“The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.”

I’m always amazed at how often I can tell that a person is a follower of Christ during a first encounter with them. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it’s very fun. Sometimes they haven’t even said anything—it’s just how they carry themselves. Other times it’s the way they communicate that reveals something different inside them. It makes sense that when the Holy Spirit moves into our lives, His presence will be seen and felt in our interactions. If it’s not, we probably need to wonder why. It’s part of the light shining and salt shaking that comes with being a follower of Christ. Conversely, Solomon makes the point that those without the indwelling Holy Spirit have a different aroma in their presence. He actually calls it a stench that the wicked carry around. The soul of the lost is empty and, in many ways, rotting. My granddaughter works at a veterinary clinic, and yesterday she met her cousin and me for lunch. It was cold in the restaurant, so she went out and got her sweatshirt from her truck to let him wear. As he put it on, he said, “This stinks like wet dogs.” It looked clean—it actually was clean—it just carried the odor of where it spent most of its time: cleaning cages, bathing, and steadily interacting with dogs. When we spend our time in the presence of God, clothed in His Son, His aroma should precede us everywhere we go. When we exist in the possessed by the darkness of the evil one, we will naturally carry his stench. Today, freshen up everywhere you go. #BeTheEdge

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Jesus