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Take the No Condemnation Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NYQZHPDWhat if the biggest problem was never “them”… but what happens in us?In this final episode of the No Condemnation series, John brings us to a powerful turning point in Romans 1–2. Paul builds a case against “them” — their sin, their failure, their corruption — until the reader is fully on board.And then he turns it: “You, therefore, have no excuse—you who pass judgment…”In this episode, you'll learn:the difference between moral discernment and condemnationwhy labeling people as “them” distorts the hearthow contempt quietly takes root in everyday lifewhy humility is the starting point for real changehow to live with curiosity instead of judgmentThis isn't about ignoring sin. It's about refusing to let condemnation shape your soul. As the series ends, the invitation remains:See people as individuals.Release the need to judge.Choose curiosity.Practice love....because there is now no condemnation.

What makes the cross of Jesus different from every other story of sacrifice?In this episode, John explores the idea of scapegoating through the work of René Girard and how human societies have always dealt with conflict the same way: by finding someone to blame. We find ourselves at the cross. The cross of Jesus changes everything. For the first time, the scapegoat is truly innocent and instead of justifying the system, the cross exposes it.You'll learn:why humans instinctively assign blamehow rivalry and imitation lead to conflictwhat scapegoating looks like in everyday lifehow the cross reveals the truth about human systemswhy God responds to blame with graceIn a world that runs on blame, the cross offers a different way.Not more condemnation.Not more scapegoats.But grace.

Why doesn't shaming actually work?In this episode, Dr. John Ortberg explores two powerful reasons why condemnation and public shaming often backfire and what they do to both the person being judged and the one doing the judging.Drawing from The Scarlet Letter, John shows:- why we never truly know someone else's story- how shame distorts both identity and relationships- why condemnation corrodes the soul of the one who carries it- how modern culture reinforces division and estrangement- what Jesus offers insteadThen he introduces a different calling:The ministry of reconciliation.You'll learn:- why reconciliation is central to the life of Jesus- how to begin moving away from resentment- what to do when relationships feel broken- why prayer is often the first step- how to live without keeping scoreBecause the goal isn't just to avoid condemnation.It's to become someone who brings people back together.SAVE THE DATE: FORMATIONPODCAST.com launches April 22!

What if the biggest problem isn't “out there”… but is actually within?In this episode, John speaks directly to a familiar figure, “Uncle Billy," the person whose words are harsh, sarcastic, and condemning. Everyone knows an "Uncle Billy."But then he turns the question back on each one of us.Drawing from Ephesians 4 and the words of Jesus, John explores:- why condemnation often disguises itself as righteousness- how outrage and sarcasm shape our hearts- what the Bible really means by “unwholesome talk”- how our words can either rot or restore relationships- why kindness is central to following JesusYou'll learn:- how to recognize “unwholesome talk” in everyday life- why it's easier to judge others than examine ourselves- how to begin changing the tone of your words- what it looks like to speak in a way that builds others upBefore we send this message to someone else, we're invited to ask:“Is that me, Lord?”Because there is now no condemnation...even for the parts of us still being transformed.

We're living in a culture of division. So how do you follow Jesus…when you deeply disagree with someone?In this conversation, John Ortberg sits down with Condoleezza Rice to explore how faith shapes the way we navigate politics, disagreement, and relationships.Together, they unpack:- Why it's so hard to love your “opponents”- How to disagree without losing respect- The role of humility, curiosity, and friendship- And why prayer may be the most important habit of allBecause following Jesus doesn't remove disagreement…but it transforms how we live within it.

Why did Jesus have to die? What's the deal with sacrifice? Couldn't God just… forgive?In this Good Friday teaching, Dr. John Ortberg walks through the deeper meaning of the cross.A story that reveals:We all need helpThe real problem isn't “out there”… it's in usAnd the power of evil is not defeated by force…but by self-giving loveOn the cross, Jesus didn't just suffer.He absorbed evil without returning it.He out-loved hatred.He defeated sin by refusing to stop loving.And in doing so, he changed everything.The invitation is not just to believe in the cross…but to live it.

