Spirits: The Truth Behind the Name

I was in the studio with a well-known producer, grinding hard as an up-and-coming artist. I played him my latest track, expecting feedback on my flow, my wordplay—something about the music itself.

Instead, he gave me a requirement:

Not suggested. Required.

I asked why. His answer?

That moment stuck with me. Why was the industry pushing alcohol in music so hard?

I started digging… and what I found changed my entire perspective.

The Three Types of Alcohol

Alcohol is commonly divided into three categories:

• Beer – Made by fermenting cereal grains like barley, beer is one of the oldest recorded beverages, dating back to ancient civilizations.

• Wine – Created by fermenting grapes or other fruits, wine has been deeply intertwined with religious and cultural traditions throughout history.

• Spirits – The strongest of the three, spirits (or distilled liquor) are produced by boiling fermented liquids to extract a concentrated form of alcohol. This includes whiskey, vodka, rum, and more.

While beer and wine have long histories rooted in social and religious traditions, spirits stand apart—not just in potency, but in name.

Why Are They Called "Spirits"?

I started wondering: Why is hard liquor called "spirits"?

The origins of this term are more unsettling than I expected:

• Ancient alchemists believed distillation extracted the "spirit" of a substance, capturing its essence in liquid form.

• Many cultures associated drinking spirits with opening portals to the supernatural, believing these beverages could influence the mind and body in powerful ways.

• Even today, we use phrases like "I was acting like I was possessed" after a night of heavy drinking.

And then the Bible hit me with this:

Two spirits. One fills you. The other controls you.

What the Bible Says About Alcohol

The Bible presents a complex view of alcohol.

Old Testament:

• Wine is often depicted as a symbol of joy and blessing: "He makes… wine that gladdens human hearts…" (Psalm 104:14-15).

• Wine was part of offerings in the temple (Numbers 15:5-10), showing its accepted role in worship and sacrifice.

New Testament:

• Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11).

• Wine was used in the Last Supper, symbolizing His blood in the New Covenant (Matthew 26:27-29).

• However, the Bible also warns against the dangers of alcohol: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; whoever is deceived thereby is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1)

It’s not that alcohol itself is evil, but rather the overindulgence that leads to deception, loss of control, and reckless behavior.

The Industry’s Alcohol Agenda

The more I researched, the more it made sense.

Alcohol alters consciousness. That’s why people call it "liquid courage." But it’s also why so many songs glorify drinking.

• 🎶 Jamie Foxx’s biggest hit? "Blame It on the Alcohol."

• 🏆 A Bar Song (Tipsy) got 4 Grammy nominations in 2025.

• 🥂 Almost every major party anthem promotes getting wasted.

Why? Because alcohol makes people:

• More impulsive

• Easier to manipulate

• More suggestible

This isn’t just entertainment. It’s programming.

The Bible warned us thousands of years ago:

It literally deceives you—makes you believe things that aren’t real. That’s the true power of spirits.

So next time someone says, "Let’s get drunk tonite," ask yourself:

What spirit am I actually letting in?

How to Guard Yourself Against Negative Influences

The Bible offers clear instructions:

It’s about spiritual authority. What are you allowing to influence your mind and body?

If you want to take back control, the key is discipline—over your choices, your influences, and your habits.

If you need help in that area I created a 40-day Challenge to help you build discipline in your body, mind, and spirit. It isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about real transformation through daily readings, action steps, and biblical wisdom.

Choose your format: Order the physical workbook for journaling and reflection, or get the digital version to start instantly.

That’s it for today

keep JOY, Stay disciplined