A Biblical Man is Loyal

by Ben Joffe

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” -Hosea 6:6

God desires our loyalty (Hosea 6:6). But what is loyalty? Simply put, loyalty is a show of support or allegiance to someone or something. When a man is clearly committed to something, he is said to be loyal.

A man demonstrates his loyalty through both his words and his actions. For example, a man might show his loyalty to another person, his best friend perhaps, by encouraging him, spending time with him, offering help when it is needed, and rejoicing when he experiences success. A man might demonstrate his loyalty to a thing, like his favorite sports team, by wearing its colors, cheering for it during games, and celebrating when it experiences victory.

Everyone demonstrates loyalty to someone or something. But how does a person choose what to be loyal to, or which of his loyalties is most important? Some men selfishly choose to be loyal to themselves above all else. This type of man would seek his own interests, happiness, and glory first, and then use only whatever strength he has left to benefit others.

A Christian man’s loyalties should be ordered according to the words of Jesus as he identifies the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22:36-39. The first of these great commandments is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

A Biblical man owes his highest loyalty to God because of the great salvation God gave the world through Jesus (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). He is to be devoted, dedicated, and committed to God above all. And his loyalty to God should be all-encompassing – not just in the words that he says when he is praying or worshiping in song, but also in his deeds as he obeys God and seeks God’s glory first.

The second of these great commandments, and a Biblical man’s secondhighest loyalty, is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” A Biblical man will be devoted, dedicated, and committed to the wellbeing of all the people around him – family, friends, classmates, etc. This means valuing other people above himself, serving them wholeheartedly, and most of all, sharing with them the great love of Jesus.

It is not a bad thing to have loyalties aside from God and neighbors, for example, having a favorite sports team or a favorite hobby. But God comes first, others come second, and everything else – include oneself – comes after.

Journaling Page for Loyalty

Who is the most loyal person in your life?

Who are you most loyal to?

How does loyalty shape friendship?

Other thoughts and scriptures about loyalty: