By Morris Wambua

They say, “Come as you are,” and, yes, that’s true for God.

He sees your heart, knows your thoughts, and loves you unconditionally. But let’s not kid ourselves here—humans?

Humans are not God.

We rely on our senses, and if one of those senses (smell, to be specific) is being assaulted, it becomes hard to hear the Good News.

Let me be real with you—if you come to me with the Word of God but your mouth is kicking like Bruce Lee or your body has a smell strong enough to cast out demons, I’ll respectfully excuse myself.

It’s not because I don’t love your God, but because I don’t love your odor.

So, while you’re busy preparing your testimony and sharpening your Scriptures, don't forget to freshen up and package yourself neatly.

After all, there’s only so much grace people will give to a sermon when their nose is calling for divine
intervention!

Come to think of it this way; you could be filled with the Spirit, words of wisdom flowing from your lips like living water, but if the first thing people notice is the scent of yesterday’s sweat and garlic, you’re in trouble.

You could have the anointing of Moses, but if you walk into a room with an aura of “unwashed gym clothes,” your message is likely to evaporate faster than the parting of the Red Sea.

The Ministry of Smelling Good: Not Just for Perfume Ads

Ever noticed how some people walk by, and their scent lingers pleasantly in the air, like a gentle reminder that good hygiene is, in fact, a spiritual gift?

Now, imagine that same walk-by moment, except this time the scent isn’t perfume but something that brings to your mind a forgotten pile of laundry.

The nose is an unforgiving judge, and in ministry, the last thing you want is for your audience to remember your smell more than your message.

When you read that Jesus is the Rose of Sharon, it’s not just poetic language.

If Jesus had a divine fragrance, wouldn’t it make sense that we, as His followers, should at least
aim to smell pleasant, if not heavenly?

You don’t need designer perfumes to make an impression, but a quick visit to your nearest shop for some affordable deodorant or body spray can work wonders.

These days, even the local Somali shopkeeper has affordable options that won’t break the bank but will keep you from breaking the spirits of those around you.

Packaging 101: Dress Like You’re Expecting to Win Souls, Not Like You’re Lost in the
Laundry

Now, let's move on to packaging—the visual presentation.

Assume you’re about to give someone the most beautiful gift they've ever received. It’s wrapped in shiny paper with a bow on top, neat edges, and every detail carefully attended to.

The person receiving it already feels special, and they haven’t even opened it yet.

That’s the effect of good presentation.

Now, imagine if you hand them the same gift, but this time it’s wrapped in crumpled newspaper with oil stains on it.

Same gift, different reaction.

The Gospel is the greatest gift anyone can receive, but don’t hand it over like a greasy sandwich in a paper bag.

Your appearance—the way you dress, groom, and present yourself—is the packaging.

It says, "I care about you, and I care about this message enough to present it well."

You don’t have to wear luxury brands or walk around in a three-piece suit. In fact, simple, clean, and neat will do just fine.

Iron your clothes, polish your shoes, and keep everything tidy.

After all, would you listen to someone trying to sell you a message of hope if they look like they
just rolled out of bed?

Probably not.

God Doesn't Mind Your Outfit, But People Do

There’s a popular belief that God cares more about your heart than your outfit.

That’s true.

How about people?

People care about both.
As much as we'd like to pretend that appearance doesn’t matter, the truth is, it's the first thing people notice.

Walking into a room looking like you've had a long battle with a washing machine might not scream "message of hope and salvation."

Mixing up colors to the extend of looking like a herbalist may not make your audience think of you as a walking prayer machine. They might only see a walking wardrobe!

It’s like showing up for a job interview with mismatched shoes—you might be brilliant, but all they’ll remember are your feet.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what most people do.

The cover is what attracts them in the first place. So, if your cover is disorganized, disheveled, and, well, a bit stinky, don’t be surprised if people aren’t lining up to read what’s inside.

This doesn’t mean you need to show up in expensive outfits or designer shoes—just make sure your clothes are clean, pressed, and presentable.

