The Power of Touch (Part 5)

by | May 26, 2025 | The Daily Word with Pastor KBN | 0 comments

The Power of TOUCH WIDE

Chapter 5: A Sweet-Smelling Savor

Living a Life Pleasing to God Through the Power of Spiritual Senses

Subtitle: Unlocking the Fragrance of Worship and Righteous Living

Opening Prayer
Father, I pray to You.
I ask forgiveness of sin as I come before You.
As I open my mouth to glorify Your name, let all who hear be blessed.
Let the hearers be edified, built up, and encouraged.
Let them have a desire to worship and praise Your name and become a sweet-smelling savor to You, Father.
I give You the glory and the honor, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God has blessed us with five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. These gifts allow us to perceive, interpret, and interact with the world He created. Each sense plays a vital role not just physically, but spiritually as well.

Today, we focus on smell, a powerful sense that is often overlooked in its spiritual significance. While we typically associate smell with physical fragrances, Scripture reveals how it symbolizes deeper truths—prayers, offerings, righteousness, and even spiritual decay.

Let’s explore what the Bible says about the “sweet-smelling savor” and how we, as believers, can live a life that produces a pleasing aroma to God.

The Biblical Significance of Smell

In Scripture, smell is used both literally and figuratively. It conveys God’s response to the condition of the heart—whether pure or impure. From the incense in the tabernacle to the spiritual fragrance of Jesus’ sacrifice, smell is a symbol of connection between heaven and earth.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.”
— Ephesians 5:1–2 (KJV)

The apostle Paul reminds us that Christ’s selfless love and sacrifice was a pleasing aroma to God. As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in that same love, offering ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
— Romans 12:1 (KJV)

Our lives should reflect a continuous act of worship that rises to God like incense—a fragrant expression of obedience, love, and devotion.

Literal Examples of Smell in Scripture

1. Burnt Offerings

Burnt offerings were common in the Old Testament, offered to atone for sin and to express devotion. The aroma of these offerings was pleasing to God.

“But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.”
— Leviticus 1:9 (KJV)

The fragrance rising from the altar symbolized a life set apart and dedicated to God’s will.

2. Incense as Worship and Prayer

Incense was burned continually in the tabernacle and temple. It represented the prayers of the saints ascending to God.

“Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
— Psalm 141:2 (KJV)

3. Gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh

At Jesus’ birth, the Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were not only symbolic of kingship, deity, and sacrifice but also carried a sweet aroma representing honor and reverence.

4. Jesus’ Anointing and Burial

Jesus was anointed with fragrant oils both in worship and in preparation for His burial.

“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus… and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.”
— John 12:3 (KJV)

“And there came also Nicodemus… and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.”
— John 19:39 (KJV)

These acts symbolized submission, love, and prophetic preparation, and their fragrance filled the atmosphere with divine purpose.

Figurative Uses: The Fragrance of Righteous Living

Throughout the Bible, the metaphor of a sweet-smelling savor is used to describe righteousness and godly living.

“For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.”
— 2 Corinthians 2:15 (KJV)

Our behavior and attitude have a spiritual fragrance that reaches heaven. When we live in obedience, walk in love, and pursue holiness, we become a fragrant offering, pleasing to the Lord.

Just as foul odors can alert us to decay and corruption, so too can the stench of sin signal spiritual decline. God is drawn to righteousness, but He is repelled by hypocrisy and pride.

“Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.”
— Jeremiah 6:20 (KJV)

This verse serves as a warning: God desires the heart behind the offering, not just the act itself.

Becoming a Sweet-Smelling Savor to God

So how can we become a pleasing aroma in God’s nostrils today?

  • Live a life of sacrifice—Offer yourself to God daily.

  • Walk in love—Imitate Christ in compassion and humility.

  • Worship sincerely—Let your praise rise like incense.

  • Repent quickly—Turn away from sin to maintain spiritual purity.

  • Serve faithfully—Do all things as unto the Lord.

  • Keep a pure heart—Out of the heart flows the fragrance of your spirit.

Conclusion

Living a life that pleases God means becoming a sweet-smelling savor—an aroma of righteousness that rises to His throne.

Key Takeaways

  • Your life can emit a spiritual fragrance to God.

  • Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate sweet-smelling savor.

  • Worship and prayer are like incense to the Lord.

  • Obedience and holiness make your life a pleasing aroma.

  • God desires the heart behind your actions.

  • Smell is both symbolic and spiritual in Scripture.