A Fragrant Scent
by: Tamra Richardt
August 18, 2026
“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. 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 love perfume. The love of perfume captured me as a little girl, when my mother would carefully touch her wrists and just below her ears with a sweet fragrance that held gentle hints of honeysuckle and lavender - bringing to mind walks in wooded gardens filled with beautiful flowers and the warmth of the sun. A comforting note that I can still remember fondly today.
I have my own favorite perfume; one I’ve worn as my signature scent for over twenty years. It’s common for people to compliment this fragrance, which always brings a smile to my face. I like knowing my chosen scent is pleasant for others to be around.
On the other hand, I’ve developed a strong aversion to some fragrances. Some perfumes literally make my head feel like it’s going to explode - creating an instant headache! Have you ever stepped into an elevator, or had someone step into an elevator with you who had a strong perfume you instantly disliked - a scent so overwhelming that you reeled in repulsion?
It seems my sense of smell has heightened with age. I’m far more sensitive to particular scents than I’ve ever been before and have become extraordinarily particular about the fragrances I like and dislike. Which leads me to 2 Corinthians 2:15, 16, (NLT).
“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. 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’ve been giving a lot of thought lately to what this scripture above really means in our lives. How can we actively become that fragrance that draws rather than repels people to the cross of Christ?
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 says this:
“… and God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So, we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.”
We understand the task, we have the message, and we are called to be the ambassadors. But how can we become that which appeals and draws others to Jesus? The closer our walk with God, the more we are transformed into his likeness and image reflecting the sweet fragrance of the love of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT) says this:
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control….”
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
In this ongoing and lifelong process of sanctification, we are becoming a fragrant aroma which naturally draws others who are searching, to Christ.
“We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us…” (2 Corinthians 6:6,7, NLT).
Our lives are becoming a fragrant aroma, a personal letter others can read, as indicated in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NLT).
“…Your lives are a letter written in our hearts: everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly you are a letter for Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God. It is carved not on tables of stone, but on human hearts.”
The more we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the more our spiritual chemistry changes. The master Perfumer is at work creating the finely tuned compositions that collectively produce a unique aroma, one that reveals the character and nature of a living God literally carved into our hearts and oozing from every pore, affecting our choices, our words and actions.
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God” (Ephesians 5: 1-2, NLT).
And as we become God’s fragrant aroma, carrying with us the sweet scent of the Holy Spirit, we choose to step away from those things that fail to honor God, and instead become a beacon of hope, a light in the darkness, a sweet perfume leading others from the stench of sin and darkness into His marvelous light.
“You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16, NLT).
So, as I get dressed this morning, and pick up my favorite perfume bottle, I want to remember the greater call; to become a sweet aroma, a loving fragrance, an appealing perfume that draws all those I meet to the heart of Jesus. I pray my words, my actions, and my thoughts align with the heart of God, reflecting His love in all I do.
Prayer
Dear Father and Master Perfumer, create in me a clean heart. May my life become a sweet scent that draws others to the cross of Christ. Refine my spiritual chemistry to reflect your personal and life-changing aroma. Let me be a letter written by your own hand, one easily read by a lost and dying world. Transform me into your image and help me express the loving heart and hands of Jesus, a captivating and transformative fragrance for your great glory.
Worship: May The Fragrance
Further Study
Ephesians 5:2, Psalm 141:1, 2
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How can we actively become that fragrance that draws rather than repels people to the cross of Christ?