So how do we fight cynicism? (See part one for context).
Since cynicism is primarily a sin of anger, then we fight cynicism by fighting anger. But we often don’t want to fight anger. We don’t want to fight because we feel justified in the way we feel. To give up anger often means having to give up our correct position – a position we think we deserve.
We must move forward, though, before the arrogance grows until it envelops our whole self. That is, until we are just a SELF, nothing more.
So first, as in all anger, we must humble ourselves. Cynicism says, “the world would be a better place if people just thought like me.” We have to give up this position. The world would be a better place if the cynic immediately forgoes their superiority.
Of course it is easy to say that the prideful must humble themselves. How simple! But cynicism is the outcome of an identity – an identity where knowledge has puffed us up. And identities are not easy given up. Identities can’t just be dropped, they need to be replaced.
If cynicism says, “I distrust you because I know better,” than a new identity must say, “how can I understand you and help you?” But how to get this new identity? How do we truly seek to understand and serve people?
We clothe ourselves in the story of the One who understood us and served us anyway. Jesus is superior! But instead of flaunting his superiority, he clothed himself as a servant. He put himself in our position.
But he didn’t do this for innocent victims. He did this for arrogant people, people who thought they were better than others. Jesus was better than others! But he willingly took our reproach upon himself, and gave us his righteousness.
