Title: Speaking Truth To Power

If You Don’t Have Authority from the Truth, You Can’t Speak Truth to Power Without Being Held Liable for It.

Introduction
In every generation, courageous men and women have risen to “speak truth to power.” They challenge oppression, expose injustice, and confront systems built on lies. Yet, not everyone who dares to speak truth survives its cost. The difference between those protected by divine authority and those crushed by worldly powers often lies in where their authority comes from. Truth is not merely an opinion or moral stance — it is a Person, a power, and a kingdom. Without the authority that comes from the Truth Himself, even righteous speech can lead to ruin.

Truth as a Person, Not a Concept
In Scripture, Jesus declared, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Truth, therefore, is not abstract; it is incarnate in Christ. To have authority from the Truth means being rooted in the person and purpose of Christ. It means not just knowing facts, but aligning one’s life, motive, and message with divine revelation. Anyone can expose wrongdoing, but only those authorized by the Truth Himself can do so without becoming victims of their own words.
The prophets of old illustrate this. Jeremiah spoke truth to kings and priests, but his authority came directly from the word of the Lord:
“Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said unto me, ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth’” (Jeremiah 1:9).
Because Jeremiah spoke from divine commission, his words carried eternal weight, even when rejected. He suffered persecution, but he was never destroyed — because his authority came from above.

The Liability of Unauthorized Speech
In contrast, when people speak without divine authorization, they expose themselves to danger. The sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13–16 attempted to use the name of Jesus to cast out demons without truly knowing Him. The result was disastrous — they were overpowered and humiliated. The same principle applies to those who try to confront power structures without being anchored in the Truth: they lack covering, and their words invite backlash.
To speak truth to power without being authorized by Truth is to wage war without armor. Power — whether political, religious, or economic — always defends itself. Only those whose message flows from divine mandate can endure its counterattack. Jesus Himself said, “My kingdom is not of this world… For this cause I was born, and for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (John 18:36–37).
To bear witness to Truth requires alignment with the King and His kingdom — not just courage or conviction.

Authority Protects the Messenger
Divine authority acts as a spiritual shield. When Jesus sent His disciples out to proclaim the kingdom, He didn’t just give them a message — He gave them authority (Luke 10:19). That authority empowered them to confront demonic forces, heal the sick, and proclaim repentance without fear. The authority of Truth transforms the messenger from a mere activist into an ambassador.
In today’s world, many activists, journalists, and reformers attempt to challenge corrupt systems — but without spiritual authority, they face burnout, imprisonment, or destruction. The difference between a divinely sent prophet and a self-appointed crusader is the source of their mandate. The prophet operates under heaven’s commission; the crusader operates under human passion. One bears fruit that endures; the other bears scars that might not heal.

The Cost of Truth and the Grace of Authority
Even those with divine authority are not immune to suffering — but their suffering becomes purposeful, redemptive, and eternal. John the Baptist spoke truth to Herod and was beheaded, but his message prepared the way for Christ. Stephen spoke truth before the Sanhedrin and was stoned, but his witness birthed Saul’s conversion. Their lives illustrate that divine authority does not exempt one from persecution; it sanctifies it.
Without that authority, however, suffering becomes needless — a liability rather than a testimony. When you speak from self-righteousness, pride, or ideology, you become a target of both men and principalities. But when you speak from revelation, heaven stands behind you. Authority from Truth does not remove opposition, but it guarantees vindication.

Conclusion
Truth is not just what you say — it is who sent you. To speak truth to power is a sacred act, not a political statement. Without divine authority, your truth will be treated as treason; but with it, even persecution becomes prophecy.
If you don’t have authority from the Truth, you can’t speak truth to power without being held liable for it. The power of Truth is not in the words we speak, but in the divine commission behind them.
May we be among those who are not just loud for truth, but licensed by it — sent, shielded, and sustained by the One who is Truth Himself.
Author: Kingsley S. Ayinde

FOUR STEPS TO PROCESS AND STEWARD A PROPHETIC WORD FOR FULFILLMENT
Receiving a prophetic word is not the end — it’s the beginning of your partnership with God. Here’s how to rightly process, test, and steward what He says until fulfillment:

WEIGH IT — “Test the Spirit”
Every prophetic word must be weighed against Scripture and the witness of the Holy Spirit.
“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:20–21
Ask yourself:
* Does this word align with God’s Word and character?
* Does it glorify Jesus?
* Does it bring peace or confusion?
If the Spirit confirms it in your heart, no one can convince you otherwise. Still, seek wise counsel from mature believers or spiritual mentors.
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” — Proverbs 11:14

WAIT ON IT — “Patience Perfects Promise”
Don’t rush the word. Fulfillment has a divine timetable.
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time... though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.” — Habakkuk 2:3
Stewarding is different from striving. Stewarding means cooperating with God in faith and obedience — not forcing the outcome.
“They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” — Isaiah 40:31
While waiting, prepare quietly. Do the small things well. God uses seasons of waiting to build maturity and trust.

WATCH FOR IT — “Keep the Vision Before Your Eyes”
Keep a record of every word God speaks. Write it down, revisit it often, and pray over it.
“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” — Habakkuk 2:2
Remind God of His promises — not because He forgets, but to keep your faith alive.
“Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together.” — Isaiah 43:26
Expect signs of progress. Be sensitive to divine opportunities and alignments.
“Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” — Luke 1:45

WALK TOWARDS IT — “Faith Requires Action”
Prophetic fulfillment requires partnership. Faith without works is dead.
“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” — James 2:17
* If God spoke about a new job, polish your skills and prepare your résumé.
* If it concerns marriage, cultivate character, health, and financial wisdom.
* If it’s about ministry, stay humble, pray, and submit to spiritual authority.
Steward it in private devotion. Write, worship, and walk in obedience daily. When you move toward God’s word, He moves heaven and earth to bring it to pass.
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” — Psalm 37:5

FINAL THOUGHT:
Prophetic words are divine invitations — not automatic guarantees. When you weigh, wait, watch, and walk faithfully, you position yourself for divine fulfillment.
“Blessed is that servant whom the Lord finds doing so when He comes.” — Luke 12:43
#KingsleyS.Ayinde