When Loyalty Becomes Dangerous – A Call for Truth, Honor, Transparency and Courage
- Brent Madaris
- Sep 29
- 8 min read
The Beauty and Burden of Loyalty
Loyalty is a noble virtue. Scripture commends faithfulness, friendship, and devotion. David treasured the loyalty of Jonathan; Paul valued the companionship of faithful co-laborers. True loyalty reflects the steadfast love of God Himself.
But like every virtue, loyalty can be twisted. When loyalty to a man or movement overshadows loyalty to Christ, it becomes dangerous. Misplaced loyalty does not protect truth—it distorts it. It does not build unity—it breeds confusion. It does not glorify Christ—it replaces Him with human personalities.
When Loyalty Blinds / When Loyalty Becomes Dangerous
The Bible warns that loyalty can become idolatry. Israel’s tribes often clung to leaders who led them astray. Some in Corinth said, “I am of Paul… I am of Apollos… I am of Cephas” (1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul rebuked this factional spirit because it undermined their singular allegiance to Christ.
Today, the same danger exists. Christians weary of controversy may cling to personalities or movements simply because they are familiar, persuasive, or seemingly successful. In doing so, they can unknowingly defend sin, excuse falsehoods, or resist correction.
True loyalty never asks us to silence truth—it calls us to embody it.
Truth Must Trump Tribe
The most dangerous form of loyalty is tribal. When allegiance to “our side” outweighs allegiance to truth, believers become blind partisans. They defend reputations instead of righteousness. They cover for personalities instead of confessing sin.
Yet Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If Christ is the truth, then loyalty to Him always demands honesty—even when it costs. Truth must never be sacrificed on the altar of tribe.
Loyalty to Christ means we do not rewrite history, ignore evidence, or bury sin to protect “our own.” Such loyalty is no loyalty at all. It is cowardice cloaked in devotion.
When we protect reputations at the expense of righteousness, we trade Christ’s honor for man’s approval.
The Cost of False Loyalty
False loyalty not only does a disservice to the individuals engaged in it, it also creates collateral damage. When lies are defended, the innocent are harmed. When wrongs are excused, victims are silenced. When sin is hidden, the name of Christ is dishonored. Those who seek transparency, honesty, and truth are often maligned, sidelined, disregarded, and marginalized.
Scripture is clear: “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish” (Proverbs 19:9). God takes seriously the destruction wrought by reckless words. Misguided loyalty often multiplies that destruction by protecting the guilty and leaving the wounded without help.
Courage: The Missing Ingredient
Some people know the truth and yet, they refuse to declare it. Why do people remain silent when the truth is obscured or twisted? Why do Christians defend the indefensible? Often, it is fear—fear of rejection, fear of division, fear of losing standing in the tribe.
But biblical loyalty is courageous. It dares to speak truth when others remain silent. It chooses the narrow path of integrity even when it costs reputation, comfort, or friendships. People are standing in the shadows of every controversy that could easily be the counterbalance and bring the light of truth and the clarity of honesty if they would but step up!
Joshua exhorted Israel, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Elijah cried on Mount Carmel, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). True loyalty requires courage—the courage to stand with Christ above every earthly allegiance.
What True Loyalty Looks Like
It is Christ-Centered – Loyalty that is not anchored in Christ becomes loyalty to idols.
It is Truth-Telling – True friends speak truth, even when it hurts (Proverbs 27:6).
It is Transparent – Darkness breeds corruption; light brings clarity and cleansing (1 John 1:7).
It is Protective – True shepherds protect the flock, not their own reputations (John 10:11–13).
It is Courageous – It risks misunderstanding and rejection for the sake of Christ.
Clearing the Air with Honesty
We live in a time of swirling accusations, claims, counterclaims, and endless noise. Many Christians feel exhausted by the infighting. Many faithful believers are wounded, being caught in the crossfire. Deep in their spirit, they know something doesn't feel right, but not knowing what to do, they just blindly follow on, being "loyal." Yet confusion only grows when truth is hidden and half-truths are multiplied. Each side retreats into its defensive posture (which interestingly may look like an offensive), and yet, the divides grow wider. The only path forward is honesty, transparency, and a willingness to seek the truth and clear the air.
