Zephaniah 1:5

Such persons thought themselves safe because they were with both parties: they went with the followers of Jehovah and bowed at the same time to Malcham. But duplicity is abominable to God, and hypocrisy his soul hates. The idolater who distinctly gives himself to his false god has one sin less than he who brings his polluted and detestable sacrifice to the temple of the Lord, while his heart is with the world and its sins.

To hold with the hare and run with the hounds is a coward’s policy. In the common matters of daily life, a double-minded man is despised, but in religion he is loathsome to the last degree.

The penalty pronounced in the verse before us is terrible, but it is well deserved. For how should divine justice spare the sinner who knows the right, approves it, and professes to follow it, and all the while loves the evil and gives it dominion in his heart?

My soul, search yourself this morning, and see whether you are 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 of little value if I am indeed dead in trespasses and sins.

To have one foot on the land of truth and another on the sea of falsehood will involve a terrible fall and a total ruin. Christ will be all or nothing. God fills the whole universe, and therefore there is no room for another god; if, then, he reigns in my heart, there will be no space for another reigning power.

Do I rest alone on Jesus crucified and live alone for him? Is it my desire to do so? Is my heart set on doing so? If so, blessed be the mighty grace which has led me to salvation; and if not so, O Lord, pardon my sad offence, and unite my heart to fear your name.