Cynicism is Not a Spiritual Gift?

Cynicism/cynical: Merriam Webster defines it as; attitude or temper. The Bible speaks of two subjects, primarily Sex and Speech. Cynicism is not cynicism unless spoken, taking captive those thoughts that vere away from "loving thy neighbor." Sarcasm fits in with this as well. Both are roots for anger. I call them "dart throwers." The synonym for this word is pessimistic. So can we count it all joy, if we have archery experts in cynicism and sarcasm? These are not Gods "fruit of the spirit." They are the bad fruit that Gods speaks of that Satan uses in his arsenal of weaponry to rouine relationships.

I have found the hard way that when we display impatience and sternness toward others due to their human frailities that the Lord has a way of humbling me to bring me to sensitivity in this matter through faults of my own. Often we are not patient with ourselves- nor forgiving and our worst critics. Perhaps this is why we so often find it hard to see things in people through the eyes of love. Love and forgiveness are the cornerstones of Christianity and the measuring stick of the fruit we bear. It is not in the greatest of deeds we do for others that matter as much as the unconditional love and forgiveness we extend. May God continue to sensitize me to see things and respond as He would as this is our greatest witness.

Valerie Caraotta

It is helpful for me to ask God to be in my eyes in my looking, be in my ears in my listening, be in my mouth in my speaking, and be in my head in my understanding (a song many years ago sung by Whitney Phipps). Allow God to change your mind about things.

The PJ O'Rourke comment was hilarious. After all we are all like sheep, not the brightest animal. You've hit a nerve here, how do we stay "wise as serpents & harmless as doves" without hardening our hearts? You've given us some pointers & a topic worth chewing on. Thanks.