There have been times in my life I could really stink, wait, let me clarify that, my attitude stank! At times I did not give off the aroma of Christ! I probably could come up with quite a few examples, but I will give you just one. I am ashamed to say I was egotistical. Back in the day as they say, I was self-centered, proud, and arrogant. In other words, I had the “it’s all about me” syndrome. Even though I was a nice person, that mind-set showed up far too many times in my attitude. Our attitude determines how we relate to those around us. Some people may have seen this in me, and others may not have. But God did and I am sure He was not pleased! One of the lessons God taught me during my time in the wilderness is that nothing is about me, it is all about Him! When the attitude we possess places others first and we see people as important, our perspective will reflect their viewpoint as well as ours. Our attitude determines how we smell to God. Consider these questions; Is your thinking stinking? Are you self-centered, proud, or arrogant as I was? Are those around you drawn to God as a result of the sweet aroma of love and peace you display? Do your conversations constantly honor God, representing the fruit of the Spirit, and eject the fragrance of life, or are they sometimes laced with bitterness, resentment, anger, complaining, and gossip? Imagine what message it sends to our families, children, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, when we intentionally misrepresent Christ. And that is exactly what we are doing when we have nasty smelly attitudes and claim to represent God, our attitude deforms the face of Christianity. Anytime negative thoughts or behavior creep into our thoughts, conversations, or behavior, we must reject them and pray to God for a clean heart. Pray to God for an attitude that gives off an aroma of Christ? Everyone may need an attitude adjustment now and then. I made a list of attitude adjustments I needed to work on. Over the years, day by day, that list gets shorter. We all are a work in progress. I found out that with the help of the Lord we can clean up and smell right nice. I am working on taking captive of my thoughts before they come out of my mouth. In doing this I find I am inclined to speak the best, not the worst, to speak of beauty and not the ugly, and to praise and not curse. I am working on my attitude because I want to smell good to God all the time, not just sometimes. We can dress up on the outside all we want, and be looking really cute too, with our stinking self. It is not until we clean up on the inside will we have that sweet aroma, the one that is pleasing to God. I realized a long time ago that I cannot do it alone. We all must spend time in prayer asking God to reveal areas in our life that does not smell as they should and to help us clean up. Love and Blessings…
“If we say, “We aren’t sinful” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
“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.” NLT (2 Corinthians 2:15)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6)
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)
“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:5-6)
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 4:29; 5:3–4)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
EMMANUEL 