“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

There is currently a song on the radio that has a lyric that I keep mulling over in my mind. The chorus starts,

“It’s Your breath in our lungs…”

Genesis 2:7 confirms that it is the breath of God in our lungs. His breath gave us, humans formed from dust, life. The chorus goes on to say “…so we pour out our praise to You only.”

His breath gave us, humans formed from dust, life. #quietlythrough #quietlyreminded Click To Tweet

It’s a lovely lyric. It’s one my favorite songs to sing during worship service or to belt out at the top of my lungs while listening in the car. I love the idea of using my God-given breath to praise and worship the breath Giver.

But the truth…

The truth is I don’t use my breath for praise and worship only. I often use my breath for other far less holy things. Here is just a few:

• Snapping at my kids
• Disrespecting my husband
• Complaining about co-workers
• Cursing
• Lying
• Self-promotion

James 3:9-10 says “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”  These verses are referring to the untamable tongue, but without the breath that the Lord gave us, the tongue would not make a sound.

With my breath I find myself both praising God and tearing down my fellow human beings.

This should not be.

With my breath I find myself both praising God and tearing down my fellow human beings. This should not be. #quietlythrough Click To Tweet

I was given — we were given breath to praise our Creator. Every word that passes our lips should be spoken to given Him glory and honor and praise.

Yes, every word!

Because every word that is spoken in love, every word that is spoken with patience and kindness, every word that encourages or gently corrects does give glory and honor and praise to Him.

These words — this breath fulfills His will for our lives: to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; and love others as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

Lord, it’s your breath in my lungs. It is your breath that gives me life and I give it humble back to you. I confess that I do not use your breath correctly. I use it to both give you praise and curse others. This should not be. This is sin. I confess it as sin — sin that your Son died for. I trust that you forgive me and will cleanse me. Please cleanse me! I want to be cleansed. I want the breath in my lungs to pour out praise to you only…in my home, with my children and my husband, at work, at church and everywhere in between. It’s your breath in my lungs. I pour out my praise to you only. Make it so, God! Make it so. In the name of your Son I pray. Amen. 

Friends,

This post was written while reading quietly through God’s Word. A few ladies and I just started (again) Quietly Through the Bible: two-year reading plan. Want to join us?

Only by grace,

Kelli

This post was originally published in January 4, 2018 and was updated February 20, 2023. The original publishing included a blog linkup, which is not longer available.

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