Podcast appearances and mentions of John Ortberg

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.

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.

We continue our series on the Prodigal Story by reliving this story through the perspective of the elder brother. www.thevineaustin.org Luke 15:25-32 REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. How do you think your birth order affected your personality? 2. John Ortberg once said, “One of the hardest things to do is to stop being the prodigal son without turning into the elder brother.” Do you agree? Why or why not? 3. Read the passage (verses 25-32). If you place yourself in the role of the elder brother, what would fuel your disdain of your brother? What would fuel your disdain of your father's choice to reconcile with him? 4. Mark shared that fairness is not a characteristic of the Kingdom of God. Respond to that notion. How might that be true? How do you grapple with that reality? 5. How does this story (from the experience of the elder brother) challenge you today? End in prayer for one another, asking that God would give you the courage to follow Jesus, the Elder Brother we need.

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.

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 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-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

What do you think is the most important thing in life? Would it be what you do--- Your job? Maybe your accomplishments? Your Hard Work? Your reputation? All of that is what people see from the outside. Or would it be what happens on the inside---- That deep rooted growth that happens where no one really sees it-- it is invisible? I think it has to do with what happens in the inner part of our life. I love this quote, "The most important thing in your life is not what you do, but about who you become." Today, I am so excited to highlight this book, *Soul Keeping by John Ortberg. The subtitle says Caring for the Most Important Part of You. Our Soul! I know you are going to learn so much from John's book -- it is full of wisdom. I share about John Mark Comer's Book, *The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. My dad and I were both reading this book at the same time back in December 2024, so he was my podcast guest as we talked about this book. Check out Depth Podcast Episode 224 *Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!  

John Ortberg is a pastor, author, and spiritual formation teacher known for helping people experience life with God in their everyday lives. In today's conversation, John shares his journey into pastoral ministry, the unexpected role that decision-making played in discovering his calling, and how God uses the work of pastoring to shape the soul of the pastor. John shares the heart of the gospel as life with God in the present, not just the future, and he discusses how to form people into that reality through clear pathways of discipleship, honest self-examination, and practices that lead to transformation.John and Jason also talk about the hidden pressures of ministry, the slow drift toward cynicism, and why joy is not optional for long-term faithfulness. John offers hard-won wisdom on sustaining integrity, building a real “program” of discipleship, and arranging one's life around deep contentment, joy, and confidence in everyday life with God. Together, John and Jason explore:Why God's will for us often comes down to our freedom to choose, and how decision-making forms our character,The pastorate as a crucible for character formation,The Bible's central invitation as life with God, here and now, not just “getting into heaven,”Why discipleship needs both a fellowship and a program (and what we can learn from 12-step communities)How pastors can arrange their days for deep contentment, joy, and confidence with God.John's wisdom is both tender and bracing as he reminds us that joy isn't a luxury for pastors but that it often serves as the strength that keeps a life faithful, sustainable, and rightly oriented towards God.Show NotesBecome NewSteps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't EnoughA Guide to Flourishing StudyThe Emerging Leaders LabPastors Retreat ScholarshipsPastors Retreat DetailsPartnersSpecial thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for making this episode possible. We invite you to explore their ⁠Bible Course⁠ to help your church grow in Scripture engagement.The work of strengthening pastors across Canada is only possible because of generous partners like you. As we look to the future, would you consider joining us in prayer, sharing this episode, or ⁠making a gift to invest in a vibrant, Jesus-centered church in every community⁠?

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

We all have a them.The people we quietly feel superior to.The ones we distance ourselves from.The ones we're pretty sure God should work on… preferably far away from us.In this episode, John Ortberg takes an honest look at how a condemning mind works and why Jesus' story of the Pharisee and the tax collector still exposes us today. Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard and Kenneth E. Bailey, we explore how contempt sneaks into our prayers, how “us vs. them” thinking feels spiritual, and why Jesus refuses to stand aloof from anyone.The twist?For Jesus, there is no them.If you've ever caught yourself thinking, “At least I'm not like that person,” this episode might rearrange how you see others, and how you pray. Today's Resources:Kenneth E. Bailey, Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes Lauren F. Winner, The Dangers of Christian Practice: On Wayward Gifts, Characteristic Damage, and Sin 

