James 1:20-21 “because human anger is not compatible with God’s righteousness, remove and dispose of the moral filth that you’re wearing like a suit of clothes. The power of evil let loose in the world created those filthy rags. Humbly accept the seed of truth planted within you by Christ Jesus. That seed of truth will grow and cleanse you from the inside out. It will cover you in a suit of righteousness. Christ will be your salvation. (Paraphrase)

Have you ever been sprayed by a skunk? The only reasonable response is to take off those stinky clothes and burn them. The NIV translates the Greek verb apotithēmi as “get rid of”. I believe a better translation would be “take off and dispose of”. The word apotithēmi is a metaphor for removing clothing, as in Romans 13:12; Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:25; 1 Peter 2:1.

In the Old Testament, there is a Hebrew word “aven”. In the time of Christ, Greek scholars translated the Hebrew word “aven” with a Greek word that is always translated into English as “sin”. Translators have used the English words sin, trouble, sorrow, wickedness, and iniquity to translate the Old Testament Hebrew word “aven”. One understanding is that the word speaks of the power of evil let loose in the world. I believe “the evil that is so prevalent” is James’ way of referring to aven. The power of evil set loose among us by sin has shaped this world’s standards and values. The standards and values of this world are morally filthy. Before we met Christ, we were wearing that filth like a suit of clothes.

James tells us that we need to remove that filth and dispose of it. Just as you would not try to save skunk sprayed clothing, do not try to save the standards and values of this world that clothed you before you met Jesus. Having casted off the filthy rags of this world we do not run around naked. We allow the seed of truth planted within us to save us. We humbly accept Christ, and he covers us in his love.