WHAT'S THAT SMELL???!!! (Toxic Things We Choose on Purpose?)

Hey Everyone,

As I'm sitting here writing this, I have not just one, but two scented jar candles burning on the other side of the room. You see, fragrance and candles happen to be two of my guilty pleasures. However, lately I have been reading and listening to several presentations that say candles, fragrances, and fragranced items are bad for your health.

I've tried flameless candles, but I find the flicker of a real live flame to be much more comforting (makes me think of Pentecost and the flames of the Holy Spirit,) and I've tried going without scent, but I just feel like something is... missing. Other sources will say certain kinds of candles are healthier (soy, pure beeswax, etc.,) but if I can be honest, I go with what I can afford (and usually find on sale,) which usually isn't the most health-expert-approved.

I understand that some experts will say I am choosing to inhale toxic chemicals (to lessen this, I always have the windows open when I burn candles,) but it's something I have yet to give up. I guess I try to tell myself that mankind has been living by fire for thousands of years, so what difference do a few little candles make! There are times when certain fragrances do give me headaches so I cut them out, and of course, if I were around anyone who was sensitive, I would have to cut back or eliminate whatever was bothering them.

But along with candles, I also choose to use scented lotions, sprays, and hair products throughout the day, and there are countless articles telling us we should not be slathering these chemicals all over our skin.

I am always contemplating what balance should look like within the Christian life. God wants us to take care of our bodies... So what are the lines between taking care of ourselves as temples of His Spirit, and yet enjoying these small things that are possibly detrimental?

I am curious as to how other Christians feel about this, especially since we live in a world in which everything is either already declared toxic, or next in line for being labeled as such.

Some other examples might include:

* Incense, fragrance cones, oils, waxes, and air fresheners.

* Those little scented cardboard trees we dangle from the rear-view mirrors of our vehicles.

* Perfume, cologne, after shaves, lotions, and scented products we use on our face, bodies, and hair.


What about in your own life?

* How do you feel about exposing yourself to things like flames (purely for recreation) and scents?

* Have/are you trying to eliminate them from your life and what tips do you have for doing so?

* Do you feel that God would see using these product as sinning (choosing to expose yourself to possibly harmful substances?)


This thread is definitely not meant for anyone to try to tell someone else what they should or should not do. I was just wondering how other Christians feel about such products for themselves and their families, and what their experiences have been, especially if they have had health issues, and have had to change their routines. For example, does a parent who has had cancer now change both their own and their familie's routines when it comes to such products?

I'm just a Christian gal who loves sweet-smelling things, and was wondering how/if others enjoy these things while finding a healthy Christian balance.

Don't mean to be contrary, but I don't much care for heavy scents and strong perfumes. Smoke and flames are another story, but only if the thing burning is paper/wood/leaves... i.e. tree based. And those little green christmas tree things hanging from the rearview mirror always makes me wonder if there's a body in the trunk.

A smell of very little perfume as a woman passes by can be quite pleasant, mysterious even, but a drenching waft of the same can make my eyes water.

And every time somebody's house is burning candles or incense, they always collectively smell like a Cracker Barrel to me.
So, I'm sure you smell quite nice SS, but I'm guessing you don't need any enhancements. I don't really think it's a sin in any way unless you're using perfume to blind everybody.

I have to confess, ever I saw the movie "Seven" with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman -- in which a body actually IS involved -- I can't think of anything else whenever I see those little air freshener trees.

I would post a picture, but it might not be seen as appropriate and anyone who's seen the movie surely has that image burned into the back of their mind.


Scent as a weapon!

Though I'm sure we've all been around people with, um... less than pleasant odors... who could surely knock a grown man over.


P.S. Great avatar, Bees!

I'm with 17. I'm not big on smells or burning stuff.

I have my own detrimental thing I stick with though. A gallon jug of homemade boiled custard or a big pot of homemade pudding is always in my fridge.

I'm not a fan of scents. But I say if you are, go for it and don't worry about it, just enjoy it. I can't stand it when my wife puts on some perfume, but I don't say anything. Fortunately she doesn't do that often.

I would look up recipes for essential oils and get a diffuser for the scents.
Then you can burn plain wax candles. Just make sure the wicks are lead free.
You can also easily make your own. Canning wax blocks should be on sale soon.

I enjoy burning candles as well. I like flowery scents. I also like febreze sprays. They are nice to have. I don't think it's a sin, like many things we use or even eat can be harmful but we still use them. Your are not using them to hurt yourself or to worship an idol or something. If you are burning a candle it's probably for scent or even flame....that's not a sin.