Not all condemnation is loud.Some of it is… sneaky.In this episode, John Ortberg walks through 10 passive-aggressive habits that quietly damage relationships—things like eye rolls, silence, sarcasm, and “I'm fine.”The twist?Jesus never used them.He was direct. Honest. Clear.And still… full of love.Because you can avoid conflict…and still be full of condemnation.So today, pay attention:Where are you being indirect instead of honest?Where is frustration leaking out sideways?And ask God to help you speak the truth—without condemnation.

Most people don't struggle with telling the truth…they struggle with how they say it.In this episode, John and Nancy Ortberg unpack what it really means to:“Speak the truth in love.”Through two powerful real-life stories, they show how condemnation quietly grows:- behind people's backs- inside groups- and in our own heartsAnd how it can be replaced with something better:- honesty without attack- truth without shame- connection instead of divisionBecause the goal isn't avoiding hard conversations…It's learning how to have them without condemnation.

Shamed people… shame people.So what do you do with the shame you carry?In this episode, John Ortberg shows how Jesus faced shame—and refused to let it define him.From rejection and ridicule to the cross itself, Jesus endured it all…but scorned the shame.And that changes everything for us.Because shame says:“You're not enough.”“You don't belong.”“You are what went wrong.”But Jesus tells a different story.Today's invitation is simple:Notice when shame shows upRefuse to let it define youLet Jesus tell your storyBecause you were never meant to live under shame.

How does Jesus change the world? Not through force. Not through control. Not by winning arguments.It's through the cross.In this episode, John looks at a quote from Jesus during one of his most painful moments: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He draws people in not by power, but by self-giving love.Drawing from John 12, Luke 23, and the story of Jesus' final hours, John shows how the cross reveals character under pressure:not retaliation, but surrendernot condemnation, but forgivenessnot control, but trustThe truth is, the cross is more than a teaching. It's a story. Even when life gets disappointing, or people let us down, or we feel hurt beyond measure, we can choose to double down on the cross. Remember: There is now, therefore, no condemnation. 

Why do so many conversations leave people feeling worse instead of better?In this episode, John walks through a powerful framework for communicating without condemnation, based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg:observe without evaluatingname your feelingsidentify your needsmake clear requestsThen he shows what it looks like in real life through one of Jesus' most famous conversations — His encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4.Instead of judging or correcting her, Jesus:crosses social and relational barrierslistens beneath the surfacespeaks truth without shamecreates connection before correctionAnd the result?A woman who felt fully known… and still accepted.You'll learn:why most communication quietly damages relationshipshow to speak truth without condemnationwhat it means to listen for deeper needshow curiosity can transform difficult conversationswhy being known and accepted changes everythingBecause the goal isn't to win the conversation.It's to love the person.

We live in a cancel culture.Accountability matters — but somewhere along the way, accountability became condemnation. Not just “that was wrong,” but “you are done.”In this episode, John explores:the rise of cancel culture and public shamingwhy shame and condemnation rarely lead to real changethe difference between calling people out and calling them inthe surprising place the word “cancel” shows up in the New Testamentand what Jesus actually does with sin and peopleDrawing from voices like Jon Ronson, Adam Grant, and Loretta Ross, John points to a deeper truth:God does not cancel people. God cancels sin.At the cross — the ultimate place of public shame — Jesus absorbs condemnation and disarms it.Which means: Your sin can be canceled… but you are not.And neither is anyone else.There is now no condemnation.

What if you've been reading the Bible… the wrong way?In this episode, John shares three unexpected tools for giving up condemnation:lighten upbring your shadow (your own capacity for failure)read everything in the shadow of the cross Drawing on insights from Phillip Cary and the story of Jonah, John challenges a common habit: reading ourselves as the “good” characters while judging everyone else.Instead, we're invited to identify with the ones who get it wrong.You'll learn:why moralistic Bible reading fuels judgmenthow humor and humility can disarm condemnationwhat it means to “bring your shadowhow the cross reshapes the way we see otherswhy identifying with failure leads to freedom Because the goal isn't to prove we're better than Jonah…It's to realize we're not.And that's where grace begins.And there is now no condemnation. 

