More mischief is wrought in the camp of God's people from half-heartedness than from anything else.
1. Half-heartedness is the weak spring in the life that will prevent our acting right firmly. As the spring in the lock will not make the bolt act well if it is weak, so the half-heartedness of Amaziah caused him to act weakly in avenging the death of his his father (2Ch 25:4).
2. Half-heartedness is the earthly gas that causes the heart to be inflated with worldly ambition. Doubtless Amaziah wanted to be big with his large army (2Ch 25:6). The balloon will ascend when filled with gas, but if any harm comes to it, the greater the damage when it falls; so those who rise through carnal ambition will have a greater fall when the evil day comes.
3. Half-heartedness is the link that gives the ungodly the opportunity to couple themselves with the Lord's people. Amaziah should not have been in association with Israel, as Israel was not in association with God (2Ch 25:7).
4. Half-heartedness is the flaw that hinders the inflow of Divine power into the life. Hence there is hesitation instead of promptitude, as in the case of Amaziah, when he vacillated after he had got the direct word from God through the prophet (2Ch 25:9).
5. Half-heartedness is like a jaded horse which needs a great deal of spur and whip to make it go. Amaziah did not act as before God; he needed the spur of the prophet's words to urge him to obedience (2Ch 25:7-10).
6. Half-heartedness is like the sparrow which is caught in the trap in trying to get the crumbs. Amaziah was caught by the idolatry of the people whom he had conquered (2Ch 25:14).
7. Half-heartedness is the conductor that brings the lightning of God's punishment upon itself (2Ch 25:15-16). The rod of God's chastisement (Hbr 12:5-11), and bodily death (1Cr 11:30), are two ways by which God punishes His children.