How do i know if a vision/premonition is from God or from demons?

Nathaniel Red · May 15, 2020

For context, on one side of my family, there are stories of many of my relatives having visions of angels, knowing someone thousands of miles away has died the exact moment they pass, and multiple visions of the future. On the other side there is a history of mental illness.

I have had many dreams in my life which i believe to either be visions or have spiritual importance, and certain 'premonitions' whereby it felt as if knowledge was spiritually imparted upon me. Many of these have also come true later on. But, since i have also had an experience where i believe i was possessed, i don't know whether to look back on these and on any possible ones i may have in the future, as coming from that experience, or from God. I did talk to someone who told me i shouldn't dwell on it and i could tell if it is from demons because they can't do any good works and that if it was from God, i could "test" it in a way through prayer, and that God would keep on calling me multiple times if it was important.

But these answers don't quite help me, as many of these visions have very important things shown that i don't think i should ignore, such as who i might marry, also i had dreams which were twofold in nature similar to those of Joseph and the dreams he interpreted, and dreams which clearly represented me struggling with faith, and then the realization of it in real life where i was in the same place in a way showed that my faith had matured, and one dream in which i directly heard the voice of God. I have prayed about this multiple times but received no answer. And though many of my vision have had twofold significance, none of them had threefold significance or direct calls from God. There were dreams clearly warning against demons and evil, but i know biblical signs are no sureity that it is from God as demons can appear as angels.

Is there any hard and fast answer of discernment or is it all just hope, faith, and patience to see how they turn out?

Unofficial Reverand Alex · May 15, 2020

I'm no expert in this, as I have similar confusions. What I'm about to share is a short video that hits the broader idea of yours & my struggles: Doubt. Pray to learn from the Apostle Thomas & so many others how to thrive when you're not really sure!

Best Lent Ever | Lent Reflections 2020 | Thomas: We All Have Doubts | Dynamic Catholic

Nathaniel Red · May 15, 2020

Unofficial Reverand Alex said:
I'm no expert in this, as I have similar confusions. What I'm about to share is a short video that hits the broader idea of yours & my struggles: Doubt. Pray to learn from the Apostle Thomas & so many others how to thrive when you're not really sure!

Best Lent Ever | Lent Reflections 2020 | Thomas: We All Have Doubts | Dynamic Catholic

Interesting video, but what i am really asking for are practical ways to help and wisdom on methods of discernment. The doubts here are less of God or myself, but of my future and how these visions relate to it. So saying that these visions are true and from God, then that would imply i should prepare for what they predict, contemplate them more than before, etc. but if they are from demons, i should lock them out of my mind as they only cause confusion. Vastly different alternatives. The video is more on the general doubts one has of god and what the world thinks of you.

AMM · May 15, 2020

I think that's a question best for your priest, where you can discuss exactly what occurred in the dreams

F.E.A.R. · May 15, 2020

From my experience, it's best to not pay attention to your dreams (visions), even IF some were from God, God won't get mad if you don't believe in that vision or dream. I myself had too many times Deja Vu, you know seeing in the future, living some events or moments that had already happen.

I myself had dreamed once where me and my future wife were in front of Jesus, telling us how we loved each other (the way he was talking was sweet, calm, happy etc.), his arms were open and he was smiling, though there was no voice speaking, I knew he said that, both me and my wife were smiling and she looked at me, she had blonde hair and she was very beautiful (I know this sounds stupid but that's what happened XD). I immediately woke up, asking myself what happened. I told this to my priest and he said not to pay attention. This is the only dream that's been rooted in my mind, I'm only reminded of it when such a topic comes out, otherwise I don't believe in it.

It's best not to believe in them and not pay attention, I know you're doubting whether they're true or false, but you should talk with your priest about this.

Unofficial Reverand Alex · May 15, 2020

Nathaniel Red said:
Interesting video, but what i am really asking for are practical ways to help and wisdom on methods of discernment. The doubts here are less of God or myself, but of my future and how these visions relate to it. So saying that these visions are true and from God, then that would imply i should prepare for what they predict, contemplate them more than before, etc. but if they are from demons, i should lock them out of my mind as they only cause confusion. Vastly different alternatives. The video is more on the general doubts one has of god and what the world thinks of you.

Alright, thanks for clarifying. I'm still not the expert in this area, but I know a trick that has helped me.

St. Ignatius of Loyola....heard of him? He would spend a great deal of time daydreaming about being a glorious soldier, doing great things for himself, but he would always be anxious at the end of the day. As he was converting, he started to daydream about doing great things for God; from there, he was very peaceful at the end of the day.

I have found this to be helpful; when I would daydream about working against human trafficking, I was always anxious at the end of the day. But when I imagined waiting until after college to do such work, and I daydreamed about littler things for the people around me, I was much more peaceful at the end of the day when that's how it was. Working against trafficking is certainly a good, Godly thing to do, it just isn't my time to do it yet. From this method of discernment, I was able to see more clearly what God's will was for me at this time of my life.

I don't know how well this applies to your situation, but I want to offer what I can & let God do the rest.

Peace & all good gifts,
Alex

ArmyMatt · May 15, 2020

make the sign of the Cross and put the vision out of your mind.

