The stench of sin by Minister Owen Mitchell

"…. And I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord,” Amos 4:10.

As the team gathered to pray, we briefly spoke about our inability to endure foul smells. This led us to Bible stories where unbearable smell must have been a factor. Think about it, after all the animals were created they lived among Adam and Eve in the garden. They would have had different body odors and not to mention defecation all over the garden of Eden. We touched Noah and the Ark and the stench that would have been in the boat. Daniel in the lion’s den. The plague of frogs that hit Egypt and the stench that came with it. Saints of God, have you ever thought about these biblical situations and the stench that’s associated with it?

Sin carries a stench, but God’s presence replaces it. Daniel 3: 27, “…. upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head stinged, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” The concept of the stench of sin is a metaphorical expression that describes the offensiveness of sin. Sin is depicted as producing a stench that is offensive to God. This highlights the contrast between righteousness and sin.

Children of God, sin carries a stench but the inception of God releases a sweet aroma that overthrows every uncomfortable smell of sin. The prodigal son in Luke 15 had to resort to living with pigs and that must have carried a smell. But when he came in contact with his father, a type of Christ, he was made clean and given new garments.

God Bless.