What will you do with the breath GOD has given you?
To guard the breath GOD has given us is both a responsibility and a privilege. At the beginning of life, one of the most significant signs a physician looks for in a newborn is the cry; the evidence that the child has taken its first breath.
That breath signals life. Yet the greater question is not merely whether we are breathing, but what we are doing with the breath GOD has given us. Genesis 2:7 tells us that GOD formed man from the dust and breathed into him the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
Our existence began with divine breath. Therefore, the breath we carry was never given merely for self-preservation; it was given for GOD.
- Breath is for Life—to live for GOD. The essence of man is to live for the One who gave him life. If we spend GOD-given breath pursuing everything except GOD, we have misunderstood its purpose. Job declared, “The SPIRIT of GOD hath made me, and the breath of the ALMIGHTY hath given me life” (Job 33:4). Physical breath sustains our earthly existence, while through CHRIST we receive spiritual life by the HOLY SPIRIT.
- Breath is for Understanding. GOD gives life, wisdom, creativity, and inspiration. Therefore, every genuine gift should ultimately lead us back to the Giver. Our inspiration should deepen our understanding of GOD, not merely enlarge our achievements. The question is not only, “What have you created?” but, “What has your life helped you understand about GOD?”
- Breath is for Dependence. Job 34:14–15 reminds us that if GOD were to withdraw HIS SPIRIT and breath, all flesh would perish. Daniel 5:23 declares that our very breath is in HIS hand, while Psalm 150:6 commands, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.” Every breath is therefore an invitation to dependence, worship, and surrender.
- Breath is for Restoration and Rebirth. In Ezekiel 37:9, breath enters the dry bones and they live. In John 20:22, JESUS breathes on HIS disciples and says, “Receive ye the HOLY GHOST.” GOD’S breath brings life where death has prevailed and empowers HIS people for HIS purposes.
So, guard what you exhale. Let your words give life, not corruption (Ephesians 4:29). Confess sin quickly, surrender yourself afresh to GOD, and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to fill you (1 John 1:9; Ephesians 5:18). Guard what enters your heart, cultivate quietness before GOD, and let Scripture shape your thoughts and speech. You have been given breath, but the question remains: Will you spend GOD’S breath building a life HE never breathed upon, or will you surrender every breath to the ONE who gave it?
