The Purpose of Deodorant
Oct 9, 2022 1623
It’s important to understand the purpose of deodorant, and to use it correctly. I learnt this the hard way.
My parents were very strict, and they hardly ever allowed me to go on camps. And whenever there was a camp on, as a little kid, I wanted to go. That’s probably why I enjoy camping so much now.
The very first time I went camping was a weekend away with a group of kids from church. I think I was around ten years old. I was so excited because my parents had never given me permission to do anything like this before!
I remember being bundled into cars and being driven to where we were going to pitch our tents, around three hours away.
Along the way, it started raining… and raining… and raining. It was more than raining. It was bucketing down. So, the leaders of the camping trip decided on a change of plans. Someone’s relative had a house near where we were meant to be camping, and they decided to go there instead.
I didn’t know what was going on. The leaders didn’t want to disappoint us, so they told us that we would still be going camping, but that it would be a little different. In fact, the “camping” ended up being just laying our sleeping bags on the floor in this stranger’s living room.
But I was a real camper, and I was determined to try to have the full camping experience!
Among the things I had packed was a can of deodorant. At that age, I’d never actually used deodorant at all, but we had been given a list of camping “essentials” to bring along, so I had insisted that my parents buy me some deodorant. I didn’t even know how to use it.
I’m still annoyed that my deodorant was confiscated
Eventually, the adults turned the lights out for us to go to sleep. As I lay there in my sleeping bag, I realised that I could smell the other people, with all the bodies crammed together on the floor. And then I remembered the deodorant.
I got my torch out, found my can of deodorant, and gave it a good spray all over the place. After all, that was what deodorant was for, for body odours, wasn’t it?
I didn’t understand the purpose of deodorant
Immediately the gagging and the spluttering started around me, and the lights very quickly came on. I was quickly identified as the culprit and an adult in charge confiscated my can of deodorant in case I did it again.
To this day, almost fifty years later, I’m still very annoyed that they confiscated my can of deodorant. They never even gave it back! After all, how was I supposed to know that deodorant was meant for your own body odours and not other people’s?
It’s important to focus on my own stink than other people’s
I guess as an adult, there’s a lesson here. It’s important to focus more on my own stink than other people’s.
Or, in the words of Jesus,
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
I made the mistake with the deodorant as a little kid because I genuinely didn’t know better. But believe it or not, there are way too many adults who are spraying deodorant everywhere at other people today!
Being aware of your own weaknesses and failings is a fundamental part of developing self-awareness and growth. Most people have no awareness of themselves and how their words and actions impact others. Some people have a vague awareness that they dismiss and ignore. That’s why it’s all too easy for most people to judge and criticise others, and not look at themselves.
That’s how too many Christians use the Bible also. They quote spicy bits of it to point out the failings and sins of other people. I’m sure you’ve met people like that and haven’t been impressed.
Jesus said that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin (John 16:8.) Let God do his work in the hearts of others.
The Bible is like deodorant. It’s meant to be used on yourself. Otherwise, just like I did by spraying deodorant everywhere, you’ll just annoy everyone around you.
Joseph Nwankwo
Oct 10, 2022
If the Bible is meant to be used on ourselves, JESUS would not tell us to: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Thanks.
Amitava Mandi
Oct 9, 2022
Absolutely, the Bible which guides us to perfection of life what God wants us to being not bringing others into our criticism about faults as judgement but to spread and sprinkle our essence of love and affection as others may get inspiration in true happiness and joy of life.
Andrew
Oct 9, 2022
Love this word-picture and lesson.
Eliezer Gonzalez
Oct 13, 2022
Hi Joseph. I'm not sure what you are trying to say. Do you mean to say that the Bible is not relevant for ourselves, but only to be used on others? Grace and Peace, ELiezer