EPISODE · Feb 17, 2026 · 14 MIN
16. You are Always Either Blessing or Cursing
from Become New with John Ortberg · host Become New
Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitmentToday’s episode opens with an elderly dog, detours through neuroscience and Genesis, and ends by quietly dismantling your default response to annoying people. Classic John Ortberg.As Lent approaches, John invites us into a radical spiritual experiment: giving up condemnation. Not just blaming others, but the inner posture that withholds blessing from people (including ourselves).Along the way, John explores:Why the Bible’s first word is blessing, not judgmentHow our emotional “like meter” secretly controls our willingness to blessInsights from Jonathan Haidt on moral emotionThe famous 90-second rule from Jill Bolte Taylor for interrupting reactive spiralsAnd why disgust, not discernment, often fuels religious condemnationThis episode draws a crucial line between judging as discernment (wise) and judging as condemnation (corrosive). John shows how condemnation isn’t just something we think—it’s something we will. And when our will stops blessing, something in us starts breaking.📚 Today's Resources:The Happiness Hypothesis — Jonathan HaidtResearch on emotional regulation from Jill Bolte TaylorReflections on blessing in Genesis from Gordon WenhamTeachings of Jesus on blessing enemies (Matthew 5)🙌 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
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment Today’s episode opens with an elderly dog, detours through neuroscience and Genesis, and ends by quietly dismantling your default response to annoying people. Classic John Ortberg. As Lent approaches, John invites us into a radical spiritual experiment: giving up condemnation. Not just blaming others, but the inner posture that withholds blessing from people (including ourselves). Along the way, John explores: Why t...
NOW PLAYING
16. You are Always Either Blessing or Cursing
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.