We're surprisingly confident judges for people who barely know the math.In this episode, John Ortberg explores why condemnation feels so natural, why it's usually way off, and how Jesus exposes the absurdity of our moral scorekeeping. Using a strange but unforgettable math exercise (and an even stranger plumbing illustration), we discover why we're uniquely qualified to judge exactly one person… ourselves.Drawing from Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we learn what “non-condemning math” really looks like—and why grace, like a stubborn plunger, works even when we think nothing else will.If you've ever felt morally superior, quietly judgmental, or secretly exhausted by your own mind, this episode is for you. And when you get it wrong (you will), there's still good news: there is now no condemnation.Today's Resources:Mihaly Csikszentnihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience 

We interview acclaimed minister and author John Ortberg in a wonderful conversation about the 12 Steps, the nature of faith, and how spirituality plays such a vital part in so many people's recovery. Special Guest: John Ortberg.

Condemnation doesn't just come from what others say about us — it also comes from the stories we tell ourselves. In this episode of Become New, John Ortberg explores how easily we slip into self-condemnation, why shame has so much power over our thoughts, and how Jesus offers a radically different way of seeing ourselves. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, and everyday experience, John shows how our minds can become trapped in false beliefs that distort reality and quietly shape how we live.This teaching invites us to slow down, notice the inner narratives driving our reactions, and learn how to bring those stories into the light of truth. If you struggle with negative self-talk, guilt, anxiety, or feeling like you're never enough, this episode offers a practical and hopeful path forward. Discover how Christian faith, spiritual formation, and the message of no condemnation can lead to greater freedom, clarity, and peace — not by denying reality, but by learning to see it truthfully.Today's Resources:Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

We live in a culture of condemnation.Online. In politics. In families. And, if we're honest, in our own hearts.In this episode, John Ortberg explores why judgment comes so easily, what actually fuels it, and the one question condemning people almost never ask. Through a powerful story made famous by Stephen Covey, we see how quickly our perceptions can shift and how grace begins not with changing behavior, but with changing how we see.Jesus invites us into a way of life marked not by assumptions, but by curiosity. Not by condemnation, but by compassion. Because the truth is simple and humbling: we never know the whole story.If you've ever judged too quickly, been misunderstood yourself, or felt trapped in cycles of irritation and self-condemnation, this episode offers a wiser, freer way forward and reminds us why the good news really is good news.Today's Resources:Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 

We live in a culture of condemnation: cancel culture, self-judgment, outrage, and quiet shame. Most of us are swimming in it without even realizing it.But the good news of Jesus points to a radically different reality: “There is now no condemnation.”In this episode, John Ortberg explores why condemnation feels so normal, how it shapes both our inner lives and our public conversations, and what it looks like to become a person of blessing instead of judgment. Along the way, we reflect on the remarkable true story of a six-year-old girl who responded to hatred not with fear or anger, but with prayer—and changed history in the process.Today's Resources:Robert Coles, The Story of Ruby BridgesDallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy 

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill explains why John Ortberg's book Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough is a helpful reminder that the 12 Steps originated from the Bible and within a church community. I see how my mom was, and I don't want to be like her. What do you recommend I do to reconnect with my husband if he thinks I'm a vacillator? I'm in my 60s, engaged, and want to do thorough premarital counseling, but my fiancé wants to move through it quickly.” My 7-year-old grandson has been touching his cousin inappropriately. My daughter is very defensive and lets him do what he wants—what should I do? What is wrong with me that I can't stand up for myself with my boss and my boyfriend? My twin sister says she would never put up with what I put up with. The foster son I raised has moved to Texas, and it's been an adjustment for me.

What if one of the most important spiritual practices is learning to laugh at yourself?This teaching centers on Rule #62, a simple but liberating wisdom that emerged from the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous: Don't take yourself too seriously. Drawing on Christian thinkers, church history, Scripture, and everyday life, John Ortberg invites us to be freed from the exhausting burden of self-importance.Joy is not frivolous. Humor is not shallow. And humility is not self-hatred. They are deeply connected, rooted in the very character of God. From Abraham and Sarah's laughter to the resurrection itself, Scripture reveals a God who brings joy, who relieves gravity, and who delights in human lightness.Today's invitation is simple but powerful: stop playing God. Let yourself be human. And let joy ripple outward to everyone around you.

