These people thought they were safe playing both sides—worshiping with the followers of Jehovah while bowing to Malcham. But duplicity is abominable to God. Hypocrisy his soul hates!

Hear this: the idolater who openly gives himself to his false god has one sin less than the man who brings his polluted, detestable sacrifice into the Lord's temple while his heart runs after the world. To hold with the hare and run with the hounds is a coward's policy. In daily life, we despise the double-minded man. But in religion? He is loathsome to the last degree.

The penalty pronounced here is terrible—but well deserved! How should divine justice spare the sinner who knows what is right, approves it, professes to follow it, and all the while loves evil and gives it dominion in his heart?

Search yourself this morning, my soul. Are you guilty of double-dealing? You profess to be a follower of Jesus—do you truly love him? Is your heart right with God? Are you of the family of old Father Honest, or are you a relative of Mr. By-ends? A name to live is worthless if I am dead in trespasses and sins. To have one foot on the land of truth and another on the sea of falsehood will bring a terrible fall and total ruin.

Christ will be all or nothing. God fills the whole universe—there is no room for another god. If he reigns in my heart, there will be no space for another reigning power.

Do I rest on Jesus crucified alone? Do I live for him alone? Is this my desire? Is my heart set upon it? If so, blessed be the mighty grace that has led me to salvation! And if not? O Lord, pardon my sad offense, and unite my heart to fear your name.