For defining's sake, a cynic is a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons.
By a very strict definition, I am not a cynic, at least not entirely. But that is too kind. As the saying goes, if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, chances are that it is a duck. So, how do you know if you are a cynic? One oft-spoken phrase I catch myself using is this, "I am just honestly speaking...don't you agree/think so?" The toxicity doesn't come from the honesty, but from the appalling lack of grace in conducting it.
For wholly pragmatic reasons, I prefer not to deny my cynical behavior, since it so shows in my day-to-day habits. But why is cynicism so frowned upon? Is there no cause to be cynical?
For wholly pragmatic reasons, I prefer not to deny my cynical behavior, since it so shows in my day-to-day habits. But why is cynicism so frowned upon? Is there no cause to be cynical?
If I were not a believer in Christ, then there is every reason to remain a cynic. However, thirteen years of being a Christian has yielded a very simple truth: a Christian cannot remain a cynic. The two are immiscible, like oil and water. I dare not speak for other faiths, but I speak for every believer who is found in Christ and call Him Lord and Savior. We cannot be cynics. That is not to say we will not stumble into cynical behavior from time to time. After all, we need His grace day by day to live a godly life. And because His grace changes us to be more like Him, we have hope that we will be truly, fully unselfish one day.
So what am I saying? A Christian cannot be both godly and cynical at the same time. He is one or the other; walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh.
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." - Romans 14:17 states that the Kingdom is about living life in the Holy Spirit, marked by godly living in peace and joy.
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:1-4 states that if I am part of the Kingdom, then being united one heart and one mind with fellow believers is crucial. A cynic criticizes because he believes he 'sees' better than others...and maybe even is better than others. A Christian persuades with love and patience, speaking the truth in love.
Finally, I want to borrow the words of the Lord Jesus Himself on hypocrisy, because we are all sinners saved and secured by grace. Jesus Himself said this in Luke 6:41-42, "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye."
So, time to put away that cloak of cynicism, dear Christian. Put on the new nature, that shines the glorious goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Postscript: I preach to myself, that I may not be disqualified in the Day of His coming. For what good is it if I gain the whole world, yet lose my soul?
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