There is a virtue that doesn't get much love anymore.It sounds cautious. Boring. Overly careful. But the ancient world believed that PRUDENCE was the hinge on which a good life turns. In this episode, John Ortberg reclaims prudence as a courageous commitment to reality. Not wishful thinking. Not emotional reaction. But clear-eyed wisdom that asks: What is really going on, and what is the most loving, skillful way forward?Drawing from Scripture, the story of Abraham Lincoln, and the biblical image of “the stars fighting in their courses,” this teaching invites us to trust that God is already at work in reality itself.The most prudent thing you can do today may simply be to face what's real and take one wise step forward.

Forgiveness is never simple. And it's rarely quick.In this episode, John Ortberg explores a powerful, research-backed practice that helps move forgiveness from an idea into the heart. Drawing from the story of Joseph and his brothers, and the work of psychologist Everett Worthington, we're invited into a deceptively simple exercise involving two chairs.Forgiveness does not excuse harm. It does not erase boundaries. And it does not guarantee reconciliation. But it does free us from being trapped by resentment and bitterness. This teaching offers a compassionate, practical way to begin that journey, even when wounds are deep and time has passed.What if forgiveness isn't something you feel first, but something you practice?

Every human being longs for significance.Not just to be busy. Not just to be successful. But to know that their presence has made a difference in someone else's life. In this teaching, John Ortberg explores five relational needs identified by psychologist David Richo that help people flourish: attention, acceptance, affection, appreciation, and allowance.These are not abstract ideas. They show up in marriages, friendships, families, workplaces, and churches. They reveal the heart of God and the way Jesus treated people, especially those who were often overlooked.What if today you chose to help one person feel seen, valued, and free? That might be the most significant thing you do all day.

Your face is never neutral. It communicates hope or fear, welcome or distance, trust or anxiety. In this reflection, John Ortberg explores the profound idea that our faces are not just physical features but outward expressions of our inner life and our sense of God's presence.Drawing from the Gospel of John, the teachings of Jesus, and wisdom from Dallas Willard, this episode invites us to consider what it means that God made himself known in a face. Not an abstraction. Not an idea. But in Jesus. The Word made flesh.What if the invitation today is not to manage your face, but to let God reshape your inner life so that joy, trust, and love naturally shine through?You are not alone. And it shows.

Every January, millions of people make bold resolutions.And by mid-January… they're negotiating with a Twinkie.In this teaching, John Ortberg draws on wisdom from Dallas Willard to explain why willpower alone always fails—and why that's not because you're weak, lazy, or spiritually defective.The real issue isn't effort. It's vision.We don't fail because we want the Twinkie too much. We fail because we don't yet have a compelling vision of life without it. This episode invites you to stop trying harder and start living inside a bigger, truer vision of life with God—one where God is here, God is able, and God is good.Also, yes. Everyone has a Twinkie.

Why do so many goals fail, even when our intentions are good?John Ortberg explores why lasting change doesn't begin with outcomes or even habits, but with identity. Drawing on wisdom from James Clear, the apostle Paul, and everyday experience, we're invited to ask a deeper question: Who am I becoming?Transformation isn't about achieving “it.” It's about becoming a certain kind of person and allowing small, faithful habits to shape us over time. This is a vision of change that is patient, grace-filled, and rooted in God's work within us.What if today isn't about fixing everything, but about taking one small step toward the person God is forming?

We tend to believe contentment is always just around the corner. One change away. One upgrade away. One new season away. But what if that belief is the very thing stealing joy from our lives?John Ortberg reflects on wisdom from C. S. Lewis and The Screwtape Letters, inviting us to rediscover God's gift of rhythm: change and permanence held together. Seasons that repeat. Days that feel familiar. Moments we rush past without seeing the miracle inside them.Contentment, it turns out, isn't about getting a new life. It's about seeing the same life with new eyes. Eyes of gratitude. Eyes of love.What if today, right now, is more than enough?

