Dreams

[Tellyontellyon]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

 

[HTacianas]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

If God chose to strike someone with a dream I suppose He would. But it is not likely. Dreams may be an aid to some and of some help to an individual. But they are not something just anyone should put much stock in.

Jer 23:25 “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I believe that dreams are sometimes spiritual/supernatural in nature, but most the time not. I was a psychology student in my younger days, and tended to take courses on dreams and dream interpretation, when I met my other requirements or couldn't find a good counseling or psychotherapy class.

Anyway I studied all the different views and theorists of the day Calvin Hall being the best and most thorough researcher on the subject. His research is that dreams for the most part, are based on our immediate waking life, but also our long term life. But naturally their is some random stuff in the mix as well.


Anyway there has been a kind of movement of Christians (especially Charismatics) to actually read spiritual meaning into all their dreams and I'm really disturbed by that. Even in the Bible where their were prophetic dreams it doesn't look like people had them all the time, but rather once in a blue moon.

 

[tturt]

Tellyontellyon You might want to post in the "signs forum" under "Spiritual Gifts,"

 

[Lawrence87]

I became a Christian because of a dream. However I don't see much value to the majority of dreams, most of them are nonsensical, and many are outright demonic.

If a dream increases your faith, and inspires you to come closer to God then there probably isn't much harm in paying attention to it, but even then we can be decieved in extremely subtle ways that appear good in our limited judgement, and one should never fall into the trap of thinking that one is special because one has interesting dreams.

 

[com7fy8]

There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.

I think dreams in the Bible can be ones intended for our benefit, if they are ones from God.

But, also, God does relate with each of His children. So, an individual can have a dream which is from God.

But there are people who fear intimacy, and they can be jealous that God would personally and intimately communicate with one of His children . . . by a dream and other ways that are quite personal and intimate. But in case you get a dream from God, this is not some status symbol thing, or some thing to mean you should have some special power over everyone else.

However, there is also room for malign influence too...

We all should know from our own experience, how we need to stay prayerful so we are getting God's input . . . and so we understand Him correctly

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

My opinion >

Dreams occur, according to the mainstream science I am aware of, during an important part of the sleep process. Sleep helps to clear us so we can function the next day. And so, may be, dreams are used in this process and to check how we can function after some of the clearing has been done. And then more clearing is done, and more use of dreams to check how our brains can function.

But, also, God can personally communicate with us, while we are asleep. This can be when all our defenses and busy-ness of our attention is shut down . . . when, may be, God can communicate the most deeply and personally with how we really are while not so busy with our controlling things and covering up and justifying things.

So, I would say dream time could be very significant. Not just the dream, but how I am during a dream, can be a major concern . . . especially if I am not loving and caring about others and seeking to please God, during the dream. The dream could, then, be checking my character, so I get the message of how I still need real deep correction, and not just self-producing some so-called "Christian" activity to make myself look good to others . . . and to fool me!

In my case, during dreams I can still be trying to fly above others and get people to see me. This can be good . . . or bad . . . depending on why I am flying high

 

[BobRyan]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

Inspired dreams are not like regular ones - they are very vivid - like real life.

Numbers 12:6
6 He said,
“Now hear My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, will make Myself known to him in a vision.
I will speak with him in a dream.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

Christians should avoid dream interpretation by others. This is when error creeps in. Most, if not all, dreams/ visions given directly to a person of faith is immediately self interpreted or interpreted by the Spirit.

 

[jayem]

Seems to me, the older I get, the less detail about dreaming I can remember. I have to wake up almost immediately to recall anything. But I do remember having the “examination” dream, or it’s variants. It’s quite common. I’m back in school, and I suddenly realize I have to take an exam. But I haven’t been to any of the classes, or studied any of the material. I’ve had a variation of it where I’m out of town at a meeting. And all of sudden I remember I have to catch a flight home within a half hour or so. But I haven’t packed anything, I don’t have any transportation to the airport, and I can’t find my ticket. Many, many people have had dreams of this nature. A buddy of mine told me he dreamt he had an appointment for a job interview. But he didn’t know where he was, where he was supposed to be, or how to get there. These dream scenarios are almost certainly the brain’s response to stress. Even Freud wrote about them—I think he was the first to use the term “examination dream.”

 

[prophecy_uk]

As a person said, the false prophets say they have dreamed a dream.

Peter, was fulfilling the Jews separation from the Gentiles, all was fulfilled, as the faith came to the world when he had a vision.

Animals, dogs/rats dream, and God wanted man to know he is no better than a beast, so much for dreaming..

Ecclesiastes 3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

 

[Sketcher]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

There's a certain kind of dream which deserves to be held onto and prayerfully considered, and weighed with Scripture. I've had one of those, and it may or may not have been prophetic. I didn't know about its prophetic potential at the time, but years later, events transpired that made me wonder.

