In "Other" Words - Tuesdays at CWO

lie [lahy] /noun, verb, lied, ly•ing.
–noun
1. a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.
2. something intended or serving to convey a false impression; imposture: His flashy car was a lie that deceived no one.
3. an inaccurate or false statement.
4. the charge or accusation of lying: He flung the lie back at his accusers.
–verb (used without object)
5. to speak falsely or utter untruth knowingly, as with intent to deceive.
6. to express what is false; convey a false impression.
–verb (used with object)
7. to bring about or affect by lying (often used reflexively): to lie oneself out of a difficulty; accustomed to lying his way out of difficulties.
—Idioms
8. give the lie to,
a. to accuse of lying; contradict.
b. to prove or imply the falsity of; belie: His poor work gives the lie to his claims of experience.
9. lie in one's throat or teeth, to lie grossly or maliciously: If she told you exactly the opposite of what she told me, she must be lying in her teeth. Also, lie through one's teeth.

truth [ trooth]
–noun, plural truths
1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.
6. an obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude.
7. honesty; integrity; truthfulness.
8. (often initial capital letter) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience: the basic truths of life.
9. agreement with a standard or original.
10. accuracy, as of position or adjustment.
11. Archaic . fidelity or constancy.
—Idiom
12. in truth, in reality; in fact; actually: In truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empire.
—Synonyms fact, veracity, sincerity, candor, frankness, precision, exactness.
—Antonyms falsehood, falsity.

bond•age [ bon-dij ]
–noun
1. slavery or involuntary servitude; serfdom.
2. the state of being bound by or subjected to some external power or control.
3. the state or practice of being physically restrained, as by being tied up, chained, or put in handcuffs, for -- gratification.
4. Early English Law . personal subjection to the control of a superior; villeinage.
—Synonyms 1. captivity, restraint; prison. See SLAVERY. 2. thralldom, captivity, confinement, imprisonment.

There is a saying that goes Satan's greatest achievement was convincing the world that he doesn't exist.

George Barna is a well-known Christian researcher and takes numerous polls regarding Christian living, beliefs and worldviews, among other things. Here are some results that might really shock you that were taken of those who claim to be "some kind" of Christian between 2002 and 2006:

"There are no absolute standards for morals and ethics." Seven out of 10 people surveyed in two different surveys said they agreed with it! That means, in a room of 10 people, seven of them would deny that there are any objective moral rules that should govern their behavior! (Less than one out of three "born again" Christians adopt the notion of absolute moral truth. The surveys also found that few Americans turn to their faith as the primary guide for their moral and ethical decisions.)

Nine out of ten Americans affiliate themselves with a congregation, denomination, or other religious group. In fact, less than 5% of Americans claim a faith outside of the Judeo-Christian mainstream. However, among those who would label themselves as mainline Protestants, 22% believe the Bible is an ancient book of history and legends, another 22% never read the Bible, 12% never pray, and 14% never attend a weekly service and only 4% of American adults have a biblical worldview as the basis of their decision-making.

71% of Americans, 64% of "born-agains," and 40% of "evangelicals" reject absolute truth

67% of Americans say there is no such thing as right and wrong. A Barna Group report showed that the generation leading the way toward moral relativism is Generation X. Born between 1965 and 1983, this generation rejected absolute truth by a staggering 78%!

"Only three out of ten born-again parents included the salvation of their child in the list of critical parental emphases."

More than two out of every five adults (41%) believe that when Jesus Christ lived on earth He committed sins. (2006)

28% of born agains agree that "while he lived on earth, Jesus committed sins, like other people".

In 2006 more than half of adult born again Christians say that the devil, or Satan, is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.

In 2006 45% of born again Christians deny Satan's existence at all.

Based on interviews with 601 Senior Pastors nationwide, representing a random cross-section of Protestant churches, only half of the country's Protestant pastors - 51% - have a biblical worldview. Defining such a worldview as believing that absolute moral truth exists, that it is based upon the Bible, and having a biblical view on six core beliefs (the accuracy of biblical teaching, the sinless nature of Jesus, the literal existence of Satan, the omnipotence and omniscience of God, salvation by grace alone, and the personal responsibility to evangelize).

If you look at that list again, taken among supposedly "born again" Christians, it might shock you a little bit (ok, a lot) to know that those who supposedly have given their lives over to Christ, believe as they do. Satan has done such a good job of convincing people that he doesn't truly exist that even almost HALF of so-called Christians have bought into that lie and believe that they are "safe".

Many people prefer to live their lives by believing that they are in control, that they make the rules governing their lives and that there are no real consequences to their actions. They prefer to live the lie that they are the gods of their life instead of understanding that there is only One God and that He is in control and always will be. Nothing happens to us that God does not allow.

Many people prefer to go through life with blinders on so that they can pretend that there is nobody higher than themselves in their own little world.

There is a reason why vanity (pride) is one of the seven deadly sins. In reality, it is vanity that is the source for the other sins as well. In the movie, The Devil's Advocate, Satan, as played by Al Pachino (et al) says at the end "Vanity...it is my favorite sin". Ecclesiastes 1:2 says "...Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." God has given us a little piece of eternity through our souls so that we yearn for it, for immortality, and instead of looking to God to fulfill that need the devil has twisted that desire to make many believe that they are their own god - that they need to look no further than themselves to take care of their problems, that they do not to lean on anyone but their own selves, that they and only they can "fix" their own problems without help or guidance from an "invisible God", that they are "entitled" to big houses, big money jobs, fast cars and trophy spouses to enhance their standing in the world. So therefore they live life as though they need nothing or nobody but their own self-reliance to make it through life. Satan preys upon their natural vanity.

How lonely of a life is that? How unfulfilling and empty of a life does one lead when all they have to rely on to get them through the tough times is their own selves?

For those who are truly Christians, this earth is the only hell they will ever know. For those who are without Christ, this earth is the only heaven they will ever know. In reality, it's all about where you spend eternity and Satan knows where he is headed in the end and is all about trying to bring as many people with him as possible. You know the other saying: Misery loves company.