The word used in Holy Scripture for Holy Spirit is pneuma. It is also translated as wind. Wind and Holy Spirit are
interchangeable when we read Holy Scripture. In some translations you will
read:
The
earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and
the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. - Genesis 1:2
In other translations Spirit
of God or Holy Spirit will be
translated as a mighty wind.
Pneuma has another translation that I prefer over spirit or
wind. It is breath. The Holy Spirit
is the Breath of God.
The
earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and
the Breath of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
And
suddenly there came from heaven a noise like the Breath of God, and it filled
the whole house where they were sitting. - Acts 2:2
What happens when you pass your breath across your vocal
cords? Sound is created. If you use your mouth to manipulate this sound words
can be formed. In a metaphorical sense what happens when God passes his Holy
Breath across his vocal cords?
In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He
was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and
apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was
life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and
the darkness did not comprehend it. – John 1: 1-4
From the Father came forth the Holy Breath and he uttered
one Word – Jesus.
Father → Holy Breath → Word → All Creation
Wind is the movement of air. Movement is the action of the
substance. The substance of wind is air, therefore, we can think of air as
being the very Breath of God.
Then
the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a living being. - Genesis 2:7
God breathed into man the Holy Spirit, the pneuma. As long
as I have breath within me I have life. When I cease to take in breath I die.
Pneuma = Wind =
Breath = Holy Spirit = Life
I am surrounded by and filled with the Breath of God. I can
use this Breath to give God all glory, honor, and praise due to him and give
blessings to all of his creation. Or, I can use the Breath of God within me to
curse, chastise, belittle, or complain. All of these are bore on the Breath of
God put within me by God himself.
Words have power. They are more than just mere utterances.
Words have power because they are formed and carried by the Breath of God. Bad
words can wound deeper than arrows flung by a toxophilite. At the same time words can heal better than
the most skilled doctor. Choose your words wisely. Recognize the power that
carries them forth. Honor God in the way that you use his Holy Breath.
