2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing

My sense of smell has been dulled the past few weeks due to a stubborn sinus infection. So this morning when I was about to slip on my right Converse tennis shoe it was unscented as far as I was concerned.  I did, however notice a small patch of grass enmeshed with what appeared to be dog mess. Upon closer inspection I confirmed it. 

We're road-tripping today.  I'm glad I could spare my riding companions the foul smell. 

  
Worse than smelling poo on your shoe is being unaware that you stink while others around you are adversely affected. 

I know from experience. I remember a day in my first grade classroom telling the kids that one of them had suffered the misfortune of stepping in mess. I walked around the room inspecting first grade shoes when one of the kids interrupted "It's you!"  

Lesson learned. Check yourself. 

Mess on our shoe isn't the worst time we give off a bad aroma. Flagrant sin can be an ill-effecting and long-lasting stench in the nostrils of people around us. 

What's your stink? 

Is it the way you treat a cashier when you're in a hurry? The way you talk to your kids when you're irritable or exhausted?

Is it some nasty habit or a lifestyle choice you've convinced yourself is ok, even though God's word leads you to believe otherwise? 

Are you apathetic? Apathy stinks too. 

Self smell checks should be a priority. Scripture reading and prayer help us to identify where we stink. 

When our senses are dulled, hopefully we have friends to help. 

As aforementioned, sometimes we don't smell our stink. Several years ago I sat with a group of friends. We were mainly listening to one friend in the group who was facing a rather important family decision. She was frustrated and worn out. In her anxiety this good friend of mine began to grumble about her husband; something many of us have found ourselves guilty of doing. Another friend in the room laughed nervously and then told her, in the kindest manner, that she was saying things that she wouldn't say had she thought better. 

I'm thankful for friends like that (probably not at the time if I'm the one being corrected). We all need a friend like that; a friend that loves us enough to say "Hey friend that I love... you've lost it" or "Take some time to think about what you're doing". 

Many of us, including myself, are weak in this area. Maybe it's because we have so many aquaintances, but few friends as close as a sister (sisters are awesome at pointing out the necessary). 

We may worry that our words will hurt rather than help. We may be concerned that Godly counsel may end in our losing a friend. Maybe we fear that being a friend who values this kind of transparency will provide opportunity for our own stink to be exposed. 

Proverbs 27:9

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man's counsel is sweet to his friend.

Dear God, 

May you remind us daily to "check ourselves" in prayer and according to your word. May we trust that your correction is gentle and always for our good. Help us to invest time in friendships making it a little easier to say the hard things that will sometimes need to be said. We ask that you shut our mouths when we're about to speak without love and that you'll give us boldness when we should speak. May we come to better know your idea of what a friend is. 

 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. 

Colossians 3:16