Loyalty has all the external characteristics and good feelings of a virtue, but just like cancer in the body, because it will trump every other virtue, it proves itself to be an enemy of the soul. Its bully nature will force every other legitimate virtue to cave to accommodate it. Discernment, honesty, integrity, diligence, compassion and more, may be required to step aside for the bully "virtue" of loyalty.
How has this intruder been able to bypass our soul's security system; our conscience? I believe it masquerades as “love at its best.” We don't realize loyalty is actually a synthetic love, a love on steroids. Steroids that distort the truth of what is best for the one we love. Steroids that give an appearance of strength while making us weaker in other ways. Steroids that cause healthy systems to breakdown.
Think about it! Are there any virtues that need to be added to love, compassion, honesty, integrity, humility, diligence, discernment and the like? If these are actively directed toward a person or organization, what else is needed? Nothing!
Although loyalty is never listed in Scripture as a good character quality, it still is an age old tool used by every person, organization, party, kingdom or government that is dependent upon others to stay in power. It is made to be the preeminent virtue. Why?
Once loyalty is well established, it can make someone into a rat, who tells the truth, or a traitor who acts out of compassion toward a rival, or a spoiler who works harder than the others, or a divider who presents a dissenting opinion. So, what Scripture says "calling good, evil and evil, good" is realized in the guise of what? LOYALTY!!!
How about simple faithfulness? Faithfulness to Christ! If we have that in place, everyone and every cause will be best served. Right?
So, beware of loyalty!
My mother died
because so many were loyal
to my father
even as he was violating
his marriage vow
to love his wife ...in sickness!