12. How to Break the Condemnation Cycle episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 4, 2026 · 15 MIN

12. How to Break the Condemnation Cycle

from Become New with John Ortberg · host Become New

John Ortberg asks a surprisingly practical question:What should I be looking for in people (especially the ones I disagree with) if I want to stop the cycle of condemnation?Along the way, John draws from:- Arthur Brooks on how contempt corrodes our culture (and inboxes)- Social psychology’s painfully accurate idea of motivational attribution asymmetry- A dramatic moment in the Gospels where religious leaders look right at suffering… and somehow miss it- The difference between a hermeneutic of suspicion and a far rarer hermeneutic of charityYou’ll hear why:- We assume good motives for ourselves and bad motives for “those people”Social media makes us feel morally informed while quietly shrinking our souls- Jesus keeps asking a question we’d rather not answer: What are you actually looking for?- The invitation here is deceptively simple and genuinely difficult:Look for the image of God.Not agreement. Not ammunition. Not confirmation that you’re right.- When we see people the way Jesus does, contempt loses its grip—and condemnation doesn’t get the last word.Also included: academic shade, Gospel-level tension, and a timer reminding John when it’s time to stop talking.Today's Resources:Arthur C. Brooks, Love Your Enemies🙌 New episodes every weekday.📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at [email protected] OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/Music Credits:Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

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John Ortberg asks a surprisingly practical question:What should I be looking for in people (especially the ones I disagree with) if I want to stop the cycle of condemnation? Along the way, John draws from: - Arthur Brooks on how contempt corrodes our culture (and inboxes) - Social psychology’s painfully accurate idea of motivational attribution asymmetry - A dramatic moment in the Gospels where religious leaders look right at suffering… and somehow miss it - The difference between a hermeneu...

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12. How to Break the Condemnation Cycle

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