Being Cynical about Being Cynical
The cynic sees the bruise in the apple, while missing the sweetness and smell, the enjoyable taste as you bite into this delectable fruit. He throws the apple out because of a single flaw. He (or she) sees the person in worn-out clothing, or with multiple tatoos, enter church and makes quick assumptions. They must be from the wrong side of the tracks, must be uneducated, must be lacking in virtue. And maybe those things are true, but the cynic will allow the assumptions to overshadow his attitude toward the person who needs Jesus, just as the cynic does. H.L. Mencken once said, “The cynic is someone who, when he smells flowers, looks for a coffin.” Why should we be cynical about cynicism?
I could set on my deck and watch buzzards circle above the field behind our house. They do so as they look for the dead and decaying animal that lies somewhere out there. A cynic is like that, always on the lookout for something to criticize, something to complain about. And with buzzard-like eyes, they will always find their decaying prey. Unlike the buzzard, people have a choice about the attitude they carry around. A consistent negative outlook that seeks the wrong, seeks to pounce on the mistake, the flaw, rarely helps the situation. Their criticism may be accurate, but their attitude poisons the atmosphere.
In ancient Greece, the sect called Cynics wore the symbol of a dog as they roamed the streets of Athens. Like dogs they were constantly sniffing around, seeking the wrongs in society to point out. Finding a grievance was easy, because the critic usually finds what they’re looking for. Proverbs 11:27 says, “Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who looks for it.”
We have much that is wrong with our modern society in America. Watch the news and you’ll quickly have a lot to complain about. We are divided. Instead of seeking common ground to rally around, we go to our polar location and cast dispersions on those at the other polar extreme. And indeed, there is much to be concerned about as our culture reels from the movement away from Godly standards of conduct, our moral compass drawn by some magnetic pull other than the divine call to discipleship. Will God come to our rescue, or are we experiencing his judgment against so-called “Christians” who disregard his principles and commands? I’m not sure, but as we actively seek to do our part in standing for the ways of our Maker, we also need to guard our attitudes, to also seek the pure and praiseworthy.
“Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” That’s what Paul told the Philippians (4:8). That didn’t mean Paul overlooked all that needed correcting, his letters are full of admonitions. But he realized that living the life God wants must be couched in encouragement and thoughts that see the good of God, the good of his creation, the good potential of people, amid all the bad.
Our prayers need to be for strength to present the light of the gospel in a dark society. To allow room for repentance, as we do our best to educate in the truth of scripture and of Jesus as Lord. “Nothing can be done!” says the cynic, so he does nothing. But the cynic is wrong, something can be done, by the power of our God and by people who see his good and proclaim it, acting in humble service. Not all will respond to the light of the gospel, but few will heed the call of the cynic.
Cross Point: “How long, O simple one, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing?” Prov. 1:22. (Credit to Dan Schantz for borrowed illustrations: Christian Standard “Reflections” article, 5/30/93.)
I could set on my deck and watch buzzards circle above the field behind our house. They do so as they look for the dead and decaying animal that lies somewhere out there. A cynic is like that, always on the lookout for something to criticize, something to complain about. And with buzzard-like eyes, they will always find their decaying prey. Unlike the buzzard, people have a choice about the attitude they carry around. A consistent negative outlook that seeks the wrong, seeks to pounce on the mistake, the flaw, rarely helps the situation. Their criticism may be accurate, but their attitude poisons the atmosphere.
In ancient Greece, the sect called Cynics wore the symbol of a dog as they roamed the streets of Athens. Like dogs they were constantly sniffing around, seeking the wrongs in society to point out. Finding a grievance was easy, because the critic usually finds what they’re looking for. Proverbs 11:27 says, “Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who looks for it.”
We have much that is wrong with our modern society in America. Watch the news and you’ll quickly have a lot to complain about. We are divided. Instead of seeking common ground to rally around, we go to our polar location and cast dispersions on those at the other polar extreme. And indeed, there is much to be concerned about as our culture reels from the movement away from Godly standards of conduct, our moral compass drawn by some magnetic pull other than the divine call to discipleship. Will God come to our rescue, or are we experiencing his judgment against so-called “Christians” who disregard his principles and commands? I’m not sure, but as we actively seek to do our part in standing for the ways of our Maker, we also need to guard our attitudes, to also seek the pure and praiseworthy.
“Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” That’s what Paul told the Philippians (4:8). That didn’t mean Paul overlooked all that needed correcting, his letters are full of admonitions. But he realized that living the life God wants must be couched in encouragement and thoughts that see the good of God, the good of his creation, the good potential of people, amid all the bad.
Our prayers need to be for strength to present the light of the gospel in a dark society. To allow room for repentance, as we do our best to educate in the truth of scripture and of Jesus as Lord. “Nothing can be done!” says the cynic, so he does nothing. But the cynic is wrong, something can be done, by the power of our God and by people who see his good and proclaim it, acting in humble service. Not all will respond to the light of the gospel, but few will heed the call of the cynic.
Cross Point: “How long, O simple one, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing?” Prov. 1:22. (Credit to Dan Schantz for borrowed illustrations: Christian Standard “Reflections” article, 5/30/93.)
Posted in Cross Points