The Loyalty Dilemma - Biblical Loyalty: Standing with Christ Above All Else
- Brent Madaris
- Sep 21
- 6 min read
Loyalty is powerful. It can bind families, strengthen churches, and inspire believers to stand shoulder to shoulder in spiritual battles. But like fire, loyalty must be contained. In the right place, it gives warmth and light. Out of control, it consumes everything in its path.
Today, many Christians feel the tension of divided loyalties. We are often told to “stand with” certain leaders, movements, or friends—as if faithfulness to them is equal to faithfulness to Christ. Others, weary of conflict, stand silently on the sidelines, unsure what to think or do as leaders battle.
Whose Side Are You On?
When conflict arises, the natural human question is, “Whose side are you on?” We want to sort people into neat categories of “with us” or “against us.” Sadly, this same thinking creeps into churches and ministries. Both sides of a dispute will often claim, “Christ is on our side!”
But this question is built on a flawed assumption: that Christ chooses between competing human factions. The truth is far deeper — and far more humbling.
The Lesson from Joshua’s Encounter
In Joshua 5:13–15, just before the monumental battle of Jericho, Joshua encountered a mysterious warrior with a drawn sword. Naturally, he asked the pressing question:
“Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” (v. 13)
The answer Joshua received was surprising and profound:
“Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come.” (v. 14)
In other words, “No — I’m not here to take your side or theirs. I have come representing the Lord’s side.”
Joshua’s response was immediate: he fell on his face in worship and asked, “What saith my lord unto his servant?”Joshua realized that the issue wasn’t about God joining his battle. It was about Joshua joining God’s plan.
"Christ does not take sides in human conflicts.He calls all men to His side — the side of truth and holiness."
When people are divided, assumptions often replace understanding.
Where honest doubt exists, there must be room for honest questions — and a commitment to provide honest answers.
This is how we move beyond taking sides and begin seeking God’s truth together.
Applying This to Our Lives and Churches
Like Joshua, we often assume that if our cause feels just, Christ must be with us. But our first question should never be, “Is Christ on my side?” Instead, we should humbly ask,
“Am I on His side?”
This shifts our focus:
Away from defending our agendas
Toward discerning and obeying His will through Scripture
Away from factional loyalty
Toward loyalty to Christ and His truth
The Real Question
The ultimate issue is not whether Christ is aligned with our cause, but whether we are aligned with Him. As we face conflicts and decisions, we must return to Scripture and let it shape a biblical framework for loyalty. Only then can we stand united, not around personalities or factions, but around Christ Himself.
Let us examine and learn a few biblical principles concerning loyalty.
1. Ultimate Loyalty (Biblical Loyalty) Belongs to Christ Alone
Though we may be loyal to people to a point, ultimate loyalty has one rightful object: Jesus Christ.
To His Gospel: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that… ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27)
To His Word: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)
To His Glory: “That in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18)
Every other relationship—family, friends, mentors, even spiritual leaders—must take second place. Jesus declared: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37)
If our loyalty to a person ever causes us to excuse sin, shade the truth, or attack the innocent, it is no longer biblical loyalty—it is idolatry.
2. Misplaced Loyalty Always Brings Destruction
The Bible and history alike testify that misplaced loyalty always leads to ruin.
Joab and Abner (2 Samuel 3): Joab’s loyalty to David twisted into vengeance. When Abner defected to unite Israel under David, Joab killed him out of spite. His loyalty blinded him to righteousness and nearly derailed God’s plan.
Absalom (2 Samuel 15): With charm and flattery, Absalom “stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” Their loyalty to charisma over truth fueled rebellion and bloodshed.
The Young Prophet (1 Kings 13): Commanded by God to refuse food in a certain place, the prophet instead trusted an older man’s lie. His misplaced loyalty to a human voice over God’s voice cost him his life.
History repeats the warning:
Citizens’ loyalty to Hitler unleashed unspeakable evil.
Enron employees stayed silent out of loyalty to leaders, resulting in financial ruin.
Even in sports or politics, fans defend corruption simply because it comes from “their team.”
Loyalty divorced from truth is not virtue—it is a trap.
3. When Loyalty Trumps Truth, Silence Becomes Betrayal
True loyalty is not blind agreement. Sometimes the most loyal act is loving confrontation.
The best friend you will ever have is the one who cares enough to challenge you, pursuing transparency, clarity, and honesty (Proverbs 27:6).
Their willingness to speak truth shows genuine love and concern—and once clarity is achieved, they will be the most faithful in their support.
Nathan risked everything to rebuke David after his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12).
Paul publicly opposed Peter when his actions compromised the Gospel (Galatians 2).
John the Baptist told Herod the truth about his immorality, even though it cost him his life (Mark 6).
Now imagine if they had stayed silent:
David’s kingdom would have rotted from within.
The Gospel itself would have been corrupted.
Israel would have lost a prophetic call to repentance.
Silence in the name of “loyalty” is not love. It is betrayal.
Neutrality in the face of wrongdoing always helps the wrong side.
4. Christ as the Perfect Example of Loyalty
Jesus is our model of perfect loyalty.
He was loyal to His Father above all.
He loved people, but never let human relationships sway Him from truth.
When Peter tried to turn Him from the cross, Jesus rebuked him: “Get thee behind me, Satan.” (Matthew 16:23)
When crowds cheered Him, He did not entrust Himself to them because He knew their hearts (John 2:24–25).
Christ’s example shows us that true loyalty never sacrifices truth on the altar of relationships.
5. The Cost—and Reward—of True Biblical Loyalty
Standing with Christ is costly.
“A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” (Matthew 10:36)
“We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
Many believers have felt this sting—losing friends, positions, or influence because they chose truth over personalities. But here is the paradox: when we stand with Christ, our voice may grow smaller in man’s eyes, but it grows stronger in eternity’s light....AND it carries greater weight in this life.
Better to lose the approval of men than to stand before Christ ashamed.
6. A Call to Confused and Weary Christians
Some are entrenched in blind loyalty. Others are simply exhausted by infighting, unsure what to think or do. Both need the same reminder: your anchor is not in movements, personalities, or institutions—it is in Christ alone.
When the waters are muddy, do not dive in headlong. Stand on the clear shore of God’s Word. Call others to join you there.
When the situation is clouded and uncertain, your safest and strongest position is not to align with personalities but to anchor yourself to unchanging truth.
Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve
The call of Scripture is clear:
Not, “Whose side are you on?” but, “Are you on the Lord’s side?”
Not, “Stand with me/men,” but, “Stand with Christ and His truth.”
This is not about winning arguments, but about honoring Christ. It is not about preserving reputations, but about preaching, promoting, and preserving truth.
Loyalty is beautiful when it is rightly placed. But when it is detached from truth, it becomes a weapon in the enemy’s hand.
So let us anchor ourselves in Christ. Let us speak truth with grace, even when it costs us. Let us call for honesty and transparency, clearing the air instead of muddying the waters.
And when history looks back, may it be said of us that we stood—not with personalities, not with factions, but with Jesus Christ, the faithful and true.
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