How does someone go from being full of condemnation… to writing, “There is now no condemnation”?In this episode, John explores the transformation of Paul — a man driven by zeal, judgment, and certainty — who encounters the risen Jesus and sees everything differently.Drawing on insights from What Saint Paul Really Said, John unpacks what Paul actually meant by “justification by faith” — and why it's not about earning salvation or simply believing a doctrine.You'll learn:what Paul's zeal was really aboutwhy “justification” means being vindicated, not just forgiventhe difference between trusting Jesus and believing about Himhow Jesus redefines who belongswhy seeing Jesus in others changes everythingAs you move through your day, you're invited into a simple but powerful practice:“It could be the Lord.”Because when you begin to see people that way, condemnation starts to fall away.And there is now no condemnation.

What if our biggest barrier with God isn't sin, but politeness?In this episode, John Ortberg explores a surprising truth from Scripture: God isn't looking for polished prayers. He's inviting honest relationship. Through the story of Job, we discover something shocking:Job rages. Questions God. Speaks words that feel almost dangerous. And yet—God says Job spoke what is right. Why? Because honesty draws us closer to God while polite distance keeps Him far away.Even Jesus cried out on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”So if you've ever felt:confuseddisappointedhurtunsure what God is doingYou're not alone, and you don't have to hide it.Today's invitation is simple: Be real with God.Because the path to deeper faith isn't pretending—it's honesty.

We don't throw stones anymore.Except… we do.Online.In conversations.With a look, a tone, a pause.In this episode, John Ortberg unpacks one of the most famous and unsettling teachings of Jesus:“Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”Through a powerful contrast between ancient scapegoating and the story of the woman in John 8, we see what Jesus is really doing:Not denying sin.Not ignoring truth.But interrupting condemnation.Because there is something in every human heart that wants:someone to blamesomeone to shamesomeone to bring downBut Jesus offers a different way.A way where:truth is spokensin is taken seriouslybut people are not crushedThe invitation today is simple—and hard:Put down the stone.Because the moment you release condemnation,you make space for grace.There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

Criticism is inevitable.Condemnation is optional.In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of the most important distinctions for spiritual growth: how to receive criticism without absorbing condemnation.Drawing from the life of King David, we see a man who:Refused to take revenge when attackedIgnored false condemnationYet humbly received painful truth when it mattered mostThe Bible consistently teaches us:Listen to criticism.Learn from correction.But do not internalize condemnation.Because condemnation attacks your identity—while healthy criticism can transform your life.So what do you do when criticism comes?Instead of getting defensive…lean in.“Is there anything else?”This simple posture can turn even hard conversations into opportunities for growth.Because when you are rooted in God's love,you don't have to protect your ego—you're free to grow.There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

Condemnation doesn't start with what we say.It starts with how we see people.In this episode, John Ortberg explores the root of condemnation and a critical distinction that can change the way we live: observation vs. evaluation.Drawing from insights in Nonviolent Communication, John shows how easily our minds move from simply noticing behavior to assigning judgment, criticism, or contempt. And once that shift happens, condemnation begins to grow.Jesus addressed this problem directly in the Sermon on the Mount when he said:“First take the plank out of your own eye.”The real issue isn't just our words — it's our perception.When we learn to see people the way Jesus sees them — as bearers of God's image — our responses change. Curiosity replaces contempt. Love replaces judgment.Today's practice is simple but powerful:As you move through your day, pause and ask:What would Jesus see when he looks at this person?Because when we change how we see,we change how we love.And in Christ, there is now… therefore… no condemnation.

What do you do with the anger that keeps replaying in your mind?The conversations.The injustice.The words you wish you could say back.In this episode, John Ortberg looks at the remarkable life of Saint Patrick — a man who was kidnapped, enslaved for six years, and yet chose a path almost no one would expect.Instead of revenge, Patrick returned to the people who enslaved him with a message of love and forgiveness.His life raises a hard question for all of us:What do we do with the pain that makes condemnation feel justified?John explores two deeply practical practices that help us escape the prison of bitterness:• Stop ruminating about the person who hurt you• Stop gossiping about themThese small decisions can redirect the entire trajectory of your heart.Because the voice you rehearse in your mindwill eventually shape the life you live.And the way of Jesus — even in the face of deep injustice — is the way of blessing.

