By Oluwole Solanke PhD, FCIB
“They must find it difficult, those who have taken authority as truth, rather than truth as authority.”
This statement is deep, reflective, and quietly exposes one of the greatest human errors, especially in leadership, religion, academia, and politics.
In reality, there is a quiet tragedy in confusing power with correctness. This shows there is complex relationship between authority and truth.
In every generation, some people rise to positions of influence, in government, in religion, in academia, in families, and in organizations. But position alone does not produce truth.
In other words, title does not manufacture wisdom and authority does not automatically equal accuracy.
When authority becomes the measure of truth, society begins to decay. Truth as authority in philosophical and spiritual terms need no external throne or validation.
But blind authority is deep enemy of truth. This is because unquestioned authority is frequently associated with lies, reflecting no reality but only interested in compliance through boasting.
The Dangerous Reversal
To take authority as truth is to say:
“It is right because I said it.”
“It is correct because I am in charge.”
“It must be true because I hold the title.”
This mindset fears questions.
It resists accountability.
It silences dissent.
History reminds us how dangerous that can be. When leaders like Adolf Hitler elevated their authority above moral truth, catastrophe followed. When scientific truth challenged institutional power in the time of Galileo Galilei, authority tried to suppress discovery rather than examine itself.
“Power without truth becomes oppression.”
The Higher Standard
But to take truth as authority is different.
It means:
Evidence matters more than ego.
Integrity matters more than image.
Correction is welcomed, not feared.
It means saying:
“If I am wrong, I will adjust.”
“If the facts change, I will grow.”
“If truth confronts me, I will submit to it.”
Truth does not tremble before scrutiny.
Truth does not hide behind titles.
Truth stands, even when spoken by the least powerful voice in the room.
“Real authority bows to truth; it does not compete with it.”
Why It Becomes Difficult
Those who build their identity on position rather than principle struggle when truth challenges them. Every new fact feels like a threat. Every question feels like rebellion. Every correction feels like disrespect.
And so they resist.
But resistance to truth does not preserve authority, it erodes it.
“The moment you fear truth, you have already weakened your leadership.”
A Call to Leaders
Whether you lead a nation, an academic institution, a congregation, a company, or a family, the question remains:
Are you protecting your authority, or are you protecting the truth?
The strongest leaders are not those who are never questioned.
They are those who are not afraid of answers.
Because in the end:
“Authority is temporary. Truth is enduring.”
And only those who submit to truth will lead with honour that outlives their titles or positions. A word is always enough for the wise, most especially to leaders who have the minds of listening to the gospel of truth.
