“Who’s Going to Catch the Dogs?” by Dr. Johnny O. Trail, LMFT
Typically, when one’s canine approaches and wants to be acknowledged, their human pats them on the head or pets the side of the dog’s bodhy. It is a joy when one’s dog desires nothing more than a good pet from his owner, but there are times when one might want to refrain from petting his dog.
For my entire young life, we owned hunting dogs. In addition to being excellent pets, they were very capable of trailing and treeing racoons. Racoons were not the only animals that tended to be nocturnal in nature. Sometimes at night, these dogs would run afoul of a skunk and be showered with odious contents of the skunk’s defense mechanism.
After completing their trailing, they would sometimes run back to where we were at—freshly sprayed with skunk odor. They would gleefully raise up on their hind legs and expect a receptive pet from their owners, but we would typically run or move in the other direction. At the end of the night, we were left with one burning question, “Who’s going to catch the dogs?” After all, who wants to place a leash on a dog that smells like a skunks’ play toy?! The one who placed the leash upon the dog would then be responsible for leading the dog out of the woods. This might take some time given the nature of following a dog for many miles over rough terrain at night. Oh, the joy of following such an odious creature.
Fragrances are powerful things. Sometimes a smell can illicit a good or bad memory. The smell of bacon in the morning always makes me think of my mother and the wonderful breakfasts she would cook. The smell of a dead skunk in the middle of a highway—presumably trying to demonstrate to the chicken that it can be done—makes me reflect on my hunting dogs and their encounters with the occasional pole cat. A favorite cologne or perfume might make one think of their spouse or someone dear to them.
Smells are mentioned in God’s word too. Did you know that Christians are expected to spread their fragrance to those who are around them? The Apostle Paul says as much in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”
The aroma we put off can attract some to Christ and turn others away who are unwilling to respond. Typically, people who are dating or wanting to remain in good standing with those around them try to wear items that enhance the way they smell to others. This is true of spiritual situations as well. You would not go on a date smelly, so why approach people with a “foul” or bad disposition when talking about Christ?
How can the child of God be a good aroma to those around him? For one thing, we can be a good influence upon others by the way we speak. This goes along well with the idea of allowing our speech to be seasoned with salt. Colossians 4:6 says, Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
To be a good aroma to others, we can display a happy, joyful disposition. If a Christian always appears to be down in his countenance, others will notice this and wonder about the appeal of Christianity. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” The most ironic thing about that passage is that Paul wrote this epistle from prison. We need to follow the advice of Paul as we interact with people who are unbelievers too.
Contrariwise, there is an aroma that relates to death. One of the worst smells that one can experience is the carcass of an animal that has been hit along the highways of our great nation. Even at seventy miles per hour on an interstate system, this smell can make its way into the cabin of a car! Once you have smelled that scent, you will never forget it.
As proclaimers and teachers of the word we are not merely “peddling the word of God.” The word translated “peddling” from the NKJV could also be rendered as “retail, adulterate, or corrupt.” Those who sincerely proclaim God’s word are doing so in the “sight of God in Christ.” There is something sweetly aromatic about the pure, unadulterated proclamation of God’s word.
Proclaimers and teachers of God’s word are expected to teach the word without respect of persons or creeds. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 says, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Evangelists are not retailing a message that perverts the truth for the enjoyment and approval of the audience. Preachers have a responsibility to teach the Word in a loving and “aromatic” way without compromising the truth.
No, indeed, they proclaim the truth in love even when the audience does not love them or the message. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 says, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” If the audience craves the truth, an evangelist and his message are well received—like a sweet aroma. If the auditors reject the truth the proclaimer and his message are rejected—like the aroma of death.
Still, there is a beauty involved with those actively proclaiming the word. Romans 10:15 says, “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” As God’s people we need to consider the aroma that surrounds our person. Hopefully, it is accurately representing God’s word and attracting those outside of Christ.
“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
--William Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet”
