02. Why Do I Get So Defensive?

Do you really want the truth about yourself, or would you rather have it sugarcoated? John Ortberg explores why honest self-examination matters for spiritual growth and how knowing we are loved gives us the courage to face what needs to change. In episode two of Become New’s series on sin, the seven deadly sins, and grace, John draws on Dallas Willard, Peter Jones’s Self-Help from the Middle Ages, and a story about Wendell Berry as a demanding writing teacher. He considers Jesus’ hard words to his disciples and the ways we minimize attitudes and behaviors that damage our lives and relationships. The invitation is to ask God for both honesty and grace: help me see the truth about myself, and help me know that I am loved. Today’s practice: Revisit one piece of feedback you have resisted. Ask God what may be true in it, and take one small step toward becoming a more loving person. Scripture explored: Romans 1:28–32; Mark 8:31–33; Mark 9:14–29. Related Scripture: Psalm 139:23; Ephesians 4:15. Subscribe to Become New for regular teaching from John Ortberg and practical encouragement to grow with God in everyday life. #JohnOrtberg #BecomeNew #SpiritualGrowth 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson License# MB01XUUTGU633PL 00:00 Do you want truth or softness? 00:43 Facing the reality of our condition 01:09 Self-help from the Middle Ages 02:33 Sugarcoating difficult feedback 03:31 Wendell Berry’s demanding classroom 04:51 A teacher who cared enough to be honest 06:19 Jesus speaks hard truth 07:17 What gets in the way of becoming good? 08:02 Hearing Scripture as a diagnosis 08:36 The sins we excuse 09:53 An invitation to honest self-examination 10:42 Knowing we are loved 11:04 Wendell Berry’s “Original Sin” 12:06 Today’s prayer: Truth and grace