There's a voice in your head that never stops talking.But not every voice deserves to be trusted.In this episode, John Ortberg explores the difference between self-condemnation and conviction. Drawing on insights from Ignatius of Loyola, Marshall Rosenberg, and Michael Singer, John shows how comparison and inner criticism can spiral into despair.But the voice of God works differently.Self-condemnation attacks your identity.Conviction speaks to your actions.Self-condemnation leads to hiding.Conviction leads to hope and change.Learning to recognize the difference may be one of the most important spiritual skills you ever develop.Because the voice you listen to insideis usually the voice you use with others.There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

How do you confront someone's behavior without becoming condemning yourself?In this episode, John walks through a common real-life situation — dealing with a difficult family member — and explains the three elements required for genuine change.Drawing on insights from Henry Cloud, Dallas Willard, and research on conflict and relationships, John shows why condemnation rarely leads to transformation.You'll discover:- why grace must come first- how truth can be spoken without hostility- why the emotional tone of a conversation matters- the surprising role patience plays in change- why grace + truth + time are all necessaryReal growth rarely happens overnight. But when grace, truth, and time come together, relationships can begin to change in ways condemnation never could.Because there is now no condemnation.

Is it really surprising that God loves you?In this episode, John challenges a common assumption many Christians carry: that God's love for us is somehow unexpected or hard for Him. But Scripture paints a different picture. Over and over again, the Bible declares something astonishingly simple — God is love.John explores two truths we must hold together. First, we are broken and imperfect. But second, God's very nature is love. And our brokenness cannot change who God is.Drawing from passages like John 3, Romans 5, 1 John 4, and Ephesians 3, John explains how understanding God's nature reshapes our lives. When we become rooted in love, condemnation begins to lose its power, and love naturally flows outward to others.Because the deepest truth of the universe is this: God is love.

What if the key to overcoming condemnation isn't arguing better — but listening better?In this episode, John explores Jesus' surprising instruction in Luke 8:18: “Consider carefully how you listen.” Through the parable of the sower, Jesus explains that the condition of our hearts determines whether the words we hear bring growth or simply bounce off.John shares a recent moment when he caught himself listening critically instead of humbly — and how a simple shift changed everything.You'll learn:- why we often listen in order to judge- the three unhealthy ways we listen- what Jesus means by a “good and noble heart”- how humble listening opens the door to growth- why listening well makes condemnation harderWhen we begin to listen with humility — asking what God might want to show us — conversations change. And so do we.Because there is now no condemnation.

The opposite of condemnation isn't just restraint...it's blessing.In this episode, John Ortberg explores how Jesus calls us to become people who actively bless others — even those who curse us. Drawing from Scripture and insights from The Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent, John walks through five powerful ways to bless others: meaningful words, honoring value, appropriate touch, envisioning a future, and showing up with presence.Blessing doesn't just change others — it changes us.Because when we bless, we live the life Jesus envisioned.There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

Why does condemnation feel like it's everywhere today?In this episode, John Ortberg explores a cultural shift: we no longer define a “good person” by love and character, but by holding the “right” opinions. The result? More judgment, more division, and less humility.Jesus offered a different path — a life marked by compassion, forgiveness, and what Kierkegaard called “blithe humility.” Like the birds and lilies, we can release the burden of controlling the world and trust God with it.The result is freedom, joy, and a life without condemnation.

Sign up here to receive the Formation Newsletter: https://becomenew.com/formation/What if the antidote to condemnation isn't trying harder to be nice… but learning to know yourself?In this conversation, John Ortberg talks with philosopher Jim Taylor about intellectual virtue — qualities like humility, courage, and self-knowledge that help us pursue truth and love people well.Jesus warned against condemning judgment, but he also invited us to remove the log in our own eye. The path forward begins with honest self-examination and a simple prayer:“Search me, O God, and know my heart.”Because when we grow in self-knowledge, condemnation loses its grip.

