Become New with John Ortberg How to Stop Playing God (and Why It Matters)
8 snips
Jan 9, 2026 Discover the liberating wisdom of not taking yourself too seriously. Explore Rule #62 from Alcoholics Anonymous and how humor is a vital spiritual discipline. Hear delightful anecdotes from church history that highlight the dangers of pride and the joy found in humility. John Ortberg emphasizes the ripple effect of laughter, illustrating how joy is deeply rooted in faith. From the lightheartedness of Biblical figures to actionable advice for embracing imperfections, this conversation invites you to be human and let joy flourish.
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Let Go Of Self-Importance
- Don't take yourself so seriously; stop playing God and loosen your grip on self-importance today.
- Let go of perfectionism and self-image to relieve pressure and invite freedom into your life.
Laughter Undermines Pride
- Pride makes us spiritually vulnerable because excessive self-importance is what brought down Lucifer.
- Mocking pride and laughing at oneself undermines the devil's power, according to classic Christian thinkers.
Pope John XXIII's Angelic Advice
- John Ortberg recounts Pope John XXIII calming an anxious archbishop with a guardian angel who said, 'don't take yourself so seriously.'
- The story models humility as a practiced spiritual discipline, not self-hatred.
