What Is Your Body Smell

Have you ever smelled a bad perfume? Have you ever smelled someone trying to cover up their smell with perfume? Have you ever been drawn to someone or somewhere by the slight scent of smell?

2 Corinthians 2:15-16

MSG – Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.

NLT – ¹⁵ Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.

I had an experience of perfume smelling differently on different people several years ago. It was one of the few perfumes I could actually wear, and it did not cause my allergies to go all hay-wire. I was sharing it with another lady, and it was a delight on her as well. Then one of my other friends smelled it in the bottle and loved it – but when she put it on and it mixed with her body chemistry – YUCK!! It smelled like swamp water on her! Dirty, moldy, musty, breath-choking, gross! We were ALL so amazed at this! This was my first experience of a fragrance being different because a person was different. I didn’t realize then, that this was an example talked about here in these verses in the bible, of us being like a wonderful fragrance to some and swamp water to others LOL.

So, these verses made me think, “what if someone had a fragrance that was too strong? Still nice, but overwhelming, overpowering, almost choking to those around them?” It made me think that someone wearing too strong of perfume = someone beating others over the head with Jesus. Not representing Jesus in love, but in selfishness or even pride. Strong-arming someone into believing in Jesus is NOT what is right or long lasting for their heart and soul.

In my heart, I picture us being that fresh smell from a beautiful bouquet that arrives, and we set in a prominent place in our home. If it is in the center, where there is good air circulation, we will smell the flowers from all over the house. This is a “sweet aroma”. However, that same bouquet in the middle of the florist shop – well, the whole shop is overpowering and when I walk into a florist shop, I cannot discern one smell over another, it makes my nose go crazy! LOL However, I feel when we have Jesus in us, and we are walking about in our lives, we are more like a garden. We have several flowers but spread over different areas and space. So, when we walk amongst others, we are like walking into different parts of a garden. Nothing overpowering, but full to our senses none the less.

My question is this: what is your body smell like to others? Hahaha, your actual body I reckon (wink wink), but I’m talking your spiritual body. What is the fragrance that you are lifting up before the Lord? When you walk amongst other believers, what fragrance are you putting off? How about when you are walking in the world amongst unbelievers, what are they smelling? Don’t be surprised if you come around some people and they are drawn to you, because of the sweet aroma you give off. While others will want to turn and walk away holding their nose, because to them you smell like rotting flesh. That is the enemy at work full force! Not only does he blind those he is trying to keep from seeing, believing and experiencing Jesus – but he attacks their smell as well.

I am praying for you today – that you go out and be that fresh bouquet that is a wonderful and pleasant aroma towards others. I pray, that as you are around others, you will be the shining delight of Jesus towards others, filling their senses with joy, peace, kindness and love. Have a wonderful day! Be safe, be well, and be blessed BIG time!