You don't condemn people… right?Let me stop you right there.In this episode, John Ortberg walks through six surprisingly common styles of condemnation — from the obvious (aggressive anger) to the subtle (silence, sarcasm, perfectionism, conditional acceptance, even martyrdom).We all judge. We all distance. We all find creative ways to say, “I'm above you.”Drawing on Scripture, psychology, and real-life examples (including the “Pan Am smile” and the devastating power of ridicule), John helps us name our default style — and invites the Holy Spirit to gently interrupt it.Because condemnation doesn't just hurt others. It corrodes us.And the freedom we're after this Lent is simple and radical:Let me stop you right there.There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

There is now no condemnation...but if we're honest, sometimes condemnation feels effective.In this episode, John Ortberg explores what Dallas Willard called the law of reciprocal condemnation — the almost unbreakable cycle where judgment breeds counter-judgment, attack breeds counter-attack, and anger multiplies itself.It's extremely rare, Willard observed, that anyone who is condemned responds by changing in the desired way.Instead, condemnation produces:- Counter-condemnation- Passive aggression- Perfectionism- Procrastination- Rebellion- Or quiet relational deathJesus warned about this in the Sermon on the Mount:“As you judge, so you will be judged.”Not as a threat from God — but as an observation about how relationships work.So how do we break the cycle?Paul gives a shocking alternative in Romans 12:Do not repay evil for evil.Leave room for God's justice.Overcome evil with good.Justice is real.But it is not ours to manage.

In this episode, John Ortberg offers what he calls “two cheers for guilt and shame.” Drawing from the book of Judges, John explores why justice matters, why moral reality is woven into the fabric of existence, and why a world without any sense of guilt or shame would not be more humane — it would be more dangerous.From the brutal story of Adoni-Bezek to the violent cycles of Judges, we see a profound truth emerge: no one ultimately gets away with injustice. As Jesus says in Luke 8:17, nothing hidden will remain hidden.John traces a major turning point in human history — what C.S. Lewis called the moral law — the moment when ancient Israel connected two ideas that had often been separated:There is one God.And that God is good.Justice is real. Accountability is real. And judgment, properly understood, is good news — especially for the oppressed.But here's the deeper turn:- Guilt and shame can either crush us… or redeem us.- Healthy guilt points out where we have done wrong so we can confess and be cleansed. Healthy shame invites us out of hiding into relationship and grace.- And ultimately, Jesus steps into the story and absorbs the consequences we could not.- “The wages of sin is death.”The sin is ours.The death is his.- The cycle of Judges is broken at the cross.Justice is upheld. Mercy is given.And condemnation does not win.

John Ortberg builds on a surprising Lenten invitation echoed even by the Pope: fast from harsh words. Disarm your language. Refuse contempt.John revisits what condemnation actually is — not discernment, not moral clarity — but a toxic mix of malice (ill will) and disgust (repulsion) toward another person.Then he offers one simple, powerful practice that makes condemnation nearly impossible while you're doing it:Listen.Drawing from Scripture, including Acts 7 (where Stephen's accusers literally cover their ears), and insights from The Lost Art of Listening by Michael Nichols and Martha Straus, John explores why we overestimate our listening ability — and why the higher our emotions run, the less we tend to listen.It turns out it's very difficult to listen deeply and condemn someone at the same time.James writes, “Be quick to listen.”That might be the most subversive spiritual discipline of our time.Because curiosity softens judgment.Listening interrupts contempt.And blessing grows where condemnation used to live.There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

Condemnation comes easily when we quietly assume we earned where we stand.In this episode, John explores two truths that change everything about how we see other people: we do not know their full story — and we do not know their future.Drawing on Psalm 103 and the classic film Angels with Dirty Faces, John tells the story of two boys who run from the police. One clears a fence. One doesn't. That single moment sends their lives in opposite directions. Years later, one is a priest. One is a criminal.How much of what we call character was shaped by circumstances we did not choose?You'll discover:- Why condemnation assumes too much- What Psalm 103 means when it says “we are dust”- How curiosity disarms contempt- Why only God sees the whole arc of a life- How to bless someone you're tempted to judgeJohn closes by inviting you to bring to mind the person you're most tempted to hold in contempt — and to pray for them instead.Because there is now no condemnation.

