About Dreams

The Lord certainly does give dreams, but they must be rightly divided, otherwise, you can come to an incorrect conclusion.

Faithfullness

If you are faithful with the dreams God gives you, he will give you more. God will “grade you” on your performance in interpreting dreams. And he will expect you not to miss anything he has given you. Even a little nuance can have a very significant effect in the way a dream is interpreted.

The word of God

Dreams are subject to the word of God, and no dream can trump the word of God.

Writing your dreams down

It's good to get in the habit of writing your dreams down. Daniel wrote his dreams down. He's a good example to follow.

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed. Then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters. (Daniel 7:1)

Where or how to start writing

Obviously, when a person has a dream, they receive the entire dream. But upon waking, even though you have seen the entire dream, you have to start somewhere in terms of writing it down. And there really is a preferred starting place. That starting place is usually not that hard to find. Simply talk to the Lord and ask him where to begin. You may find you don’t have much choice, because “one thing” stands out prominently, upon waking. It just so happens that when that’s the case, that’s usually the place to start. It’s not that you cannot remember the entire dream. You easily can. But the Lord has highlighted a portion for you upon waking, in order to help you know where to start. This is typically how it works.

As you start writing, the Holy Spirit will unravel everything you have seen. And he may stop you at certain points, to make sure you don’t miss the symbolism. But you need to take it one step at a time.

Not all dreams are from God

Not all dreams come from God. Some arise out of your own thoughts, concerns, or desires. And it is possible to "manufacture" a "confirmation" of a job, for example, which is born entirely of your flesh. You can even confirm the date or timing of the "rapture" according to your own flesh — something that does not come from God at all. So because someone has a dream, does not guarantee that it is "God."

How then would you know?

In part, you would know in the same way that you know a sermon from the pulpit is from God. The dream is consisten with the word of God, and it exalts the name of Jesus, and not self. It is not self-seeking, but Jesus seeking.

Dreams need to be discerned

Merely having a dream does not confirm it is from God. God can speak through a preacher. So can the devil! God can speak through a dream. So can the devil! Both preachers, and dreams, need to be discerned. God can and will give you wisdom in discerning dreams if you ask for it.

Where are dreams projected?

The place you receive dreams is called (for lack of better term), "the backdrop of your mind". This is the place where dreams are projected. It is like a movie screen. The movie screen itself is inert, meaning it is neither good nor bad. It is just a movie screen. But what is projected on that screen can be good or bad.

The promise of dreams in the Old Testament

“It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit." (Joel 2:28-29)

The promise of dreams in the New Testament

"It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy." (Acts 2:17-18)

God uses dreams to rescue people

For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed; Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword." (Job 33:14-18)

God used a dream to rescue Jesus!

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13)

Dreams are part of the prophetic realm (which makes them "scary"!)

Dreams are part of the prophetic realm, which means that God can speak through them. This is very "scary" for some people (especially those who say God does not speak prophetically today). Therefore, you will find a "war" going on, in some people's minds (and in entire churches), who speak against dreams. It is unwise to do that — because God gives them.

The danger of avoiding dreams

If you avoid dreams, or speak against them, you may be missing out on something very significant from God. You don't want to grieve the Holy Spirit, do you? Secondly, by speaking against them (entirely), you are doing nothing to solve the problem of those who "go too far." What is needed is not criticism of dreams in general (because God gives them). Rather, what is needed is correct teaching on how to properly interpret them. This is largely missing in most charismatic circles. But it is entirely missing in all conservative circles, who denounce dreams altogether! Yikes!

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)