A Fragrance That Honors God

Do you look, act, talk, and even smell different in your Christian walk than the rest of the world does?

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
(Ephesians 5:8)

We all give off a “scent” spiritually speaking (2 Cor. 2:15–16). Just like in everyday life, the fragrance we carry as believers matters. Unfortunately, many Christians “smell” just like everyone else in the culture by embracing its values. But as children of God, we are called to live differently.

Ephesians 5 challenges us to “live as children of light,” meaning we are set apart to reflect God’s holiness. Part of our new identity in Christ is adopting a new fragrance—one that is Christlike and distinct from the world. Paul calls us to leave behind our old ways and embrace the new life we’ve been given in Christ.

The struggle we face today as a church is that we often hold on to our old selves—unhealthy habits, worldly desires, and lifestyles that no longer have a place in the life of a follower of Christ. Paul challenges us to examine ourselves: Are we living out the new person we’ve become in Christ? What are we tolerating in our lives? We will either create the life we want or tolerate the one we have. When we tolerate sin or unhealthy desires, we lose the clarity and purpose that God has designed for us.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live holy lives, set apart for Him. Our desires need to be controlled, much like a dog on a leash stays where it's supposed to be. If we let our desires run wild, they lead to destruction, hurting ourselves and others in the process.

Living in purity as children of light requires us to examine what we are exposing ourselves to—our surroundings, relationships, and choices. Remember, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so how you live matters. God is raising up a generation of men and women who stand firm in purity and choose to live counterculturally, with self-control, righteousness, and truth. Are you ready to live according to God’s standards and become a testimony to His power to break chains and transform lives?

Listen to the sermon: What Do You Smell Like?

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

I’m excited to share an amazing opportunity for you to connect with me and my co-host, Wayne Shepherd, on the Bold Steps YouTube channel! Every third Friday of the month, we dive into personal, in-depth conversations about relevant topics, listener questions, prayer requests, and spiritual themes. It’s a fantastic way to engage with the Bold Steps team on a deeper level.

Make sure to visit youtube.com/@boldstepsradio to join the conversation! Don’t miss out on this special chance to connect with us. We’ll see you this Friday!