Today, John Ortberg uses Les Misérables by Victor Hugo to explore two ways of living:• the condemning life (Javert)• the blessing life (the Bishop)• and the transformed life (Jean Valjean)Drawing on Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 3, and insights from Dallas Willard, John explains:- why condemnation feels powerful- what the “ministry of condemnation” really does- how grace humiliates before it heals- why pride resists light- how blessing rewires the soulThrough the unforgettable moment of the candlesticks, we see how self-giving love defeats condemnation. One man bends the knee and is transformed. One refuses grace and collapses under its weight.“To love another person is to see the face of God.”That is the blessing life.That is the transformed life.And there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Why does condemnation feel so automatic?In this episode, John explores how shame and judgment often operate through what sociologists call status degradation rituals, the subtle ways we lower others to elevate ourselves.Drawing on insights from Harold Garfinkel, John shows how condemnation works socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Then he walks us through powerful Gospel moments where Jesus reverses the pattern:• the sinful woman at Simon's house• the prodigal son welcomed home• Jesus washing his disciples' feet• and ultimately, the cross itselfYou'll learn:- how condemnation functions as a social ritual- why Jesus chooses downward mobility- how humility defeats hostility- what Philippians 2 reveals about real greatness- how serving others rewires the heartJohn also reflects on how crucifixion was designed by Rome as the ultimate humiliation — and how Jesus voluntarily enters that suffering to defeat condemnation once and for all.The invitation is simple and brave:come to Jesus in humility,serve instead of shame,and help elevate the people around you.Because there really is now no condemnation.

Why does condemnation feel so automatic?In this episode, John Ortberg invites us to slow down, breathe, and notice something surprising: judgment doesn't just live in our thoughts — it lives in our bodies.Returning to the story of Cain and Abel, John shows how God interrupts Cain with two gentle questions:- Why are you angry?- Why is your face downcast?Those questions open a doorway to freedom.Drawing on neuroscience from Jill Bolte Taylor and Antonio Damasio, John explains how condemnation becomes embodied through stress hormones, muscle tension, and emotional rehearsal. He introduces the difference between decisional non-condemnation (“I choose not to judge”) and emotional non-condemnation (asking God to transform what happens inside your body).You'll learn:• why condemnation feels physical• how the 90-second pause works• what it means to “feed the monster”• how blessing rewires your reactions• why you can disagree without condemningJohn also shares painfully honest examples of everyday judgment (hair gel, Tesla drivers, passive people — we've all been there

How do you tell someone they're wrong… without condemning them?John Ortberg explores one of the most important distinctions in communication: the difference between tone and heart. Tone can be soothing or jarring. But the heart must always be love.Looking at Matthew 23, where Jesus confronts religious leaders with blistering language, John asks: Was Jesus condemning them? Or was something deeper happening?You'll discover:- Why condemnation is not the same as moral clarity- The difference between contempt and courage- What “malice + disgust” really means- Why Jesus compares himself to a mother hen- How to speak the truth in love without losing your soulDrawing from Romans 8, Matthew 23, Luke 19, and a reflection by Barbara Brown Taylor, this episode offers a powerful prayer for Lent:“God, give me the right heart. Then show me the right tone.”If you're navigating conflict, leadership, parenting, or hard conversations — this one matters.Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment

John Ortberg tackles a tension many of us feel but rarely name:If there is no condemnation, what do we do with real evil, injustice, and wrongdoing?John walks us through Scripture, the prophets, and Jesus' own words to show why “no condemnation” does not mean indifference to sin—and why accountability still matters deeply to God. Drawing on insights from Abraham Joshua Heschel, John explores how the prophets saw injustice as a spiritual emergency, and why our culture's casual attitude toward evil would have stunned them.Along the way, he reminds us:- God hates injustice precisely because God loves people- Jesus was gentle with those everyone expected him to condemn- But fierce with the religious who used righteousness to exclude others- And that before we can hear no condemnation, we must first take condemnation seriously- This is a thoughtful, challenging reflection on judgment, responsibility, and grace—and why condemnation may be a word, but it is never the last word.Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment

