THE CYNIC. IS IT I? by M. H. Brown

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 19, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 38.

THE CYNIC. IS IT I?

By M. H. Brown

THE cynic is always a critic. He sees and talks of the defects and weaknesses of men and things, and, what is worse, he becomes so habituated to viewing faults and wrongs that he suspects they exist even where they are not visible. And ever when a person's act is apparently good, he will insinuate that the motive that prompted it was a selfish one. Nothing is right, and nothing escapes his sharp and withering criticism. Unconsciously to himself, he virtually declares his great discernment, his profound wisdom, and his immaculate goodness. The man who talks of the faults of others proclaims that he is good, that he would not be guilty of such things; so that really the habit of faultfinding and criticizing is a manifestation of selfishness and a form of self-exaltation.

But the question may be asked, "Are we not to discern and call attention to the signs of the times and the increasing wickedness of these last days?"—Most assuredly. But we are also to heed what God's Word enjoins upon us, in regard to our words and thoughts. It says, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8. Again it instructs us "to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men." Titus 3:2. See also Eph. 4:30-32; 1 Peter 2:1; Matt. 7:12. How can we obey the instruction of the Lord in these scriptures, and give the message for our time as recorded in Isa. 58:1; Rev. 14:8, and 18:2-4? Surely there is no lack of harmony in God's requirements. Obedience to one of God's commands does not make it necessary to disobey another.

Truth may be preached and the message proclaimed without denouncing men, or sects, or parties. Error and false systems of religion may be exposed without denouncing their adherents. Our aim should be to save men, by preaching Christ, and showing the beauty and harmony of truth and righteousness in contrast with error and sin. Men are not won to Christ and His cause by denunciation and criticism. Love is the conquering power of the Gospel. Love is merciful, pitiful, and compassionate. It "covers a multitude of sins." It "suffers long and is kind." It abhors sin and wrong, but it loves the sinner, and seeks in every right way to win his confidence and his heart. "Every one of us should weed out of our conversation everything that is harsh and severe. We should not indulge in condemning

others, and we will not do so if we are one with Christ."

There is great danger that we shall fix our eyes and our minds upon the dark picture of sin and crime in our world, and dwell upon it and talk about it until we become changed into the same image. It is too late in the day to become molded into the image of the world by beholding its wickedness, talking of its doings, practising its ways, and partaking of its spirit. If others are referred to unfavorably in social intercourse, the Christian will not enjoy such remarks. He will never sanction or encourage evil-speaking and backbiting; on the contrary, he will seek to turn the conversation into other channels, or he will speak of some good trait, something to commend in the one who is the subject of criticism. Perhaps the one who is criticised has as few faults as those who censure him, and may be a true, sincere Christian. It would have a salutary effect on the true Christian to remember always the words of the Saviour, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matt. 25:40.

Yes, Christ identifies Himself with His people so closely that He counts every unkind word, every harsh remark, and every censuring statement uttered against one of His children, or any one else, as really against Himself. This is because all men belong to God, both by creation and redemption. He loves them with an infinite love; He gave His Son to die for them, and He graciously invites them all to accept the great salvation. He wants them won by love, the only potent force in saving people from sin, and the only one which God employs, or authorizes any one to employ in His work. Therefore when we indulge in evil-speaking, censuring, and fault-finding, we speak evil of the law and judge the law, because the law requires that we love our neighbor as ourselves. James 4:11. Satan is the great accuser, and accusing is one form of his violation of the divine law of love; and all who indulge in this terrible sin of evil-speaking manifest the spirit of Satan and not the Spirit of Christ. A careful reading of James 3 will show how God regards the use of the tongue. See also Prov. 10:11; 11:13; 15:26; 16:24, 27, 28; 17:9; 18:8, 21; 20:19; 21:23; 25:23; 26:20, 21, 28.

The Saviour says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matt. 12:34. The person who is constantly indulging in criticism of the acts and motives of others, shows that his own heart is devoid of that love and sympathy which God has for poor, fallen humanity, and that it is controlled by the spirit which inspires Satan in his work of accusing the brethren, and opposing the work of God. Love "thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." 1 Cor. 13:5, 6. Love produces kindness, sympathy, and tender compassion for all, especially the erring and the fallen. "Let brotherly love continue."

M. H. BROWN.