Detecting Deceit

The Bible says in Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

We are living in a time where we are witnessing lies beyond human comprehension. Lying has become so very acceptable in our everyday dialogue. We are being lied to by our government, the media, and our medical practitioners and so on... What's worse is people actually place their trust in these liars AND reinforce their (false) belief onto others!

I learned a long time ago that there is no authority other than the one who speaks the truth. So, before you put your trust in anyone, you need to equip yourself on how to detect deceit.

Luke 24:11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

Tell A Good Tale!

People will fall for a good story; a good story begins with beguiling – dramatic content – that creates conflict and tension – and a chain of events; they will have character witnesses (celebrities); then submerge you with information – harnessing your undivided attention. Then there's the urgency...

Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord. 

Catch Phrases

To sell us on the principle of their tales, liars will make big claims using catch-phrases. These range from “It’s Expected; Numbers Show; Promising; A New Report Reveals; New Signs Of; What You Need To Know;  (and my favorite) Our Experts...” Honest people don’t use these tactics.

Leviticus 6:3 or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 

Facial Expressions

Pay close attention to the person's face when they are talking. Less obvious clues your dealing with a liar will show by the reddening on the person’s cheeks, flared nostrils, lip nibbling, burrowed eyebrows, curved lips (downward) deep breathing, and rapid blinking; these signal that there is a chemical response taking place in their brain. Honest people are carefree people.

Proverbs 15:13(a) A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:

Eye Contact

Liars, when talking, will look away. They do this to recall what they are trying to lie about. People look to the right to remember, and to the left when visualizing. This is what actually takes place when liars are not making eye contact with you. It’s normal for someone to look away when asked a difficult question. But when someone looks around when asked a question, you should red—flag them.

Other facial clues reveal themselves in the over-emphasis facial expressions (such as a disappointed look on their face), head-nodding and hand gestures; OR they just read their scripts with serious looks on their faces.

Matthew 6:22-23 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Body Language

When detecting deceit, a person’s movement will show clues. Honesty is characterized by features that are in sync with one another—such as soft speech to a soft expression on their face. Liars are often tense— so their body language will reveal it. 

Daniel 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 

Create Distance

Liars need to distance themselves psychologically from their tales. They do this by putting emphasis on others (characters) to distance themselves from their lie. Their aim is to get others involved (even by blaming) to take the heat off of them. When they can't distance themselves from their lies, they will distance themselves from the people who knows their lies.

Acts 19:36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet (keep yourselves in check) and do nothing rashly.

Question Them

Liars do not like to be questioned. They will go the distance to stop all lines of questioning and/or communication. The reason is they don’t have any proof to back their lie up. The truth never needs to be questioned because it will always reveal itself. 

Acts 19:40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. 

The Uproar

Above, I mentioned what it takes to make a good story. A lie will always create an uproar or an out-cry. The Bible says in Proverbs 26:28 that “ A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” An uproar or an out-cry IS the evidence or the result of lies.

Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Dealing With Deceit

There in only one way to deal with deceit and that is by taking authority!

Matthew 7:28-29 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 

Above (again), I mentioned that there is no authority other than the one who speaks the truth. As we observe God's Word and align our will to His Will, we are all in a position of authority to confront all of the lies. 

Deuteronomy 28:13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

God Bless,

Maria