluating others' conduct, condemning a person as evil or incorrigible steps into dangerous territory. Passing judgment based on our limited perspective is futile and vain, offering no spiritual value. Its primary motivator is often to elevate or justify the self. Even when we find no fault in our own conduct, we must not step into Christ's area of authority as Judge, for even blamelessness does not justify us. Many things we judge in others are trivial or merely differences in approach, often insignificant in the long term. Focusing on these to the point of passing judgment on the person is unnecessary. There is no clear rule to know when one crosses into passing judgment, but it is an area of great caution. It is futile because we are not equipped to judge well, and dangerous because it usurps the prerogative of the Father and Christ as Judges. This compels us to study God's Word diligently to discern our responsibility and proper approach to our brothers in Christ when such situations arise.

In preparation for the Passover, we are called to examine ourselves, as admonished in I Corinthians 11:28, which states, "But let a man examine himself and so let him eat the bread and drink of the cup." Through this self-examination, we may find ourselves guilty of certain shortcomings, yet this does not necessarily prevent us from partaking in the Passover. We must recognize that we cannot make ourselves worthy on our own. As I Corinthians 11:31 declares, "If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged." By judging ourselves, we seize the opportunity to make changes and avoid harsher trials, a path that aligns with God's desire for us. This process of self-judgment is vital, encouraging us to reflect deeply and correct our ways before external judgment becomes necessary.