16. You are Always Either Blessing or Cursing episode artwork

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

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 17, 2026

Embed this episode

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...

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

16. You are Always Either Blessing or Cursing

0:00 14:56

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Become New with John Ortberg?

This episode is 14 minutes long.

When was this Become New with John Ortberg episode published?

This episode was published on February 17, 2026.

Can I download this Become New with John Ortberg episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!