It is only the cynic who claims “to speak the truth” at all…

It is only the cynic who claims “to speak the truth” at all times and in all places to all men in the same way, but who, in fact, displays nothing but a lifeless image of the truth. . . . He dons the halo of the fanatical devotee of truth who can make no allowance for human weaknesses; but, in fact, he is destroying the living truth between men. He wounds shame, desecrates mystery, breaks confidence, betrays the community in which he lives, and laughs arrogantly at the devastation he has wrought and at the human weakness which “cannot bear the truth.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

You know what I find interesting about people who are cynical like this? They act like if you would just follow their lead, if you would just do what they said, if you would just listen and acknowledge that they are right then they’d no longer be angry.

We know that’s not true. It’s almost laughable because as soon as everything was perfect, they’d find something else that wasn’t perfect and throw their anger and cynicism toward that.

They claim to follow truth but they use it as a weapon. I don’t know how you exhibit the fruit of the spirit with your teeth gritted and fist clenched in anger around the handle of a sword. Seems like that would be the exact prescription to display the fruit of the flesh.

Note: I’ve been on a Bonhoeffer kick lately; I’m so enjoying reading “The Faithful Spy” by @johnhendrix . It’s an amazing work of art!