Favoredclay · May 15, 2020

1 John 4 [Full Chapter]
[ On Denying the Incarnation ] Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. ...

You are receptive to what you open your mind to. do as the above scripture says and examine the thought and see if it glorifies God and would confirm Jesus as Lord. Pray for all unclean thoughts to leave your mind and sometimes you have to literally speak to the spirit ....When a thought is brought to your mind speak to it and ask in the name of Jesus for it to be confirmed. I have been unsure at times and I will pray for revelation and speak to my thoughts and say Jesus is Lord of all and every knee will bow to him, I accept no thought or vision that is not of him. Lord I serve only you, be gone if you are not of God. Now, this works if your sincere and it is a demonic temptation, but here is the caveat; if your simply listening to your own delusional thoughts then it may or may not go away. Demons can not stand up to Jesus, but God will allow us the free will of unclean thoughts.So you must take every thought captive and apply it to scripture. If your visions and thoughts can align with scripture then you are probably ok. Still this can not be forced, if it is a thought from God then I have found it will be confirmed by someone without knowledge of it and in a way only you know. It may be a single phrase or thought someone just speaks out. If God is calling you to take action he will provide the opportunity. I have found it is usually not something you would naturally do on your own, God calls us to new things. He will almost always take you out of your wheelhouse.

Rene Loup · May 15, 2020

Gregory Thompson · May 15, 2020

Nathaniel Red said:
For context, on one side of my family, there are stories of many of my relatives having visions of angels, knowing someone thousands of miles away has died the exact moment they pass, and multiple visions of the future. On the other side there is a history of mental illness.

I have had many dreams in my life which i believe to either be visions or have spiritual importance, and certain 'premonitions' whereby it felt as if knowledge was spiritually imparted upon me. Many of these have also come true later on. But, since i have also had an experience where i believe i was possessed, i don't know whether to look back on these and on any possible ones i may have in the future, as coming from that experience, or from God. I did talk to someone who told me i shouldn't dwell on it and i could tell if it is from demons because they can't do any good works and that if it was from God, i could "test" it in a way through prayer, and that God would keep on calling me multiple times if it was important.

But these answers don't quite help me, as many of these visions have very important things shown that i don't think i should ignore, such as who i might marry, also i had dreams which were twofold in nature similar to those of Joseph and the dreams he interpreted, and dreams which clearly represented me struggling with faith, and then the realization of it in real life where i was in the same place in a way showed that my faith had matured, and one dream in which i directly heard the voice of God. I have prayed about this multiple times but received no answer. And though many of my vision have had twofold significance, none of them had threefold significance or direct calls from God. There were dreams clearly warning against demons and evil, but i know biblical signs are no sureity that it is from God as demons can appear as angels.

Is there any hard and fast answer of discernment or is it all just hope, faith, and patience to see how they turn out?

By their fruit you shall know them, Jesus said.

The instruction and the tone of said vision or premonition - what kind of character does it produce in you? How does it preach Christ crucified?

Prophecies in the new testament era seem to be based on the testimony of Jesus, so start there and compare to the teachings of Jesus.

Nathaniel Red · May 15, 2020

Michael Collum said:
By their fruit you shall know them, Jesus said.

The instruction and the tone of said vision or premonition - what kind of character does it produce in you? How does it preach Christ crucified?

Well, the instruction and tone have seemed good, but also in a way somewhat neutral. I won't give specifics here, but in one dream then i was the one chosen by a large group of people to do something evil, but right as i was inches away from doing it, then i felt deep down it was wrong and stopped myself and walked away with everyone cursing/attacking me for it. There are so many interpretations of this, being both good or bad. So many of my dreams have been telling me to wait and have patience with things, or using very parabolic messages like the bible with many meanings when looked at face value.

Michael Collum said:
Prophecies in the new testament era seem to be based on the testimony of Jesus, so start there and compare to the teachings of Jesus.

I don't think any of my visions have directly helped me, but indirectly told of a better future, or shown where i am lacking, and i do think those have biblical merit, but more in the old testament. That's actually where i first started with Christianity, and i think i connect with it more in some ways, not to downplay the new testament of course.

I've realized a lot of this as i was typing, so thank you. Im thinking maybe the best thing now would be to have a priest help talk through them for me.

Nathaniel Red · May 15, 2020

ArmyMatt said:
make the sign of the Cross and put the vision out of your mind.

What if i do that, and then the vision ends up being important? I would've ignored something i shouldn't have. And whereas with most biblical visions, God would keep sending it if it was important, i think my visions are more of the kind with Joseph, needing interpretation, especially since they are more long term or with parables. If the pharaoh of Egypt ignored his dreams, then all the land would've starved. I know i'm no pharaoh, but i could assume it would personally affect me in a similar manner?

AMM · May 15, 2020

That’s why it’s best to consult a priest. I’m reading a book on Spiritual Direction right now, and early on it addresses the issue of tempting thoughts. For some Saints, they were instructed by their abba/spiritual father to engage directly, and fight the demonic thoughts with the cross, with Scripture, etc. and other Saints were instructed (sometimes by the same spiritual guide) to ignore these thoughts and simply go about their other duties.

I think if you’re concerned about the personal implications, then your priest is the place to go - he knows you and your situation better than we do on the internet.

ArmyMatt · May 15, 2020

Nathaniel Red said:
What if i do that, and then the vision ends up being important? I would've ignored something i shouldn't have. And whereas with most biblical visions, God would keep sending it if it was important, i think my visions are more of the kind with Joseph, needing interpretation, especially since they are more long term or with parables. If the pharaoh of Egypt ignored his dreams, then all the land would've starved. I know i'm no pharaoh, but i could assume it would personally affect me in a similar manner?

if it's of God, it'll come back and bear good fruit.

Nathaniel Red · May 15, 2020

ArmyMatt said:
if it's of God, it'll come back and bear good fruit.

Well, that's a better way of putting it than "he'll let you know". I'll think on that.

ArmyMatt · May 15, 2020

Nathaniel Red said:
Well, that's a better way of putting it than "he'll let you know". I'll think on that.

that's how He lets you know.

How do i know if a vision/premonition is from God or from demons?

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