Holy But Harmful-The Silent Sin of Judgment

Judgment is everywhere-sometimes loud and obvious, other times hidden in silence, humor, or even faith. Holy but Harmful: The Silent Sin of Judgment exposes how judgment creeps into our families, friendships, workplaces, and spiritual communities, often disguised as love or concern. Far from harmless, judgment isolates, wounds, and erodes trust.

In this powerful and deeply personal book, Dr. Jacalyn Kerbeck – The Listening Mentor® and Founder of USA GLOBAL TV® & RADIO – invites readers to confront judgment in its many forms: from gossip, labels, and stereotypes to silent disapproval and systemic bias. Drawing on her own lived experiences, global interviews, and research from psychology, neuroscience, and faith traditions, Dr. Kerbeck shows how judgment destabilizes our deepest human needs for safety, belonging, and esteem.

Through real stories, case studies, and reflective questions, this book challenges you to recognize hidden judgment in your own life and equips you with tools to break free from it. At the heart of this transformation is Elevated Listening® – a practice of listening without interruption, problem-solving, stage-hogging, or judgment.

Readers will learn how to:

Recognize judgment disguised as advice, humor, or concern
Understand how hidden biases shape everyday interactions
Replace judgment with curiosity, compassion, and dignity
Create safe spaces for authentic conversations
Strengthen relationships through intentional listening

Holy but Harmful: The Silent Sin of Judgment is both a mirror and a guide. It shines a light on the silent sin we rarely admit but all carry – and offers a hopeful path forward toward deeper connections, inner peace, and a more compassionate world.