First of all, this is a no-judgment post — because I’m an artist, and I’m sensitive about my ish!
Over the last two months, I’ve spent an extra $200 on deodorant. If you know me personally, you know I do not playabout smells. It’s a non-starter for me. Breath and body odor? Top-level concerns. I shower often, keep my teeth cleaned, use the best skincare, and finish off with some Creed. The vibes are top tier.
For the Word says:
“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” — 2 Corinthians 2:15–17 NIV
So yes, I take pride in being a sweet aroma.
When Things Still Smell Off
But lately, out of nowhere, I started feeling… a little musty at the end of the day. Not dramatically so — I doubt anyone else noticed (though if you did and didn’t say anything, we actually may not be friends).
Still, I was concerned. I saw a TikTok that said it could be bacterial, so I bought an antibacterial underarm cleanser. Switched from Dove — maybe it wasn’t strong enough for a man. Then tried Old Spice, Salt & Stone, Kiehl’s, sprays, you name it. Same result.
I started to get overwhelmed. Maybe it was my diet? Maybe my water intake? Literally nothing made sense.
Then one day in prayer, as I was surrendering my heart, my mind, my spirit, my voice, my thoughts, and my life, something said — “Did you surrender your flesh?”
That stopped me.
Because everything I had been struggling with — the anxiety, the temptation, the frustration — wasn’t just spiritual. It was fleshly. And the reality is this: if we don’t surrender our flesh, we can walk around with a renewed spirit and still smell and look a little off.
I realized I had been living by the Spirit, but not always mindful of the flesh.
The Battle Within
In searching for understanding, I came to this passage:
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out… Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” — Romans 7:18–20, 24–25 ESV
Paul said it best: even when our heart desires good, our flesh can still betray us.
But then I found strength in this passage:
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit… But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” — Galatians 5:16–18 NIV
And further,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” — Galatians 5:22–24 NIV
That’s when I realized — this wasn’t about deodorant. It was about discipline.
Flesh on the Altar
So I went back to prayer, but this time I surrendered everything — including the flesh. Because if my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak, then I have to bring all of me to the altar.
For the Word says:
“Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” — John 1:13–14 ESV
And again Paul writes:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” — Romans 12:1–2 ESV
Because if we want to be a sweet aroma before the Lord, we have to surrender all of who we are — spirit and body alike.
The Revelation
At the end of that prayer, I echoed David’s words:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! See if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:23–24 ESV
And as I prayed that, a funny — but humbling — revelation came.
In this new season of growth, I’ve been training harder, building muscle, developing my back and shoulders. (Yes, the body is tea!) But in that growth, a small muscle formed under my arm — a tiny crevasse that didn’t exist before.
And because it wasn’t there before, my deodorant never reached it. I had grown in a way that created a new area that needed intentional care.
And that’s how the Spirit spoke.
The same thing happens in our lives — the areas that grow fastest often create new crevasses. Hidden places where sin, insecurity, or ego can build up if we’re not paying attention. You can grow in strength and still stink in spirit if you don’t cover everything God is expanding in you.
The body — like the soul — requires care in the hard-to-reach places.
The Covering
Now that I know better, I cover that area more intentionally. I scrub harder, apply more consistently, and stay alert.
Because the lesson is this: your growth demands new levels of awareness and surrender.
When God grows you, He’ll also show you where your flesh still needs His covering. And when you invite Him into that space, the same Spirit that renews your mind will also purify your body — your habits, your cravings, your hidden crevasses.
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16 NIV
Growth without surrender creates gaps — and those gaps can be where we start to smell. But growth with submission produces fragrance — the aroma of Christ that fills the room.
Prayer
Lord, search me completely — my heart, my thoughts, and even the unseen places of my flesh. Show me the areas I’ve outgrown but have not yet surrendered. Teach me to cover what You’ve expanded, to tend to what You’ve strengthened, and to care for my whole self — body and spirit — as a living sacrifice before You. May my life, in every form, be a sweet aroma pleasing to You. Amen.
Reflection Question
What area of your life has grown but now needs new care, new boundaries, or new surrender? Are there “crevasses” in your character — small, hidden spaces — where you need to invite God’s covering again?
