Breath of God

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.