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Be inspired by God. Take in God’s Word, for it is infused with the breath of life. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, [and] for instruction in righteousness.”
Inspired literally means in-breathed. Like most Christians I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. The scriptures were breathed into by God. That is to say they have the breath of God inside of them.
When God breathes into something it comes alive. In scripture the first time we see God breathing is in Genesis chapter 2. God formed a man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into him, and he became a living soul. And just as Adam received the breath of God, when we take in God’s breath through his Word we also come alive.
The opposite of inspire (in-breathed) is expired (out-breathed). When we have no breath we die. As Christians we must take in God’s breath or we spiritually die. We begin to focus on ourselves instead of others. We fall into temptation. We get puffed up with pride. We complain against God.
This is in part what happened to the Children of Israel. They began to complain against God, looking to their own desires, complaining about how God wasn’t meeting their needs even while they were receiving manna day by day. God’s presence was manifest with them day by day in the cloud by day and the fire by night, yet they still sinned.
1 Corinthians 10 says the stories of the children of Israel in the Old Testament were given to us in the New Testament church as an example and as a warning. We should take heed, the Word says, that while we think we stand, we are susceptible to falling into sin, just as they did. But we can be encouraged that “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (vs 13).
It’s saying that the inspired word of God is our means of escape. When we are tempted or struggling go to the scriptures, for the living Word working in you is the means of escape for you to overcome temptation.
When you are facing trials or temptations, look to the scriptures, for in them you will find life and the means to overcome temptation. Be encouraged in them. Learn from the example of those who have gone before us. And allow God’s Holy Spirit, the breath of God to move inside you.