Five Aromas God Likes to Smell

Vanilla Cinnamon Brulee.

I was looking for a new candle for the house, and this one encapsulated all the scents I loved. So I bought it and it did not disappoint.

Every time I burn the new candle, it sends a pleasing aroma throughout the house, and makes me happy. Perhaps pleasing smells do that for you.

Like the aroma of hot bread cooking in the oven.

Chocolate chip cookies.

Your favorite perfume.

What is a soothing aroma to you?

Our Father in Heaven made us in his image, so we can deduce God also has a sense of smell.

And just like us, there are certain scents that make him smile ear-to-ear.

During his early years with his chosen people, the Israelites’ burnt offerings tickled his nostrils. “As an aroma pleasing to the LORD, offer a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect” (Numbers 29:2).

Food offerings were also fragrant aromas to God. “Everyone who is native-born must do these things in this way when they present a food offering as an aroma pleasing to the LORD” (Numbers 15:13).

But since we don’t make those kinds of sacrifices anymore, what are some current-day aromas that reach God on his holy throne? Here are five:

1. Those who accept Christ. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life…” God loves it every time someone chooses his Son. Jesus said there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). Salvation is like the fragrance of an expensive perfume to God.

2. Our tithes and gifts. When speaking to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul said their support of his ministry pleased God. “I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). When our bank account reflects a priority on things above, that is an aroma the LORD loves to smell.

3. Our Sacrifices. While we don’t offer up burnt offerings anymore, there’s a new kind of sacrifice required by God, and just like the old sacrifice, I have to believe that it too is a pleasing aroma to God. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” What does this mean? Sacrificing any desire that goes against God’s Word. Sacrificing our schedule to give back to God. Sacrificing our finances to do God’s work. There are many sacrifices that emit intoxicating scents to Heaven.

4. Our prayers. A verse that intensified my prayer life is found in Revelation 5:8.

“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”

After reading this passage, I realized our prayers are a pleasing aroma to God, so every time I lift up my supplications, I see an image of my prayers being like my favorite scented candle, a sweet aroma rising up to the presence of God.

5. Loving others like Christ loves us. 

Are you sharing Christ with those who do not know him?

Are you setting aside financial blessings for the church, and others?

Are you sacrificing your desires and time for God’s work?

Are you praying daily?

It’s not to late to light the candle.