#HomilyFromThePew

Have you ever been the subject of an unprovoked campaign of calumny? A barrage of fabrications. Blatant, unrestrained lies told against your person, your work and your integrity.

It is painful, especially when you know you have done what is right. More painful still when the lies are told in a place that ought to be a bastion of dignity, integrity and honour, a place whose very existence depends on truth.

Truth is not merely a virtue; it is the foundation. Every institution, every relationship and every life derives its strength from truth. Jesus declared,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6

Remove truth from anything, and its foundation is already compromised.

When people become committed to lies, they reveal something deeper about themselves. They have either never been connected to their true source or they have become disconnected from it. You cannot exist indefinitely in contradiction to your source. A building may appear magnificent, but once its foundation is threatened, collapse has already begun.

Recently, I found myself in such a situation. Lies, carefully woven and maliciously circulated were told against my person, my work and my integrity. Naturally, I was grieved. I briefed my lawyers, Dele Farotimi & Co., to consider the legal options available to challenge the falsehoods.

As we discussed possible legal strategies, my friend and brother, Dele Farotimi, made a statement that liberated me.

“When a person has nothing to present against you except lies, that person has already lost the battle.”

I asked him to repeat himself.

He did.

Then he explained:

“If your opponent cannot confront your character with facts, your work with evidence, or your convictions with truth, but must resort to fabrication, that is not a sign of strength. It is a confession of defeat.”

That thought stayed with me.

Indeed, lies are often an admission that truth has become impossible to confront.

Then I remembered an old Yoruba proverb:

“Tí irọ́ bá sáré fún ogún ọdún, òtítọ́ á lè bá a ní ọjọ́ kan.”

“If a lie runs for twenty years, one day is enough for the truth to catch up with it.”

Then I remembered another priceless perspective that Dele shared with me years ago:

Truth does not chase lies.

Truth does not panic.

Truth does not run from platform to platform trying to defend itself.

Truth remains constant.

Lies are the ones that keep running, here today, there tomorrow, searching desperately for validation they will never find. Eventually, exhausted by their own contradictions, they collapse under their own weight. Then, inevitably, they return to where they began to the feet of truth.

Isaiah declared:

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.”  Isaiah 54:17

Notice that Scripture does not say tongues will not rise.

It says they will not prosper.

Jesus Himself said:

“The ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” John 14:30 (NKJV)

Daniel experienced the same reality:

“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel… but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful…”Daniel 6:4–5

The enemy came looking for evidence.

He found none.

When nothing truthful can be found against you, falsehood becomes the only weapon left. A weapon built on lies is already broken.

Truth is not merely an idea.

Truth is a Person.

That Person was betrayed, falsely accused, condemned and crucified. Yet neither the Cross, nor the grave, nor hell itself could imprison Him.

As the Scriptures declare:

“Which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”1 Corinthians 2:8

They thought they were burying the Truth.

Instead, they were announcing His victory.

That is the destiny of truth.

It always rises.

So, if today you are the subject of slander, gossip, distortion, misrepresentation or outright falsehood, take whatever lawful steps wisdom requires. Seek legal redress where necessary. Defend your reputation appropriately.

But do not lose your peace.

Do not mistake noise for victory.

The very fact that lies are being manufactured against you may well be evidence that your adversary has run out of truth.

Stand still.

Remain rooted.

Keep walking in integrity.

For truth has one advantage that lies will never possess.

Truth does not need to survive. Truth simply is.

And because Truth is eternal, truth will always outlive lies.

“Ẹ ó sì mọ òtítọ́, òtítọ́ náà yóò sì sọ yín di òmìnira.”
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  John 8:32

Rest in that assurance.

Lies may make the first announcement. Truth always has the final word.