They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. Judges 2:13-14

Israel did not complete the command of God in removing the inhabitants of the land. They allowed certain groups here and there to stay and this became their undoing.
Little by little the influence of these Canaanites found its way into the lives of God’s people.

Imagine having surgery to remove some tumor but the doctor only removes 90% of it. Would you be satisfied with that operation?
That’s exactly what the Israelites did – removed almost all their problem.

Soon they were serving and worshiping the foreign, false gods of the Canaanites.
And God was not pleased.

As a Christian, you must remove foreign, false god influence from your life. Those things are a growing tumor of sin.
God’s words to Israel may also apply to that situation – they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you. Judges 2:3
I’ve always loved pepperoni and mushroom pizza but years ago I discovered pepperoni makes me very sick. So I removed it from me. I do not eat it.
Oh, when I see one with that golden crust, melted cheese, with those medallions of pepperoni I think how good it would taste!
I have to turn and walk away!
So it must be with ungodly influence like drugs, pornography, money, a relationship, or television… whatever it is that wars against your relationship with God – remove it.