Today, John Ortberg tackles one of our most stubborn spiritual habits: blame.Tracing its origins back to Genesis, John shows how blame enters the human story the moment shame appears—and how quickly we learn to deflect responsibility onto others. From Adam and Eve to modern relationships, blame becomes our go-to strategy for avoiding pain.Along the way, John draws from Scripture, Paradise Lost, and insights from thinkers like Charles Tilly and Paul Tournier to explore why we instinctively hog credit and dodge fault—and why spiritual maturity looks like learning to own our part with humility and courage.John reminds us that while removing blame can reduce shame, only love actually heals the soul. Real freedom comes not from avoiding responsibility, but from stepping into God's presence honestly, without hiding or deflecting.This is a thoughtful, practical invitation to live one day at a time without blaming others—and to discover again the grace that makes change possible.Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment

Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitmentOn the first day of Lent, John Ortberg invites us into a brave and deeply personal journey: giving up condemnation...and learning how shame actually works.This episode goes straight to the source. John traces condemnation back to its root system in shame, beginning in Genesis and moving through psychology, philosophy, trauma-informed theology, and lived experience. Along the way, he explores why our urge to judge others is often fueled by hidden pain in ourselves—and why healing starts when we stop hiding.You'll hear insights from:John Walton on Genesis and chaos imageryWarren Kinghorn on trauma and the first humansEleanor Stump on guilt vs. shameKurt Thompson on the “shame concierge” that narrates our inner livesJohn makes a crucial distinction:Guilt fears punishment and is healed by forgiveness.Shame fears rejection and is healed only by acceptance, love, and belonging.He introduces two invisible companions we all carry:a shame concierge that quietly judges every momentand a grace concierge—the Spirit—who reminds us we are God's beloved children.

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.

Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitmentWhat if the most spiritual thing you could do today… is not have the last word?In this episode, John Ortberg tells a powerful story about his friend Dallas Willard and introduces a simple but life-changing practice: letting go of condemnation by releasing our need to be right.As Lent approaches, John invites us into something deeper than giving up chocolate or social media. He challenges us to give up condemning others (and ourselves), drawing from Jesus' silence under accusation, insights from Arthur Brooks, research by Robert Putnam, and wisdom from Dorothy Day.You'll explore:• Why condemnation is quietly damaging our relationships and culture• How Jesus modeled a radically different way of living• What it means to practice “not having the last word”• How love, not blame, becomes the path to healing• A 40-day Lenten invitation to live without condemnationJohn also shares a simple commitment you can practice one day at a time:With God's help, I abandon condemnation and blaming. Instead, I will live in the love of God, the love of life, and the love of others.If you're tired of outrage, polarization, and carrying judgment in your body and soul, this episode offers a gentle, courageous way forward.

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/Shine-StudyGuideA 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg. We've made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group! Just download, print and go!John opens this study on Philippians with a deceptively simple question: How are you going to greet people today? We tend to think greetings don't matter much, but John says they're actually sacred moments — tiny doorways into connection. He tells a story about a boss who always stopped, made eye contact, smiled, and made people feel seen. Then he notices something remarkable about Jesus: people interrupted him constantly… and nobody ever said, “Sorry to bother you.” Somehow, people weren't a bother to Jesus. John reminds us that even small changes in how we address one another reflect something much deeper about who we are becoming.ACCESS THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR SHINE HERE:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UE38nc_diriBs3EqIq7GcpFBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET 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

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/GetOutMore-StudyGuideA 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg. We've made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group! Just download, print and go!In this episode, John opens a new series with a refreshingly honest question: is technology a life-giving gift… or a soul-draining mess? (Spoiler: it's both.) He talks about how grateful he is for the way tech lets this little “Fellowship of the Withered Hand” learn and pray together, and at the same time, he names the rising tide of loneliness, anxiety, and screen addiction shaping modern life. Drawing from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, John points out how especially hard this has become for young people. That's why this series is called We Should Get Out More: not as a guilt trip, but as an invitation — back into the real world God made, and beyond the echo chambers that quietly shrink our souls.ACCESS THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR WE SHOULD GET OUT MORE HERE:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UEqjtJZ1k9CDNBR7WoAdBvbBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET 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