What if worry isn't just a bad habit but a misunderstanding of reality?John Ortberg invites us to reconsider how we see God, how we see the world, and how we carry today's concerns. What if trust is not passive resignation, but active attentiveness to a God who is already here?Jesus taught that with a good and competent God present all around us, the universe is a perfectly safe place to be. Not easy. Not painless. But safe. In this episode, we sit with some of Jesus' most unsettling words about anxiety, provision, and trust, alongside wisdom from Dallas Willard and an unforgettable illustration involving a dog, a wagging tail, and deep focus.Take a breath. Look around. And consider living today as if Jesus was right.

Becomenew.com/Give Thank you for being on the journey with us. We are so grateful and plan to keep at it.We will return with FRESH teaching from John on January 1st and then again January 19th for our new series: NO CONDEMNATION.

Regardless of what anyone believes about Jesus, it's impossible to deny his impact. In this special Christmas teaching, John Ortberg asks a simple but profound question: Who is this man? Without religious hype or argument, this episode explores how one uneducated carpenter from Nazareth reshaped history, compassion, human dignity, education, art, forgiveness, and hope itself. If you've ever wondered why Jesus still matters, this is an invitation to look honestly and decide for yourself.

Last weekend was filled with terrible news, including a mass shooting in Australia, another at Brown University, and the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife. Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss these events and why rediscovering the biblical practice of lament is better than just "thoughts and prayers." The Catholic Church has taken a nuanced and principled position on the deportation of immigrants. Why do evangelicals find that so difficult? Then John Ortberg talks with Skye about his latest book, which applies the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to Christian spiritual formation. It's called "Steps: A guide to transforming your life when willpower isn't enough." Also this week, the U.K. is building a giant Möbius strip for God. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146012515/   Bonus Interview with John Ortberg: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145907370/   0:00 - Show Starts   2:00 - Theme Song   2:23 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 welcome pack when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST   3:50  - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST   4:56 - Mass Shooting in Australia   14:08 - The Murder of Rob Reiner   17:55 - Lament   24:37 - The Catholic Church and Immigration   28:37 - Murkiness of the US Immigration Crisis   37:10 - UK Prayer Mobius Strip   45:15 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com/holypost and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!   46:25 - Sponsor - Aura Frames - Need a Great Christmas Gift? Use code HOLYPOST at checkout to save $45-off the Carver Mat Aura Frame at https://www.AuraFrames.com   52:45 - A Wimpy Step One   1:00:14 - Showing Up   1:12:10 - Giving Up Control vs Giving Up Agency   1:24:06 - End Credits   Links Mentioned in News Segment: Deportation and the Catholic Church: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/268183/cna-explains-when-is-a-deportation-policy-intrinsically-evil   Mobius Strip of Prayer in the UK: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/uk-answered-prayer-monument-landmark-richard-gamble/   Other Resources: Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough by John Ortberg: https://amzn.to/4q9YSJN   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  

Anxiety doesn't just make you stressed — it makes you reactive. And reactivity spreads. In this powerful conversation, John Ortberg and Steve Cuss break down why family dynamics, stress, conflict, and unmet expectations trigger us… and how Jesus models a different way.Learn practical tools from systems theory, explore the false gospel of “the kingdom of me,” and discover how to become a non-anxious presence this Advent season.

This powerful true story from Burundi will change the way you think about courage, faith, and hope. John Ortberg shares the moving account of “Little Bird,” a Hutu teacher whose final act was to pray for his executioners and sing a hymn of surrender to Jesus.Discover what real Christian hope looks like — not in comfort, but in costly, radiant trust.If you need strength today, this story will meet you.

Honesty is one of the most valued qualities in relationships — yet one of the hardest to practice consistently. In this insightful conversation, John Ortberg and Dr. Rick Blackmon explore why honesty matters so deeply, why deception wounds us, and how truth-telling can rebuild intimacy and trust.Together they look at research from Christian Miller, the Honesty Project, and real stories from counseling — revealing practical ways we can grow in honesty starting today.