A little effort in your appearance goes a long way.

The Power of Fresh Air: Why Scent is Evangelism's Best Kept Secret

Scent is a silent messenger.

It can create warmth and comfort or push people away faster than an angry bee.

Imagine you’re at a prayer meeting, and everything is going well. The room is filled with worship, people are praising, and the atmosphere is set.

Then, someone walks in smelling like they’ve just run a marathon in a wool sweater.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifts—not spiritually, but olfactorily.

The prayer might be fervent, but all anyone can think about is holding their breath.

Your scent is like the background music of any interaction. It sets the tone without saying a word.

Just as Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfume, creating a moment that was both holy and fragrant, we too can make our presence memorable—not just for our words, but for the pleasant atmosphere we bring with us. And trust me, no one is going to complain if that atmosphere includes a light scent of lavender or citrus.

You Don’t Need to Spend a Fortune: Affordable Fragrance and Simple Style

If you’re worried about the cost of smelling good, don’t be.

Deodorants are no longer the luxury items they once were.

These days, for the price of a cheap meal, you can get a deodorant or body spray that will
last you weeks.

It’s the little things, like smelling fresh and looking neat, that make a big difference in how people receive you.

Imagine you're on campus evangelism duty. You've got your Bible in one hand, tracts in the other, and you're ready to share the Word.

But when you knock on a comrade’s door, they hesitate to open it.

It’s not because of the Gospel—they love the message—but they haven’t yet recovered from the olfactory trauma of your last visit.

Don't let a simple thing like scent close doors that the Gospel is meant to open!

Smell Good, Look Good, Feel Good: A Recipe for Winning Souls

When people say, "It's not about the clothes, it's about the power," they’re only half right.

Yes, the power of the message is what saves souls, but packaging matters.

Imagine a perfume ad.

The bottle design, the celebrity endorsement, the fancy music—it all contributes to
making you want to buy it, even before you’ve taken a whiff.

That’s what a good presentation does. It draws people in, makes them curious, and opens their
hearts to receive what’s inside.

Now, combine that with a message so powerful, so life-changing, and you’ve got a winning combination.

Imagine showing up to minister looking sharp, smelling fresh, and speaking with the anointing.

That’s like serving a gourmet meal on fine china instead of a paper plate. People will
sit up, pay attention, and most importantly, they’ll listen to what you have to say.

Don't Fall for the “It’s Only About Power” Trap

Some people believe that if you have enough anointing, you can wear anything and still draw a crowd. They’ll tell you that what really matters is what’s inside, not outside.

But let’s face it—there’s nothing spiritual about bad hygiene or unkempt clothes. Even the most powerful messages can be lost if people can’t focus on anything beyond the fact that you smell like yesterday’s leftovers.

The Bible says our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

That renewal shouldn’t just be internal; it should show on the outside too.

God isn’t just interested in your spirit—He wants you to represent Him well in every area of your life. And that includes your wardrobe, your grooming, and yes, your scent.

Final Thoughts: The Gospel, Neatly Packaged

You don’t need to spend a fortune or dress in luxury to spread the Gospel effectively.

What you need is a little attention to detail, a small investment in personal hygiene, and a bit
of care in how you present yourself.

The message you carry is priceless, so why present it in anything less than the best package you can afford?

So before you head out to preach, take a good look in the mirror.

Are you ready to represent the Kingdom?

Do you smell fresh, look neat, and carry yourself with the dignity that befits a messenger of the Most
High?

If not, it might be time for a quick stop at the nearest store to pick up some deodorant and a clean shirt.

Trust me, your audience—and your ministry—will thank you.

In the end, it's not about vanity—it's about respect.

Respect for yourself, respect for your message, and respect for the people you're trying to reach.

Let the Gospel be heard without distractions, and let your packaging be as inviting as the message you're bringing.

When you smell good and look good, people won’t just hear the message—they’ll want to listen.