God is True and You’re a Liar

In a postmodern world where many think that truth is relative, that you should follow “your truth”, or that the idea of there being an objective truth is offensive, it’s no wonder we find ourselves amidst a scene of disarray. Romans 3:4 speaks bluntly about the truth and its relationship to God and us:

“…let God be true, but every man a liar…” - Romans 3:4

While beautifully and simply stated, this verse is loaded with implications.

Firstly, God is true and objective truth exists. It is not something relative to each one of us, but rather, an objective measure by which God judges righteously (Psa 98:9, 2Ti 4:1,8). If we want to seek truth, we must seek the God who is and has given it to us in His Word. 

Secondly, every man is a liar. To the person who doesn’t often ask critical questions and is unwilling to investigate or reflect on the information they receive, you are blindly following liars. We are constantly bombarded with the lies and deceit of this world and we must compare it to the truth of the Bible or else we will serve sin, whether we’re aware of it or not (2Ti 3:13). We must wake up to the reality that people need saving and saints need edifying (including ourselves).

As excellently stated in 1 Corinthians 15:34,

“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” - 1 Corinthians 15:34

Don’t become apathetic or numb to growing in the truth of God: learn it, grow in it, and use it as a tool to help others be saved and grow in Christ’s love (1Ti 2:4). 

Thirdly, every man is a liar. Why repeat the same point? To the person who believes they aren’t a blind follower, but rather, a critical thinker: you’re a liar as well. While “every man a liar” may be a rallying cry to those who wish to isolate themselves to their own intellectual corner and understanding of God and the world, thinking they can’t learn from anyone else, the Christian walk isn’t a solo sport. Charitable growth happens when God’s words work effectually in those that believe them and those Christians engage with others about the truth of the gospel and the edifying of the body in love (1Co 8:1, Eph 4:12-16).

The Bible exhorts us to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, understanding what the will of the Lord is (Eph 5:15:17). We must learn and comprehend the truth of God to do so. Additionally, we are given many warnings as to what we are to avoid, seeing that everyone is a liar:

“[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.[10]  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” – Colossians 2:8-10

“[20] O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: [21] Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 6:20

God is true no matter what the scientists, psychologists, philosophers, or even pastors and theologians say. Every person is a liar, even the “best” and closest people we know. Does this mean we walk around distrusting everyone and everything we know, isolating ourselves from “all the liars?” Of course not, we can’t run away from ourselves anyway!

Our spiritual weapon, the Bible, is not weak: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2Co 10:5). As Christians, we must uphold and trust the truth of God more than what any person may say or do. We must be willing to take every thought captive in order to stand for the grace and truth of Christ!