Fruit of the Spirit Candles

I love candles, but this is getting downright silly.

I first came across religious (not biblical Christian) candles about a year ago, with "His Essence" candles. Yup, candles that bring Jesus' very presence into your home. But first you have to light the candle to call Him forth. You also need to set the right mood. Ugh. Is this the romantic notion that is spreading through many churches today---that Jesus is my boyfriend whom I keep falling in love with?? Perish the thought. What nonesense. Where's the reverence for the Lord?

Now I've stumbled across "Fruit of the Spirit" candles.

Want to know what Self-control SMELLS like? According to one distributor, "The sweet notes of blackberry are blended with dewfruit, osmanthus, rose, and Canadian fir to create this refreshing scent."

Patience: "Sweet melon notes are blended with herbal notes of lavender and topped with just a hint of smooth, creamy vanilla."

One wonders what the fruit of the flesh smells like.

Not to be outdone, the Jesus candles now have a line of lotions, so you wear His presence throughout the day.

I don't understand this thinking. Clearly this is competition with the Yankee type candles, but with a religious twist. Do these creators really think we can invoke a special presence of God or bring the fruit of the Spirit by lighting wax? I need to pay to get closer to the Lord? This seems Roman Catholic to me. Its quite far from what the Word says. Candles have nothing to do with the fruit of the Spirit nor the presence of God (we are children of Light, and Christ is the Light--Ephesians 5:8). Rather, being indwelled with the Holy Spirit and having Him conform us to the image of Christ Jesus is what brings fruit of the Spirit (Romans 8:29). The Word of God is what also helps us grow in maturity, love, and knowledge of truth.

The best thing we can do in our relationship with God is to study His Word, feed upon it, carefully consider it, pray about it, and obey it (Ps. 119).

Lighting a bunch of smelly wax just won't do that.

Whatever the motive (sincere as they might be) this is hardly biblical. More than that, it seems they are trying a gimmick to make money off the Lord and our relationship with Him. True Christians should consider this and refrain from feeding the monster.