I'm really touched that people are taking the time to put such care into their posts. This is definitely a thread that could easily be dismissed as frivolous and needless, but one of the reasons I started it is because I had recently had women's preventative healthcare checkup.

I was wondering if any of the ladies out there have gone through female cancers and were told to avoid these kinds of products, and if so, how it affects their families. For instance, would she then prevent her kids from using aftershaves and scented products?

I want you all to know that I'm reading each post and taking each suggestion to heart, and I greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Thank you!

I had covid a few years ago and my sense of smell has never been right since, so sweet incense would probably smell like a pair of old socks to me..

Sorry to hear that... I've known a couple of people whose sense of smell/taste was greatly affected by The Ailment of Which They Tell Us Not To Speak.

Hope that God grants you a full recovery in time!

Can I also give a round of applause to the fact that so many guys have been willing to answer a thread that's basically about scented candles and perfume?!

Kudos to you gentlemen.

Yes I too have this problem. My smells are not like they once were. Bread is the biggest thing for me. It tastes and smells strange at first.

Someone out there is gonna tell you that everything you're doing is harmful, then if you change it someone else will tell you that that's also harmful.. lol I'll take my chances. I personally love walking into a house and it smells like crisp apples picked on the 3rd week of Autumn from the orchards in Elijay Georgia on a misty morning.

It sure does beat the smell of gym socks, unwashed bed lines, and dirty dishes in the sink.

Not criticizing anyone who might regularly deal with those kinds of smells in their house, especially if they are raising teenagers...

I'm oddly sensitive to both strong smells and bad smells -- either one can give me extreme nausea and severe headaches -- so I try prefer to try to keep things clean and moderately sweet-smelling whenever I can.

I like certain scents, and others not so much.

I do burn incense and candles at times. Usually, cinnamon, or cinnamon apple, or lavender. I really like cinnamon-scented pine cones, but I have never used any in my home. I do like smelling them in stores though. I also like the smell of pine needles on trees.

I do wear cologne every day, but I do not bathe myself in it. Just enough for me to smell, and for someone else to smell if they get close enough to me. My cologne taste is usually more in the musk range, and I am not into smelling like a flower. Normally, I use Brit by Burberry, Calvin Klein's Obsession for men, or Drakkar Noir.

I never use car fresheners, and I rarely ever use air freshener sprays, but, occasionally, I will use either a cinnamon apple or lavender scented one.

When it comes to women and perfume, I really do not like anything overpowering. Just something subtle. Again, preferably something more in a musky scent than a flowery scent.

I'm taking notes on all the guys and will be rescinding some man cards.

That's pretty smart, actually. In the words of someone wiser than I, "Perfume should be discovered, not announced."

Ha, and here I was about to pass out bonus points because I love it when a guy smells clean and masculine at the same time.

Ironically, the majority of guys I've complimented on their "cologne" have said they were just wearing Original Old Spice deodorant.

I know a lot of people might say, "EWW, Old Spice reminds me of my dad/grandpa," but for some reason, I'm a sucker for the classic scents.

I also love that several of the guys here have gone into specifics about what scents they like on women as well as on themselves.

And isn't it funny how different scents either blend with or repel different people's unique chemistry.

I once had a friend bring me an expensive bottle of designer perfume from an overseas trip, but sadly, it literally smelled about as appealing as Deep Woods Off -- on me.

Fortunately, I had a co-worker who loved it and it was lovely on her, so it was a no-brainer to pass it on to her.

Men should smell nice and masculine. And they should talk about scents with their significant other. And Old Spice is classic. But if you are willing to speak to the issue publicly, you might as well express your affinity to choose curtains and duvet covers. And sorry, but that disqualifies one from holding a man card.

I wish that I could tell you that somebody else has gotten close enough to smell my cologne recently, but I am not exactly "top of the charts" right now.

There are a couple of women at work who like me, and they both seem to be quite nice. I have considered possibly asking either one of them out, but I probably will not. I prefer for relationships to develop naturally, and they have definitely shown interest, but I am kind of in a holding pattern at the moment. There is a third woman at work who seems to like me (I need to be sure before possibly proceeding), and I do find her attractive. I see something in her personality that seems to indicate a kind and loving heart, but, then again, I am really not into relationships with co-workers. If they go sour, then things could get very uncomfortable.

For now, it is just me and my cologne, and we are happy together.

I think that I might light some incense now, too.

In all seriousness, my life is so simple that I truly do appreciate the simple pleasures of life, and, for me, nice scents are pleasurable.