“The whole world is full of lies. You can’t help telling some and you can’t help believing some.”
~ Fess Parker, as Daniel Boone, 1965 Daniel Boone TV show, “The Hostages.”
I was a private investigator and a lie detection examiner for many years. Working alongside my husband in his investigation agency, we dealt with lies, distortions, and cover-ups on a regular basis.
Deception is the act of intentionally misleading another by lying or concealing the truth, and figures into my latest book release, Sweet Deceit. Interestingly, the Bible specifically warns: “Do not be misled” in 1 Cor. 15: 33.
But what if we don’t recognize deceit? Remember Little Red Riding Hood? The wolf dressed up like the Grandma to fool the little girl. It’s a classic story of evil masquerading as good and here is a truth. Bad often disguises itself as good.
In Sweet Deceit, some citizens are much like the wolf posing as the sweet grandmother. The small town of Sugarville known for its streets named for desserts, shops offering sweets, and an annual Confection Fair has a sugar-coated façade but underneath flows an undercurrent of corruption.
In the real world, there are wolves—people functioning with evil intent—that we may encounter who will put on the guise of good works and positive social standing in order to achieve their goals. If you read on in the I Corinthian 15:33, the verse explains that deception produces “bad company that corrupts good character.”
The Sugarville townspeople in Sweet Deceit prefer to turn a blind eye to unlawful activity, accept it as tradition, and resent anyone trying to change things.
This leads to another proverbial truth people of Sweet County display: “A man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart” (Proverbs 21:2). It’s easy to fall into a trap of tolerance and self-reliance.
So how do we NOT be deceived?
Here are three ways to avoid deception:
- Pray for wisdom and discernment-
Intentionally seek and pray for good judgment. Proverbs 2:6-7 states: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.” In our culture we are bombarded with messages that may seem genuine but what is under the surface? Fact or fiction? And can you rely on the “fact checkers?” In Sweet Deceit, the sheriff follows his mother’s example when confronted with the task of cleaning up the town and turns to prayer and scripture.
- Look for clues-
As a Lie Detection Examiner, I learned to pay attention to body language clues that did not match up with a person’s words—actions such as fidgeting with hands and shuffling feet, avoiding eye contact, rushed talking, being over-friendly and trying to turn the focus on the interviewer. In my novel, the sheriff spots and makes note of such behaviors while taking statements from witnesses.
- Listen to your gut–
Have you ever heard someone refer to a gut feeling?
In The Maker’s Diet by Jordan S. Rubin, he states that scientists have shown that our bodies essentially have two brains or nervous systems. One is the central nervous system, and the other is the enteric or intestinal nervous system. The two nervous systems link together through a neural cable called the vagus nerve. If you have ever felt butterflies in your stomach, you have experienced the brain and gut connection. This phenomenon might explain moms seemingly having eyes in the back of her head, and the teacher seeing through the explanation that the dog ate a student’s homework.
There you have it. Three ways not to be deceived. When you seek out wise direction, Proverbs gives this promise: “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you” (Prov. 2:9-11 NIV).
Someone will stop at nothing to keep the secrets of Sweet County hidden.
Public Relations consultant ANNIE MCAFEE hopes to spend a quiet summer in Sugarville waitressing, housesitting, and job hunting. But her plans are upended after she’s run off the road and narrowly escapes with her life.
Rookie state investigator WILL BRICE is looking forward to a bright future with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement until the governor removes the Sweet County Sheriff and appoints Will to take his place.
Propelled into the middle of Sweet County’s dark secrets, Will and Annie find that deceit hides beneath its sugar-coated façade, and the townspeople prefer to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing.
Confronted with a web of mysterious threats, life threatening crises, and the death of a teenager, the two must work together with the help of an unusual sidekick to expose the corruption.
Sally Jo Pitts is a former private investigator, licensed lie detection examiner, and retired high school guidance counselor with over twenty years teaching experience in the field of family and consumer sciences. She combines her education and detective know-how to bring faith-based stories to the fiction page. https://linktr.ee/sallyjopitts
I loved this post, Sally Jo! So many people are easily deceived by so much untruth and lies these days. If only we would rely on Scripture and seek discernment from the Lord, we would not be living under the veil of deception! Jennifer, thank you for hosting Sally Jo.