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.
📚 Today's Resources:
Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
Iris Murdoch, The Sovereignty of Good
Yoel Kahn, The Three Blessings: Boundaries, Censorship, and Identity in Jewish Liturgy
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