Few things are as relaxing as going out in nature, up into the mountains, or down by the lake, and taking in the nice crisp autumn air. Few things excite the way smelling a Christmas tree in early winter. The smell of a little firewood burning on a campfire can take you back in time to when you were camping as a child, maybe taking your first fishing trip by canoe. Not doubt about it, a day outside in nature, inhaling fresh, clean air, brings remarkable changes to the body, detoxifying the lungs and blood, providing rich oxygen, and removing excess carbon dioxide.
Of course, it is possible to do harm to our bodies by inhaling things that are not good for us. Many people, hopefully not you or your loved ones, choose to smoke cigarettes, cigars and marijuana. I am not against the medicinal use of marijuana in some cases but there are ways to use it that don’t involve smoking to get therapeutic effects without harming one’s lungs. Many people solely use drugs to smoke only to get high or to quell cravings. This is not healthy. Smoking damages your lungs tremendously. I’ve seen statistics that 1 in 2 people that smoke will die from smoking related causes such as cancer if they do not quit. Vaping isn’t any better. It can lead to things such as popcorn lung.
Of course, many people don’t smoke. But did you know that there are high levels of pollution in many homes, even if you live in the country? Air purifiers can help, but please research which types are the best because some purifiers can actually damage lungs. But where does this pollution come from? Well, simply put, we should be airing out our houses by opening our windows daily as much as possible unless the outside air is harmful, such as if we live in a very polluted city. Then, an air filter may actually be warranted. Houseplants also can help to clean the air. Things that harm us are things such as mold from excess humidity, cleaning products such as bleach, fragrances such as perfumes that aren’t natural, air fresheners, etc, and other products that are heavily scented with unnatural ingredients. There are so many toxic chemicals that many people use in their houses daily that they have never thought twice about. Not only in their homes, but directly in contact with their skin as well. We absorb things through our skin so we must think about the products we use each day.
What does the bible have to say about fresh, clean air? Well, you might be surprised!
First off, when God created man, He did something special that He didn’t do with any other creation. He breathed into Adam the very breath of life. It says in Genesis:
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
This means God was the first to give life giving breathes to His children. This must be significant. God wants us to be healthy, to be His holy temples, and to do so we must take in clean air so we don’t pollute or defile the temple that is in us.
In Ezekiel God talks about life and ties it with breathing. He talks about bringing life back to the Israelites. We are the modern Israelites, those who accept Jesus Christ, and He is saying He will bring this nation back to Him and back to life again. He says:
“The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”” Ezekiel 37:1-14
This is a promise to us today!
After Jesus rose from the dead, He used his breath to breathe on his apostles and told them to “Receive the Holy Spirit”. John 20:22
Numerous times the bible equates breathing to life. It’s impossible to live without breathing. The bible also tells us time and time again, that our very breath comes from God Himself. Over 50 times the bible talks about the breath that we breathe. God calls this the breath of life. Without it we die.
“You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.” Psalm 104:29-30
The bible talks about how those who follow God are like the wind. It says the following:
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
We may not understand the changes made in the lives of those who have devoted their lives to God if we ourselves are not devoted to Him. This may be the wind that is spoken of in this text. The Holy Spirit comes to us and does as it wishes, coming and going from one person to the next, changing us. Those that can’t perceive the Spirit can still see its effect on the hearts of men but may not know where it came from or where it’s leading.
Most importantly, we are called to use our breath to minister to others and to God Himself. We are to praise Him loudly and boldly. We are to be thankful for each breath that He gives.
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” Psalm 150:6
“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:1-2
“Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in his mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!” Psalm 150:1-2
“All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Psalm 66:4
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.” Psalm 148: 1-5
There are certainly many more verses that indicate that we should praise the LORD. How can we do so with strong voice if our lungs are damaged from years of abuse and pollution? Certainly, fresh air isn’t just vital for life itself, but for our God given directive to praise the LORD and to keep His temple which is within us Holy and fit for His Holy Spirit to reside in us. No one wants to abide inside a house that is full of smelly, old, dirty air!
Blessings to you as you read this lesson. If you find yourself feeling called out by this post, do not feel ashamed. We all fail and make mistakes. But start now to make changes for the better. I’m rooting for you!
Biblical Health And Wellness 