Brandon Lake - I Need A Ghost Lyrics
Lyrics
VERSE 1
I don’t need the smoke or mirrors
‘Cause I know there’s a God who’s real
I don’t need the lights to fool me
‘Cause I have seen the God who heals
PRE CHORUS
I know when I ask I’ll receive it
‘Cause You’re not a God who withholds
I hear You say just believe me
CHORUS
I need a Holy Ghost, awaken in my soul
I need a love that glows, rattling my bones till the evidence shows
I need a Holy Ghost, awaken in my soul
I need a heart on fire that’ll never grow tired wherever I go
I need a Holy, Holy Ghost, I need a Ghost
Holy, Holy, Ghost, I need a Ghost
VERSE 2
I don’t need a counterfeit comfort
‘Cause nothing in this world remains
I need something stronger than lightning
Flowing inside of these veins
BRIDGE
You’re the fire I can’t even explain it
It’s like I’m bursting with a heavenly language
Every time I get a taste I know
I just want more, I just want more
You’re the kingdom that’s been growing inside me
It’s like a lion’s roar that wants to revive me
Every time I get a taste I know I just want more
Written by Brandon Lake and Josh Silverberg
Video
I Need A Ghost - Brandon Lake | House of Miracles [Official Music Video]
Meaning & Inspiration
Brandon Lake's song "I Need A Ghost," released with its official music video on July 24, 2020, from the album *House of Miracles*, cuts straight to a core truth about the Christian walk: our utter dependency on the Holy Spirit. This is not a gentle request for a little bit of help, but a desperate, urgent cry for divine intervention, recognizing that without the active power and presence of God, our faith is hollow and our efforts are futile. The song articulates a hunger that goes beyond intellectual understanding or past spiritual experiences, expressing a present and continuous need for the Spirit's life, power, and guidance in every aspect of life.
The "Ghost" referred to in the title, understood within the context of Christian theology and traditional language (like the King James Bible's "Holy Ghost"), is none other than the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The song's raw declaration, "I need a Ghost," serves as a modern anthem echoing the biblical narrative from the very beginning of the church. Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the "promise of the Father," explicitly identified as the Holy Spirit, assuring them they would receive power when the Spirit came upon them, enabling them to be His witnesses (Acts 1:4-8). This was not optional; it was essential for fulfilling their calling. Similarly, this song posits that for believers today, the Holy Spirit isn't a theological concept or a historical event from Pentecost, but a vital necessity for living a life that honors God and impacts the world. Without the Spirit, we lack the power to overcome our weaknesses, to truly love as Christ loved, or to understand and live out God's truth. As Paul writes in Romans 8:9-11, anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him, and it is the Spirit who gives life to our mortal bodies. The song captures the heart cry for this indispensable life source.
The intensity in the music and vocal delivery underscores the depth of this need. It's not a casual desire but an acknowledgment that we are spiritually bankrupt without divine aid. This stands in stark contrast to self-sufficiency or relying solely on religious rituals or traditions. The message aligns deeply with the biblical principle found in Zechariah 4:6, which states that God's work is accomplished "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit." The song bypasses superficial faith, challenging people to confront their need for genuine spiritual power and presence operating within them. It’s a call to move from simply knowing *about* God to experiencing His tangible presence and power through the indwelling Spirit, who serves as our helper, counselor, and teacher (John 14:16-17, 26). This yearning for the Spirit is also a yearning for the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) – qualities that are not naturally produced by human will but cultivated by the divine presence within. The song encourages a posture of desperation and humility, recognizing that our spiritual vitality is completely dependent on God's continuous infilling and empowerment, a truth the Apostle Paul urged when he said, "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), implying a continuous action, not a one-time event. Ultimately, "I Need A Ghost" serves as a potent reminder that the Christian life is a supernatural one, only possible through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit actively at work within us, compelling us to seek Him daily for the strength, wisdom, and presence required to navigate life and fulfill our God-given purpose.