Breathing is the constant process of exhaling carbon dioxide and inhaling oxygen in the moment-by-moments of our physical life to stay alive and keep ourselves healthy. Breathing is essential. Breathe in and breathe out is all done by the lungs. Our heart receives oxygen from the lungs then pumps throughout the body. This takes life to our body. Then, the blood is returned back to the lungs with all the impurities that are hurtful to our body and the lung exhales carbon dioxide. This is fundamental to physical life.
A very similar process happens in spiritual living. Spiritual breathing is essential to our spiritual health. 1 John 1:9 explains what this looks like, 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Confession is the exhalation of the sin/impurities that we have allowed in our spiritual lives. It is breathing out the sins in our lives. Confess comes from two Greek words which mean “to speak the same about your sin as God does.” Inherent in confession is repentance. If you speak the same as about sin, there is a change within your mind to live as Christ wants you to live. Once you “exhale” through confession, you “inhale” forgiveness and purification. This brings the spiritual life needed for you to fellowship with the Lord. Without spiritual breathing, you cannot fellowship with our Holy God.
Christ has forgiven each of us past, present and future. We will never lose our relationship with God. However, our God greatly desires to fellowship in the moment-by-moments of life. Without spiritual breathing, it is impossible for a Holy God to commune with us. So, it is essential for us to breathe spiritually…constantly exhaling our sin though confession and inhaling forgiveness and cleansing.
1 John 1:7 reveals what our lives look like as we spiritually breathe, 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light (spiritually breathing), we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from allsin. Isn’t this a beautiful picture of a healthy spiritual walk?! Spiritual breathing allows us to walk in the light which allows us to enjoy his forgiveness and purity.
Don’t try to live spiritually without spiritual breathing. Spiritual breathing allows you to walk in fellowship throughout the day. What a beautiful, healthy life!
Barnabas Man 