Recently, I learned the term “a skunk in the jury box”. When I heard it, I thought, ‘What does that mean?’ So, I did some investigation. I found that it is a term that pertains to inadmissible evidence. When a jury hears evidence that is inadmissible and the Judge instructs the jury to ignore the evidence or statements that they have heard, it is like a skunk in the jury box. Because if a skunk were thrown into that jury box, it would be impossible for the jury to pretend that they didn’t smell that skunk. This is very much the way it is impossible for that jury to truly un-hear what they have heard.

Our lives are pretty similar to that jury box. Things happen to us throughout our lives that affect who we are and how we view ourselves. And then, like that skunk in the jury box, we can’t un-smell those things that affected our lives.

Sometimes, our circumstances affect how we view ourselves. If we grew up poor or in a really dysfunctional family, it can take a toll on our self-esteem and the way we view ourselves. And that can affect the course of our lives.

Similarly, other people’s opinions of us can affect what we think of ourselves. Whether they are mean kids at school or a parent who says things that parents shouldn’t say to or about their children, those things can really affect our confidence and self-esteem. “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18.

Circumstances and words can take a significant toll on our feelings of self-worth. Those things can really hurt us. Therefore, they are like a skunk in the jury box. We can’t forget them. To one of my Pastors of old, “Our minds have no delete button.”

Because of those old wounds and scars, the very course of our lives can be affected.

The question is, who are we going to believe? Are we going to believe the sinners around us who say things carelessly, vengefully, and with harmful intent? Or, are we going to listen to our Heavenly Father who loves us?

Because the scripture says that we are wonderfully made. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” 1 Peter 2:9.

We are His workmanship and created with a purpose and a plan! And, once we know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we can begin to live out that plan. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10.

And, once Jesus becomes our Lord and Savior, God adopts us as His own precious children! “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” John 1:12.

Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” That doesn’t mean that people won’t oppose us. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have trials. And it doesn’t mean that we won’t get our feelings hurt.

What it does mean is, if the God of all of creation can call us His own beloved child, what can anyone else say that matters?!?!

We may not have a delete button. We may not be able to un-smell a skunk when people throw them into the jury box of our lives. But all those things that were said that hurt us and affected our self-esteem pale in comparison to the knowledge of who God says that I am.

I AM A CHILD OF GOD! “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” Galatians 3:26.

I AM A RESIDENT OF HEAVEN! The blood of Jesus secured my citizenship in heaven. “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior” Philippians 3:20.

And I AM FORGIVEN-N-LOVED! “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” Ephesians 2:4-5.

I AM THE SWEET AROMA OF CHRIST! “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15.

And that is the only aroma that can diminish the smell of a skunk in the jury box.

The knowledge of who our Heavenly Father says that we are in Christ is the only thing that can erase all those awful things that we once believed. And that knowledge is the only thing that can build us up, heal those old wounds, and help us overcome those past hurts.

But, the sad reality is, there is a world full of people who are walking around hurt, with old wounds and scars. There are people who lack self-esteem and may not even think that God would want a relationship with them. They believe they have no value (that was me, by the way).

But how beautiful is it that God wants to use us in their lives? He wants to take that sweet aroma of Christ that we have become and use it to diminish the smell of the skunk in the jury boxes of their lives too!

So, are we going to believe what God says about us? Will we be willing to tell this hurting world about what God has done for us? Will we let God work through us to heal the old wounds and scars of those around us who don’t know Him? Are we going to allow God to love them through us? Will we be that sweet aroma of Christ in their lives?

Because others need to hear about God’s love for them. And they need to know that He can heal those old wounds.

Father God, forgive us for listening to the lies of the enemy instead of You and Your Word. Forgive us for not recognizing that we are created in Your image. And forgive us for not telling others about who You are and all that You have done for us. Forgive us for not being that sweet aroma of Christ.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for the sacrifice that You made on our behalf. We thank You for paying the penalty that we couldn’t pay. Because of Your love and sacrifice, we can say, “I am a child of God!” We can say, “I am loved by God!” Thank you, Jesus.

Holy Spirit, help us to disregard the whispers of the enemy in our lives. Help that sweet aroma of Jesus to diminish the skunk in the jury box of our lives. Help us to be the sweet aroma of Jesus in the lives of others. We love You. We thank and praise You. And we pray this in Jesus’s precious and Holy name. Amen.

Do you have old wounds and scars left behind by hurtful things said and/or painful circumstances? Most of us do. Please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). When you get to this page, you will find a prayer outlined there. I implore you to pray that prayer. Because, through that prayer, God wants to forgive you and adopt you as His own precious child! He wants to have an intimate and loving relationship with you — one that will heal those old wounds and scars. He is the only one that can do it. Please pray. And, once you have, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you.

Luv Ya!