What Fragrance are You Wearing?
II Corinthians 2:14-15
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
The fragrance industry in America is huge! So, it is safe to assume, that people care a lot about how they smell and if others like the way they smell. Fragrance commercials try to appeal to our sense of uniqueness by selling us on the idea that our choice of fragrance says a lot about us as individuals. Some advertisements go as far as to imply, that fragrance can ignite an emotional or physical response from others toward us. The concept of aroma therapy is based on using fragrances from essential oils to affect our moods, relieve our stress, and give us more energy, through scented candles, lotions, diffused oils, etc. If fragrance truly has that kind of power, then the spiritual implications of the above Scripture passage, are enormous!
A Divine Revelation
So, let me ask you again, “What fragrance are you wearing?” Are you wearing one manufactured by the world that attracts others to you while covering up the smell of your flesh or are you wearing the fragrance of Christ which has everyone around you captivated by the sweet smell of His aroma?
How does one wear the fragrance of Christ? Well, as with a manufactured fragrance, one usually applies it after a shower or bath. So, it is with the fragrance of Christ. The cleansing of a believer’s heart is a continual process that is done daily by drinking in the Word and by spending time with God in prayer to purify our hearts and minds. When we do these things, the wretchedness of our flesh is exposed. His love invites us to confess it and then repent of it. Our heart, mind, and soul are then washed clean in the waters of forgiveness that has already be purchased at the cross. Next, we need to clothe ourselves in both God’s armor and Christ’s righteousness. This is when the scent or fragrance of holiness which comes through the filling of the Holy Spirit can be applied.
How do we acquire the fragrance of Christ once we have spiritually bathed and clothed ourselves? The only way to acquire the fragrance of Christ is to continually abide in the presence of God. HE IS THE FRAGRANCE and when we abide in His presence, we will have His fragrance upon us.
A Divine Challenge
In a worldly sense, many have been caught in adultery simply because the smell of someone else’s fragrance lingered on their clothing, exposing their infidelity to their spouse or loved one. I can only speak for myself, but the only other person I want to have a passionate, intimate relationship with other than my spouse, is with my Savior. I want my spouse when they arrive home at the end of the day to know who I’ve been with. That His fragrance of patience, kindness, and faithfulness permeates the air, making our home a loving, accepting, and inviting place to be. I’m sure the response of my spouse, my children, and everyone around me would be different if I wore His fragrance daily. I wish I could say I did, but all too often, I don’t. Instead of the captivating smell of His fragrance, they get the rancid stench of my flesh. I know I’m not alone in this either. The chaos, anger, and unrest in the world today are evidence of that and this grieves my heart deeply.
Call to Action
As a beautiful fragrance often does, it encourages others to draw near and possibly inquire about the name of the fragrance we’re wearing so others can find out how to get it. Isn’t that the response we want people to have toward the God in us? Can those around us tell that we’ve been in the presence of God because we’re wearing the fragrance of Christ? If not, maybe you and I need to change the fragrance we’re wearing.
Father, we what to wear Your fragrance! Help us make it a priority to bathe ourselves in Your Word, spend time with You in prayer and lavish ourselves in Your presence throughout the day. Then Your fragrance will draw others around us to You! In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!