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/Untroubled-StudyGuideA 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg. We've made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group! Just download, print and go!Jesus says something almost unbelievable: “Do not let your heart be troubled.” And he says it on the night before his death. In this episode, John Ortberg opens a journey into what it actually means to live with an untroubled heart in a deeply troubled world. He shares a moment with his friend Dallas Willard, who once asked him, “What are you doing under the circumstances?” That question reframes everything. We're not meant to live under our circumstances. We're meant to live inside God's care. John reminds us that the “heart” in Scripture isn't just emotions. It's the control center of your life. And while the world will stay troubled, your heart doesn't have to.ACCESS THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR UNTROUBLED HEART HERE:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UGEuSydT4Y_gT754T89w535Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET 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

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/Insurmountable-StudyGuideA 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg. We've made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group! Just download, print and go!John Ortberg walks us into Matthew 5, where Jesus announces that the blessed life (life in God's kingdom) is available right here, right now, no matter your circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not abstract theory or impossible idealism; it is a practical, transformative vision for human life. Tolstoy once wrote that if Jesus' words were truly lived, they would create an entirely new social order. John brings it home with Jesus' simple summary of the whole teaching: treat others the way you would want to be treated.ACCESS THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR INSURMOUNTABLE HERE:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UHXbT60EfcXVJF33i5mA-5fBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET 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

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/Genesis-Study-GuideA 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg. We've made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group! Just download, print and go!In this episode, John invites us to slow down and breathe in a simple truth: God is the God of new beginnings. From the opening words of Scripture, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”... John shows how creation itself points to fresh starts, clean slates, and new possibilities. God didn't just create once and walk away; He is continually creating, sustaining every leaf, every breath, every moment. And that same creative presence is available to you right now. The God who says “do it again” to the sun each morning is the God who offers you a do-over.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET 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

Good news: You don't have to live for your critics anymore.John Ortberg looks ahead to Lent and invites us into a bold, freeing experiment: giving up condemnation altogether; the kind we receive, the kind we rehearse in our own heads, and the kind we quietly pass along to others. Drawing from the apostle Paul, John explores the reality that we all live with three critics:- Other people- Ourselves- And GodThe surprising twist? Freedom doesn't come from silencing the first two, it comes from a category shift in how we understand the third.Today's Resources:Lewis B. Smedes, How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong?

There is now no condemnation. Which is especially good news for our closest relationships.In this conversation, John Ortberg is joined by longtime friend and clinical psychologist Rick Blackmon to explore how condemnation quietly shows up in marriages, families, and friendships—and what actually helps break its grip.Drawing from relationship research, clinical practice, and lived experience, they talk about why “constructive criticism” often backfires, how negativity ratios shape relational health, and the Four Horsemen that predict breakdown (with stonewalling doing more damage than we realize). Along the way, they offer practical wisdom for telling the truth without being harsh, starting hard conversations gently, and learning to calm the soul when emotions run hot.This is an honest, hope-filled conversation about becoming people who can face conflict without crushing one another—and learning to live, even in our relationships, from a place where grace has the final word.Today's Resources:John Gottman, Why Marriages Succeed or Fail

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

Good news: There is now no condemnation.Awkward news: Christians still manage to find ways to do it anyway.In this episode, John Ortberg sits down with his wife (and favorite guest) Nancy Ortberg. Along the way, they explore: - Why condemnation doesn't just live in our words… but in our eyebrows, tone, and jawline. - How Jesus consistently gathered the people everyone else had already dismissed. Why the parable of the sower would have sounded wildly irresponsible to first-century farmers- How anonymity (hello, freeway driving

Why are Christians so mean to each other? Jesus said, “Do not judge.”So why does judgment feel so common, especially inside the church?In this episode of No Condemnation, John Ortberg explores one of the most uncomfortable and honest questions facing followers of Jesus today. Drawing from the life of William Tyndale, the insights of Dallas Willard, and the words of Jesus himself, John uncovers how condemnation quietly takes root among people of faith and why being “right” can slowly replace being Christlike.Today's Resources:Dallas Willard, Renovation of the HeartWilliam Tyndale, Preface to the New Testament