Misguided loyalty obscures the truth; godly loyalty clears the air.
Jesus promised, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). That freedom is not found in denial or defiance but in humble acknowledgment, confession, and integrity.
A Call to the Weary
If you are tired of controversy, you are not alone. But weariness must not lead to apathy. The church needs believers who will rise above the fray—not by ignoring truth, but by holding firmly to it.
Loyalty becomes dangerous when it demands silence in the face of sin. But loyalty becomes glorious when it anchors itself in Christ, speaks the truth in love, and courageously protects the honor of His name.
So let us stand—not with tribes, not with personalities, not with movements—but with Christ. Only then will our loyalty be safe, our testimony pure, and our witness clear.
“Truth must never be sacrificed on the altar of tribe. Loyalty to Christ means loyalty to truth—always.”
Reflection Guide (For those close to controversial situations): Examining Our Loyalties
Where is my ultimate loyalty?
Am I more concerned with defending a person, group, or movement than I am with defending the truth of God’s Word?
Have I excused sin in the name of loyalty?
Have I ever downplayed wrong or overlooked dishonesty because it came from “my side”?
Am I willing to speak the truth in love?
When confronted with lies or misrepresentation, do I remain silent out of fear, or do I gently but firmly uphold the truth?
Does my loyalty bring clarity or confusion?
Do my words and actions help others see Christ more clearly, or do they add to the fog of controversy?
Am I walking in transparency before God and others?
Am I willing to be honest—even when it costs—trusting that Christ Himself is my vindication?
Where must I show courage today?
What step of faithfulness, truth-telling, or honesty is the Lord calling me to take right now?
Take these questions into prayer. Write down what the Lord shows you. True loyalty is not proven in words but in courageous obedience to Christ.
I want to give you one more helpful addition. In situations of public fighting, image management becomes crucial to the parties involved. Each side strives to appear righteous, even while masking self-protection and power moves. One party is usually more skilled at this than the other...usually the one with the most to hide. How do regular people discern the truth?
Discernment Guide: How to Assess a Spiritual Leader
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” —1 John 4:1
This guide is not a weapon for nitpicking faithful pastors, but a tool for sober discernment when genuine concerns exist. Jesus told us to judge by fruit (Matthew 7:16–20). Paul warned of men who would creep in unawares (Jude 4). Regular Christians must know how to evaluate spiritual leaders—not by charisma, rhetoric, or image, but by truth and fruit.
Transparency vs. Secrecy
Does this leader openly share how decisions are made, or do things happen behind closed doors?
Are financial, moral, and ministry practices above reproach and open to accountability?
🚩 Red Flag: Threats of lawsuits, hiding records, or refusing to answer direct questions.
🟢 Practical Test - Does the leader welcome accountability, questions, and oversight — or avoid scrutiny and demand blind loyalty?
Consistency vs. Hypocrisy
Does he hold himself to the same standard he holds others?
When he preaches repentance, has he himself repented privately/publicly (as the situation may demand) when wrong?
Does he attempt to make amends with people he has hurt and does he try to rectify personal wrongs?
🚩 Red Flag: Quick to denounce others but refuses correction himself.
🟢 Practical Test
A trustworthy leader demonstrates consistency between public teaching and private living, between what they expect of others and what they practice themselves. Their story, actions, and words line up over time.
A dangerous leader displays patterns of inconsistency and hypocrisy—demanding purity from others while excusing compromise in themselves or their allies. They may preach accountability but resist it personally, or call for repentance while minimizing their own wrongs.
Truthfulness vs. Spin
When challenged, does he present facts and evidence—or only attack the messenger?
Are his words clear, or does he often change stories, timelines, or “spin” the truth?
🚩 Red Flag: Denials that contradict known facts, shifting explanations, adjusting timelines to cover self.
