Don’t be a Stinky Christian

Some mornings you wake up feelin’ fresh as a daisy, and other mornings you smell about as spiritual as a dirty, ole’ gym sock left in a truck bed. Which brings us to today’s question: Are you a stinky Christian? Not “did‑you‑forget‑your‑deodorant” stinky, but more like, “my attitude could peel paint” stinky.

Now imagine your name pops up in conversation. What do folks say? “Oh yeah, that’s the one who loves Jesus,” or “Lord help us, here that ole’ thing comes…” Sure, some people will talk ugly, no matter what. You could hand ’em a warm biscuit, and they’d complain it’s too buttery, but generally speaking, what’s your reputation smell like?

Romans 14:16 says, “Don’t let your good be evil spoken of.” In Southern terms: don’t be livin’ so sideways that folks can’t tell if you’re followin’ Jesus or just followin’ drama.

A Christian ought to carry a God‑scent, not a stink‑cloud.
Your words? Life‑giving.
Your actions? Loving.
Your attitude? Grace with a side of mercy.
Self‑control? Worn like a necklace, not tossed in the junk drawer.

But mercy, it’s easy to slip into that ditch of “Well, I’m workin’ on my walk. Everybody else is on their own.” That’s how you end up a spiritual hermit: saved, sanitized, and absolutely no earthly good.

Paul told Timothy, “Preach the Word… be ready in season and out of season.” That doesn’t mean you need a pulpit and a three‑point sermon. It means your life ought to holler “Jesus!” even when your mouth is quiet. Somebody you know, maybe your coworker, your cousin, or your neighbor who mows at 6 a.m.,, doesn’t know Christ, and when you’re around ’em, are you talkin’ Heaven or Housewives?

Truth is, most folks don’t come to Jesus because someone argued ’em into the kingdom. They come because someone loved ’em into it. Somebody kept showing up. Somebody kept praying. Somebody smelled like grace instead of gossip.

So, check your fragrance, friend. Are you pointing people to the cross or to confusion?

Lord, help me smell like Jesus today, not bitterness, not gossip, not attitude. Make my life a porch‑light that leads others home to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Now go on, and freshen up that spiritual scent. The world’s discerning nose is wide open to be able to take in that sweet aroma of Christ scintillatingly drifting from you!

With joy,

Gwen