The Power of Scent
But thanks to God who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal his procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God a pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are in aroma that brings death; to the other, and aroma that brings life. -2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Have you ever walked by somebody and was pleasantly captivated by their alluring scent? On the contrary, I'm sure you've walked past someone with an overwhelming stench that seemed to grab you by the back of your throat and make you want to gag or throw up!
Scent is powerful! Because I am a psychology and neuroscience nerd, I have learned that the part of the brain that processes smell interacts with the region of the brain responsible for storing emotional memories.
I'm sure we've all experienced those moments where a familiar scent transports us back in time, unlocks memories and triggers emotions that remind us of a particular person or season of our lives. This happened to me just the other day, in fact! As I put on an old perfume (Marc Jacobs Daisy) it pulled me back to two years ago as I was in a relationship with the man I thought I was going to marry. Memories of this person and that time in my life are NOT pleasant ones! (Like my experience could seriously be written as a Christian version of a Lifetime Movie Network horror film). I'm pleased to report that my heart has healed and I am blessed to no longer be in the toxic, deceptive, and spiritually manipulative situation...but that doesn't mean I want to be pulled back to memories of that time. So when this happened, I marched around my house with a Holy boldness and went straight to the courtroom of Heaven and with prayer I petitioned God to disconnect that scent from any prior memories of this person and situation and claimed victory over my heart, mind and emotions! I began thanking God for protecting me and for leading me closer to the promises that He has in store for me. And it worked! God is good! Take it from me, friends...by the power of the Holy Spirit within you, you can disconnect the association of scent to unpleasant emotions in Jesus' name! Hallelujah!
But did you know that the power of scent goes beyond the natural but also is a scensory attribute of the Spirit of God, Himself?!
Yup! Holy Spirit has a scent! Have you ever smelled His presence? I have! In the times it has come upon me, it was sudden and completely overpowering and immediately struck my spirit and I began to cry in gratitude for this manifestation of His presence. It's a scent that's truly indescribable. There's not a recognizable element I could even begin to explain. It's powerful and unqiue to Him. I actually wonder if it's the same scent as the combination of anointing oil & incense as described in Exodus 30:22-38?! Those scent formulas were given to Moses by the Lord with specific instruction and a command that these scents were sacred and cannot be remade or used in any other way.
This scent permeates within you, Dearly Beloved. As Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16. And some will be allured to it, captivated by it, attracted to the Christ in you...and others will be repulsed as it aggrivates their decaying spirit due to rejecting Jesus. The scent of life in you confronts the spirit of death and decay in them. It will seem they don't like you or are rejecting you...let me just remind you, don't take it personal. It's Christ in you that they are rejecting. Pray for them. Don't be offended or match their actions of rejection. Just be love. Because you are a Holy reprentative who is called BELOVED!
Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly beloved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. -Ephesians 5:1-2
Speaking of scents and smell goods...have you ever heard of Scentbird?!
It's a monthly subscription service that sends you a sample of perfume or cologne each month for just $14.95! I love it! It's how I get to increase my perfume collection without having to spend boo-coo bucks. And it's actually MUCH more affordable than rollerballs.
For example, one of my FAVORITE scents is Tom Ford Black Orchid. At Sephora, the rollerball is $45 for .2 oz. but Scentbird sends me a .27 oz sample for $14.95?!?! .... You do the math!
My other favorite is Juliette Has A Gun, "Not a Perfume".... At Sephora, the travel size is .25 oz for $28....again Scentbird has a .27 ouz for $14.95!
{For my guy friends...I am an absolute contesseur of men's cologne. Seriously. Love it. My fave is Versace Eros!}
*Limited time offer. Sharing this blessing blesses me via this affiliate link. Thanks for smellin' awesome!