Hey Friend, it’s been so long. This theme of ‘aroma’ has been on my mind since last year and just resurfaced recently. The term ‘aroma’ is usually associated with something good. Specifically, it is used to depict a strong yet pleasant smell of something, usually food, drinks etc. Who doesn’t love the aroma of freshly baked bread or freshly brewed coffee in the early hours of the morning? We all do, even if some of us don’t particularly drink coffee, haha! So, when we are pleased with the aroma of something, we are drawn to it and thus easily desire to be where that thing is. However, when we abhor the odour of something, we are immediately repelled and look for ways to run away from it. Last year I was reminded of how this concept of aroma can apply to us humans, in terms of how we relate with one another, respond to situations, and ultimately how our behaviours and choices impact those around us. Specifically, do our conduct and way of life draw people closer or repel them?

Sometimes as Christians we do not realize the importance and impact our obedience to Christ has on not just our lives but on the lives of those around us. Who we choose to obey or surrender our lives to, generally dictates not only how we interact with others, respond to circumstances but I think it can ultimately influence the aroma we emit to those around us. As people who have surrendered their heart, soul and mind to the worship and service of Christ Jesus (the reconciler of man to the Living God), obedience to the ways of Christ is a none negotiable if we truly want a pleasing aroma emitted from our lives. When we obey Christ, by applying Biblical principles in our everyday life, the aroma easily emitted from our lives can only be what Galatians 5 refers to as the “Fruit of Spirit”, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to befriend or simply be in the company of someone who exhibits these valuable traits in their behaviours, interactions, relationships and response to situations? of-course we all do!

Through personal experience, observations, literature reading/viewing as well as simply listening to others, the issue I find is that our obedience to Christ is at times partial or simply out of convenience when we think the outcome is likely to be in our favour. This can cause us to emit a stench, which if not addressed may repel those around us. Now don’t get me wrong, as believers in Christ, we are bound to repel but repel darkness, evil, wickedness, and those with malicious intentions. As 1 John 1:5-7 clearly puts it, “God’s Light dispels darkness”. For example, when Christ physically roamed the earth over 2000 years ago, His teachings, miracles, and simple presence on various occasions repelled evil/dark spirits as well as those who were ill-intentioned such as the Pharisees. In fact John 3:19-23 says ” Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil”. However, there were other crowds who were very much drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ’s presence, miracles and teachings. So, the issue here is the kind of people being repelled.

When we disobey Christ, this may impact how we interact with others as well as how we respond to situations i.e. whether out of selfishness or regard for God and the well being of others. The outcome of disobedience as described in Galatians 5 is sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness etc. So, who in their right mind would want to associate with or take advice from someone who easily flares up in anger, gets verbally / emotionally / physically and spiritually abusive, someone who is not reliable and trustworthy, or is simply a selfish person? If we are honest, the answer is ‘none’. Thus, our disobedience can easily deter those who are genuinely seeking to know and/or grow in Christ from doing so. As followers of Christ, if we do not align our mindset, attitudes and behaviours with the principles of the Bible when interacting with others, we may run the risk of emitting a stench, which repels, instead of a beautiful aroma that can encourage one in the ways of Christ or draw those in true search of The Living God closer to finding Him.

So, Friend, how’s the aroma of your life at the moment? Spiritually speaking, would you say you are emitting a pleasing aroma to God in your day to day? In terms of your relationships and interactions with others, is what is emitted by your character, attitude, behaviour and life in general a beautiful fragrance that draws people into friendship with you and maturity in their walk with Christ? Is it also a fragrance that genuinely draws people closer to a real encounter with The Living God, who sent His Son Jesus Christ, through Whom by way of repentance man can be reconciled with God their Creator? If you know your behaviour, attitude, way of thinking or life in general is not emitting an aroma that draws the right people in, be encouraged to look up to Christ Jesus. For Christ is more than able to restore a pleasing aroma wherever needed in our lives; thus empowering us to 1) abstain from being a stumbling block to those genuinely seeking a true encounter with The Living God and 2) simply enjoy the human experience as intended by God. Friend, where are you at on this topic of “emitting a beautiful aroma”? Let’s chat!