2 Corinthians 2:14-16 14 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.”

You have heard that a single bad apple spoils the whole bunch. One bad or unrighteous influence has the ability to contaminate many who would otherwise remain holy and acceptable unto God. We are living in societies driven by a pool of influences. From how and where we spend our money; to the guidelines establishing labor market demand and education supply; to the ever-changing paradigm of mass communication that is being forced upon us daily; local and foreign communities are being persuaded by direct and indirect dominances that tell us how we ought to live and handle our everyday life situations. But thanks be to God who causes us to triumph in Christ and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

It is by wearing the fragrance of Christ that we as believers are able to be the influence of God’s righteousness. We are vessels that carry the aroma of life that leads to life and we overcome every influence that opposes the truth and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He who has a saving knowledge (fragrance) of Christ, has intact all that is essential to his welfare in the life that is, and in that which is to come; but to him that has not this knowledge, though he may be distinguished in the learning of the schools, and may be profoundly skilled in the sciences, has in reality no knowledge that will avail him in the great matters pertaining to his eternal welfare (Barnes, 1870). We must choose then to submit to the indwelling fragrance within us that keeps us from perishing and leads us to eternal life. To avoid being led astray, we must grow in all grace, faith, virtue and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Remember the “Calgon talk me away” commercial?” Well when I read 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, I discern an intimacy with God that goes beyond our natural thoughts and limited understanding. Intimate because the scripture speaks about a fragrance that the believers of Christ are unified with that rises above into heaven as a sweet aroma or incense to the Father that He receives in glory unto Himself. Just as the sweet fragrances of Calgon, candles and perfumes soothe us to the core of our being and takes us to another place (therapeutically); so does the fragrance of Christ moves us, transforms us and empowers us into the likeness of God’s incorruptible glory.

We set forth the fragrance of Christ by living and spreading the gospel of His glory. Our conversations, our communications, and our influence to societies that have been infected with the aroma of death (or bad apples) should stand unmovable on the knowledge and testament of Jesus Christ. It is His fragrance that has the transformational power to lead all who receive it to a new life and right relationship with our heavenly Father (Romans 5:16-18). It is a supernatural triumph that will not allow us to be overtaken by other influences when we walk and exercise the authorities that have been given to us by God.

Have you ever walked past someone, only to stop and ask them, “What fragrance is that you are wearing today ?” How many of us have walked into a Starbucks only to observe, not only do they have quality coffee but also a distinctive aroma and atmosphere that is all their own. The aroma does not over power you, but the fragrance does linger with you for a while. That is the same affect that wearing the Fragrance of Christ will do for you and the ministries God has appointed to you.

God is the General that leads us to conquer the influences of the enemy in this battle. It is God that makes us sufficient and our ministries effective as we diffuse the sweet smell of the Spirit of God that bears fruit in the lives of every believer. As a result, we are the vessels of God’s glory bringing life to those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer. God has declared an end to the influence of sin over us by giving us His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Receive it or not, the aroma of life is a pervasive influence that supersedes any other. It is a fragrant of triumph most pleasing to God. Always for His glory and our joy in Him!

Sources:
Barnes, A. (1870) Peter. In Albert Barnes notes on the Whole Bible.
Retrieved on April 02, 2013 from https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/2-peter-3.html

~ Yolanda Banks

Prophetess Yolanda Banks is the founder of Amplified Life Ministries and the Co-Pastor of New Deliverance Bible Church in Sugar Land, Texas. She is a life coach and motivational speaker passionate about spiritually equipping others to discover and walk in their God divine purpose victoriously. Her multifaceted ministry emphasizes supernatural empowerment that inspires many to live transformational and productive Christian lives.

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