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1. THE “BREATH OF LIFE” AND THE “BREATH OF THE SOUL”

a. What is the “breath of life” that Adam received from God? Genesis 2:7.

“In God we live, and move, and have our being. Each heartbeat, each breath, is the inspiration of Him who breathed into the nostrils of Adam the breath of life—the inspiration of the ever-present God, the great I AM.”—Medical Ministry, p. 9.

b. What is the “breath of the soul”? Luke 11:1.

“Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved.”—Gospel Workers, pp. 254, 255.

c. What was the prophet Daniel’s custom regarding prayer? Daniel 6:10.

d. What does it mean to pray without ceasing? 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

“Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God.”—Steps to Christ, p. 98.

“While engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to heaven in prayer.”—Gospel Workers, p. 254.

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2. BREATHING CORRECTLY

a. What can we do to strengthen our lungs? Isaiah 42:5.

“Walk with a cheerful mind. And as you walk, look at the beauties of nature.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 172.

“When the weather will permit, all who can possibly do so ought to walk in the open air every day, summer and winter. But the clothing should be suitable for the exercise, and the feet should be well protected. A walk, even in winter, would be more beneficial to the health than all the medicine the doctors may prescribe. For those who can walk, walking is preferable to riding. The muscles and veins are enabled better to perform their work. There will be increased vitality, which is so necessary to health. The lungs will have needful action; for it is impossible to go out in the bracing air of a winter’s morning without inflating the lungs.”—Counsels on Health, p. 52.

“Encourage [the sick patients] to breathe the fresh air. Teach them to breathe deeply, and in breathing and speaking to exercise the abdominal muscles. This is an education that will be invaluable to them.”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 264, 265.

b. What can happen when our respiration is not sufficient, either physically or spiritually? Psalm 146:4.

“Stomach, liver, lungs, and brain are suffering for the want of deep, full inspirations of air, which would electrify the blood and impart to it a bright, lively color, and which alone can keep it pure and give tone and vigor to every part of the living machinery.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 67, 68.

c. How does God want us to cooperate with Him in allowing our skin also to breathe? Exodus 19:14.

“If the garments worn are not frequently cleansed, . . . the pores of the skin absorb again the waste matter thrown off. The impurities of the body, if not allowed to escape, are taken back into the blood and forced upon the internal organs.

“Many are ignorantly injuring their health and endangering their lives by using cosmetics. . . . When they become heated, . . . the poison is absorbed by the pores of the skin and is thrown into the blood. Many lives have been sacrificed by this means alone.”—Healthful Living, p. 189.

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3. PURE AIR VERSUS CONTAMINATED AIR

a. What type of environment is the best in which to recuperate your health? Luke 2:8.

“To many of those living in the cities who have not a spot of green grass to set their feet upon, who year after year have looked out upon filthy courts and narrow alleys, brick walls and pavements, and skies clouded with dust and smoke—if these could be taken to some farming district, surrounded with the green fields, the woods and hills and brooks, the clear skies and the fresh, pure air of the country, it would seem almost like heaven. . . .

“Through nature they would hear [God’s] voice speaking to their hearts of His peace and love, and mind and soul and body would respond to the healing, life-giving power.”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 191, 192.

b. What type of environment is among the worst for health? Nahum 2:4.

“The noise and excitement and confusion of the cities . . . are most wearisome and exhausting to the sick. The air, laden with smoke and dust, with poisonous gases, and with germs of disease, is a peril to life.”—Ibid., p. 262.

c. What is one of the main causes of death today?

“Women and children suffer from having to breathe the atmosphere that has been polluted by the pipe, the cigar, or the foul breath of the tobacco user. Those who live in this atmosphere will always be ailing.

“The infant lungs suffer and become diseased by inhaling the atmosphere of a room poisoned by the tobacco user’s tainted breath. . . .

“The bereaved parents mourn the loss of their loved ones, and wonder at the mysterious providence of God which has so cruelly afflicted them, when Providence designed not the death of these infants. They died martyrs to filthy lust for tobacco. Every exhalation of the lungs of the tobacco slave, poisons the air about him.”—Temperance, pp. 58, 59.

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4. NIGHT AIR

a. How can we enjoy fresh air and sleep well even in a cold climate? Proverbs 3:24.

“Many have been taught from childhood that night air is positively injurious to health and therefore must be excluded from their rooms. To their own injury they close the windows and doors of their sleeping apartments to protect themselves from the night air which they say is so dangerous to health. In this they are deceived. In the cool of the evening it may be necessary to guard from chilliness by extra clothing, but they should give their lungs air. . . .

“God has provided for His creatures air to breathe for the day, and the same, made a little cooler, for the night. In the night it is not possible for you to breathe anything but night air. . . . Many are suffering from disease because they refuse to receive into their rooms at night the pure night air. The free, pure air of heaven is one of the richest blessings we can enjoy.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 527, 528.

b. What caution should we take when using any type of heating unit?

“The heated air coming from a stove is injurious, and were it not for the air coming in at the crevices of the windows, would be poisonous and destroy life. Stove heat destroys the vitality of the air, and weakens the lungs. . . . Sick persons are debilitated by disease, and need all the invigorating air that they can bear to strengthen the vital organs to resist disease.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 305.

c. What should be done during the day in order to prepare the bedroom for a good night’s rest?

“The clothing should be removed piece by piece from the bed, and exposed to the air. The windows should be opened, the blinds fastened back, and the air allowed to circulate freely for several hours, if not all day, through the sleeping apartments. In this manner the bed and clothing will become thoroughly aired, and the impurities will be removed from the room.”—Counsels on Health, p. 58.

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5. A PURE ENVIRONMENT

a. What are the main benefits of pure, fresh air?

“Bring to your aid the power of the will, which will resist cold and will give energy to the nervous system. In a short time you will so realize the benefit of exercise and pure air that you would not live without these blessings.”—Child Guidance, pp. 339, 340.

“The influence of pure, fresh air is to cause the blood to circulate healthfully through the system. It refreshes the body and tends to render it strong and healthy.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 104.

b. How long can you live without breathing? What would happen if we did not have daily communion with God? Acts 17:24, 25; John 15:5.

“The breathing of pure air is essential for the cure of disease. And it is no less essential that the atmosphere we breathe in the spiritual life shall be pure. This is essential for a healthy growth in grace. Breathe the pure atmosphere which produces pure thoughts and noble words. Choose Christian society. The Christian will not have spiritual health unless he is guarded in regard to his associations.”—The Upward Look, p. 174.

c. What environment should be chosen to ensure physical and spiritual health? Psalm 119:37.

“For the health and vitality of the soul, the divine Physician has prescribed communion with Himself.”—Ibid.

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REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

a. Why is prayer compared to breathing?

b. Why is it good to exercise in the open air?

c. What health problems are directly related to city living?

d. What steps can be taken to promote more refreshing sleep?

e. How long can we live without air? What spiritual lesson does this teach?