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Hello everyone! I have a new podcast episode over on the blog. Just in case you missed the last episode, you can find that one here. Today’s podcast episode is entitled, “The Sin of Cynicism-Part 1”. My podcast is now available on YouTube. Click here to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for podcast episodes.
The Sin of Cynicism Podcast Outline
- Definition of Cynicism
- Factors that Predispose Us for Cynicism
- Abuse and Cynicism
- Podcast Transcript
Good evening! Welcome to the Healing Our Brokenness Podcast. Today’s recording is Episode 25: “The Sin of Cynicism-Part 1”
Definition of Cynicism
Cynicism is the process of being a scorner, doubter, scoffer, having paranoia, mistrust, and skepticism about things. Everyone is cynical at one time or another, however, cynicism becomes a concern when it gets in the way of life’s joys for us, other people being around us, and it is labeled as part of our brokenness.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
(Psalm 1:1)
Factors that Predispose Us for Cynicism
There are several factors that make up the reasons for one adopting cynicism as part of their lifestyle:
- You have experienced a lot of issues with betrayal.
- There are historical patterns of things not working out in your favor, or working out in a way that is undesirable to you.
- You get to the point of seeing too much and hearing too much to think that things will be different.
- Most of the people that you trusted let you down.
- The few times that you thought things would turn out good, they turned out bad, and you lost faith in believing that things could be different.
Whatever, the case may be, from the outside looking in, it is easy to be judgmental to something we don’t understand. It is not a license for us to commit the sin. However, empathy helps us to understand that the sin of cynicism is just like having any other sin. It becomes addictive, spreads like a disease, creates negativity, and begs for more.
After having to deal with a divorce from a toxic individual, I experienced some cynicism creeping in. As a matter of fact, I had someone to mention it to me. It made me become more aware of when I was allowing it to get a foothold.
Abuse and Cynicism
I have also noticed that when individuals have been abused, and the abuser has run an all-out smear campaign packed with lies against the victim , and then brainwashes, and pulls in the victim’s family, it becomes the perfect tool for Satan to intertwine inside this person as a stronghold, rather than just a phase of grief.
The individual starts to believe that no one can be trusted. We know that this isn’t true. However, when we are in pain, we often shake hands with Satan for all kinds of addictions and coping mechanisms to cover up our hurt.
We can vacillate from one end of the spectrum to another. Either we are too trusting, or we distrust everyone.
Trust takes a while to gain. When trust is broken through lies and betrayal, we are left with the thoughts in our minds that everyone will do the same thing that this person or persons did to us.
Replacing our pain and hurt with healing is the hard, but fruitful way out of cynicism. But as with any coping mechanism, what we have allowed to go on for so long becomes part of our normal and dysfunctional patterns of behavior.
When things aren’t happening our way, in our will, and in our timing, we trade whole faith and God’s promises for broken pieces of cynicism.
I want to leave you with some bible verses to help you if the sin of cynicism is a part of your brokenness:
Romans 11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham,[a] a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
The Example of Christ-Romans 15: 1-7
15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Thank you for listening to Episode 25 of Healing Our Brokenness: “The Sin of Cynicism-Part 1”. Remember if this podcast is making a difference in your life, recommend a friend for listening. Thanks, and have a beautifully blessed weekend!
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