🟢 Practical Test - When confronted with hard facts, does the leader plainly acknowledge the truth — or minimize, reframe, and spin events to protect themselves?
Fruit vs. Image
Do those who know him best describe him as humble, approachable, and Christlike—or controlling, proud, and defensive?
Is the fruit of his ministry repentance, growth, and healing—or constant drama, division, and broken relationships?
🚩 Red Flag: More effort spent on branding, reputation defense, and loyalty than on shepherding.
🟢 Practical Test
Are the long-term results of their ministry marked by integrity, humility, and holiness — or by constant controversy, scandal, and moral compromise?
Are those closest to him (family, staff, and long-term members) fourishing spiritually?
Accountability vs. Autonomy
Who can correct this man—and would he listen?
Is he surrounded by strong elders/peers, or only by loyal “yes-men”?
🚩 Red Flag: A pattern of isolating himself from meaningful correction. Refusing honest inquiry and any direct investigation.
🟢 Practical Test -
A healthy leader is willingly connected to peers, mentors, and structures that hold them responsible. They invite correction and welcome independent oversight.
A dangerous leader avoids true accountability, resists external evaluation, and instead builds a circle of loyal followers (“groupies” or lackeys) who will defend them, silence critics, and create a “circle the wagons” protection scheme.
Use of Power: Shepherd or Tyrant?
Does he use authority to protect the weak, or to shield himself and punish dissent?
Are people freer in Christ under his ministry—or more fearful, silenced, and shamed?
🚩 Red Flag: Manipulating Scripture to demand personal loyalty or suppress questions.
🟢 Practical Test - Does the leader empower others to grow in Christ, or consolidate control and punish dissent?
Pattern Over Time
Is there a consistent story of integrity and faithfulness—or recurring cycles of scandal, lawsuits, and broken trust?
One fall can happen to anyone. Patterns tell the deeper truth.
🚩 Red Flag: Multiple controversies across different places but always “everyone else’s fault.”
🟢 Practical Test - Is there consistency of godly character, honesty, and faithfulness across the years — or recurring cycles of controversy, scandal, or cover-up?
Care for Victims vs. Protection of Perpetrators
Test: When wrongdoing is exposed, where does the leader’s energy go first?
Toward protecting victims, listening, providing safety, transparency, and healing?
Or toward restoring the reputation of the accused, minimizing harm, reabsorbing them into leadership, or shielding them from consequences?
Why it matters: Scripture repeatedly shows God’s concern for the vulnerable and His anger at shepherds who “feed themselves, and not the flock” (Ezek. 34:2–4). Jesus placed children at the center of His kingdom teaching (Matt. 18:5–6), warning of grave consequences for harming them. Prioritizing perpetrators over victims reveals a distorted shepherding heart.
🚩 Red flags to watch:
Victims silenced, shamed, or pressured to “forgive and forget.”
Immediate talk of “restoring” the perpetrator while the victim’s trauma is ignored.
Public statements portraying perpetrators as “fallen but forgiven” heroes while victims remain invisible.
Blame-shifting language: “She tempted him,” “They misunderstood,” “He just made a mistake.”
Biblical counter: True gospel restoration never ignores sin’s consequences. Repentance is costly, not cosmetic (2 Cor. 7:10–11). Protection and justice for the weak come before platform restoration for the strong.
🟢 Practical Test - When sin is exposed, does the leader prioritize care and justice for victims — or protection and restoration of perpetrators at the expense of the weak?
How to Use This Guide
Pray for Wisdom – Ask the Spirit to guide your discernment.
Compare Fruit – Lay the leader’s life next to these marks.
Ask the Questions – Bring them up in conversation with trusted believers.
Act Wisely – If red flags multiply, do not ignore them. Silence is complicity.
A single test may raise concerns, but multiple failed tests reveal a dangerous trajectory.
Bottom Line: A godly leader welcomes examination because his conscience is clear (2 Cor. 1:12). A manipulative leader fears it and lashes out.
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