Apostle Michael Asabere, popularly known as The Only Living Saint, has offered a respectful but important piece of advice to his spiritual father, Evangelist Papa Bright of Hamburg: never reach a conclusion about a dispute after hearing only one side of the story.
The message comes amid Papa Bright’s discussions on relationships, marriage and family matters. While acknowledging the evangelist’s efforts to counsel people and address difficult social issues, Apostle Michael Asabere believes that wisdom requires careful investigation before judgment.
The First Story Can Sound Convincing
In conflicts, the first person to tell a story may present a convincing account. But that does not necessarily mean the listener has received the complete picture.
People can misunderstand events, omit important information, exaggerate details or, in some cases, deliberately misrepresent what happened. For this reason, serious accusations should not be accepted as established facts until the other person has also been given an opportunity to respond.
The Bible itself provides a powerful principle in Proverbs 18:17 (NIV):
“In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.”
This ancient wisdom remains relevant today.
“Get to the Bottom of the Matter”
The Only Living Saint’s advice to Papa Bright is therefore straightforward: listen, investigate and hear both sides before concluding.
This is particularly important when dealing with marriage and relationship disputes. When emotions are high, each person may naturally describe events from his or her own perspective.
A counsellor, pastor, family elder or friend should therefore resist the temptation to immediately declare one person innocent and the other guilty.
Sometimes the truth becomes clearer only after both accounts have been carefully examined.
Avoid Labels Until the Facts Are Known
Apostle Michael Asabere also cautions that some people can lie repeatedly and very convincingly. However, terms such as “pathological liar” should not casually be used as a diagnosis against someone without proper professional assessment.
The central point is bigger than any label: people can deceive, and appearances can mislead.
That is why evidence, consistency and fairness matter.
A Lesson for Everyone
This message is not only for Evangelist Papa Bright. It is a lesson for pastors, parents, friends, marriage counsellors and everyone who is ever asked to settle a disagreement.
Before condemning someone based on what you have heard:
Hear both sides. Investigate the facts. Separate evidence from emotion. Avoid rushing to judgment. Then allow truth and wisdom to guide your conclusion.
Being slow to judge does not mean ignoring wrongdoing. It means making sure we do not accidentally punish an innocent person because we accepted an incomplete story.
As James 1:19 teaches, believers should be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
The Only Living Saint’s respectful message to his spiritual father can therefore be summarized in one sentence:
“Papa Bright, continue advising people—but always get to the bottom of the matter from both sides before reaching your conclusion.”
Because people may deceive, but when we patiently seek the facts, truth has a better chance to prevail.
— Apostle Michael Asabere (The Only Living Saint)
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