When I think about it, smells have a lot of influence on our decisions. We walk into restaurants because we can smell the ribs cooking 100 yards away. We stay clear of talking to certain people because of the way their breath smells. We love walking into certain clothing stores because of the soothing aroma of the perfume section. Smells influence our...
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).
My wife’s family moved to Douglas, Georgia, from Montgomery, Alabama when she was 10 years old. Her mother had two job offers. One of them was in Douglas and the other was in another city in Georgia. She visited both places of potential employment and both jobs appeared to be great opportunities. The determining factor for her choice of employment wasn’t pay or location as one may think. She decided to work in Douglas, Georgia because the alternate choice was a position at a paper plant that covered the whole town in a terrible stench. She decided not to pack up her family and move to that particular city because of a smell. I’m thankful God was ordering her steps because Elizabeth and I met and fell in love with each other in Douglas.
When I think about it, smells have a lot of influence on our decisions. We walk into restaurants because we can smell the ribs cooking 100 yards away. We stay clear of talking to certain people because of the way their breath smells. We love walking into certain clothing stores because of the soothing aroma of the perfume section. Smells influence our decisions.
Jesus makes our lives fragrant-full. All of us at one time in our lives were covered in the stench of sin. We reeked with selfishness, strife, envy, bitterness, and fear. The moment we placed our faith in Jesus Christ and confessed Him as our Lord, His spotless blood washed away sins horrifying smell and He filled us with the sweet-smelling aroma of His Spirit.
Our lives are attractive to God and man because we diffuse the fragrance of Christ everywhere we go. People who are accustomed to living in the worlds stench find it refreshing when a believer comes near them putting off the sweet smell of Jesus. Jesus make us attractive. His fragrance is one of Triumph. It is one of victory!
If your life has appeared to repel people instead of draw them, if your life has appeared to repel the blessings of God instead of attract them, you may be covered in the stench of defeat. Rise up today, Jesus has made you more than a conquer. You are blessed. You are healed. You are loved. You have been forgiven. Encourage yourself in the Lord and put on the aroma of Christ by believing in the victory He has provided for you!
Blessings,
Brandon Burnm