21 The Benjamites, however, did not drive out the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the Benjamites.
22 Now the tribes of Joseph attacked Bethel, and the Lord was with them. 23 When they sent men to spy out Bethel (formerly called Luz), 24 the spies saw a man coming out of the city and they said to him, “Show us how to get into the city and we will see that you are treated well.” 25 So he showed them, and they put the city to the sword but spared the man and his whole family.
Too often we may choose to tolerate sin rather than drive it from our lives. Do you know what to do, but you just do not do it? This may result in a gradual deterioration in your relationship with God. The Benjamites tolerated sin in their land. The tribes of Joseph drove the sin from their land. We need to know that God loves us. In our battles, we may grow tired, but God has given us a purpose for life. Victory comes from living according to his purpose and from being willing to fully obey him.