God is faithful. He will do what he intends to do. There was nothing at the time of my dream that I should have done but didn't, so I wouldn't call this ignoring it at my peril. I rank such events among those that God will non-coercively use to show you something. When it comes to correcting our understanding, God isn't all fire and judgement.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

I came to the LORD through a dream about hell, it was a very motivating dream. But many of my dreams on a daily basis are so confused that there is no meaning to them. God can give dreams, but dream interpretation can be hard, as are many of the Spiritual Gifts. There is room for both Godly and satanic influences.

 

[tturt]

Everything the Lord does has a purpose

"For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction," Job 33

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" Acts 2:17

There's about 20 dreams in Scripture. Of course, we need to asks God what's the interpretation. (Gen 40) He gave the interpretation to Joseph and Daniel for others. (Gen 41 and Dan 1) We wouldn't know His purpose without it.

 

[renniks]

Seems to me, the older I get, the less detail about dreaming I can remember. I have to wake up almost immediately to recall anything. But I do remember having the “examination” dream, or it’s variants. It’s quite common. I’m back in school, and I suddenly realize I have to take an exam. But I haven’t been to any of the classes, or studied any of the material. I’ve had a variation of it where I’m out of town at a meeting. And all of sudden I remember I have to catch a flight home within a half hour or so. But I haven’t packed anything, I don’t have any transportation to the airport, and I can’t find my ticket. Many, many people have had dreams of this nature. A buddy of mine told me he dreamt he had an appointment for a job interview. But he didn’t know where he was, where he was supposed to be, or how to get there. These dream scenarios are almost certainly the brain’s response to stress. Even Freud wrote about them—I think he was the first to use the term “examination dream.”

Sounds like insecurity manifesting itself.
I've had those kinds of dreams too...
And for a long time after I left working factory jobs, I'd have dreams that I was at work in a factory. Once I was leaving and could never get to the door. Pretty self explanatory... but I have had spiritual dreams also. A couple were quite meaningful to me.

 

[jayem]

Sounds like insecurity manifesting itself.
I've had those kinds of dreams too...
And for a long time after I left working factory jobs, I'd have dreams that I was at work in a factory. Once I was leaving and could never get to the door. Pretty self explanatory... but I have had spiritual dreams also. A couple were quite meaningful to me.

I once had an episode of sleep paralysis. I was in medical training in my early 20s. My team was on call at the hospital the previous night. We were busy with sick patients and new admissions. I got to my apt. the next afternoon and immediately hit the sack. I was in that borderline stage, of just beginning to fall asleep. I had a sudden feeling that something vicious and extremely dangerous was in my bedroom and was just about to attack me. And I couldn't move a muscle to get away. I felt like I was totally paralyzed. With a supreme effort of will, I managed to flex my little finger. And immediately, the sensation of impending danger disappeared, I woke up, and I was able to move normally. I'm sure the whole episode didn't last more than 10 seconds or so. We'd studied neuroscience, and I realized that I had a hypnagogic hallucination with sleep paralysis. Which is usually related to being stressed and fatigued. But it was still pretty scary. And fortunately, I've never had it again.

Hypnagogia: How the State Between Wakefulness and Sleep Works

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

I once had an episode of sleep paralysis. I was in medical training in my early 20s. My team was on call at the hospital the previous night. We were busy with sick patients and new admissions. I got to my apt. the next afternoon and immediately hit the sack. I was in that borderline stage, of just beginning to fall asleep. I had a sudden feeling that something vicious and extremely dangerous was in my bedroom and was just about to attack me. And I couldn't move a muscle to get away. I felt like I was totally paralyzed. With a supreme effort of will, I managed to flex my little finger. And immediately, the sensation of impending danger disappeared, I woke up, and I was able to move normally. I'm sure the whole episode didn't last more than 10 seconds or so. We'd studied neuroscience, and I realized that I had a hypnagogic hallucination with sleep paralysis. Which is usually related to being stressed and fatigued. But it was still pretty scary. And fortunately, I've never had it again.

Hypnagogia: How the State Between Wakefulness and Sleep Works

What medical training did you take? MD, DO, PA, RN, ???

I identify with the school dream. I had those decades ago. I showed up for an exam and no one was there and school was out, or I got an F on a report card for a class I forgot I had signed up for and never attended. Even had one where I went building to building all over campus trying to find people and no one was there. Fortunately all were some form of stress related dream. I've also had crazy dreams where I was fighting aliens aboard one of their star ships, or was on another planet. And then come the once in a life time dreams of the beyond, where it was so real, I cried when I awoke because I had just been with family who had been dead for 20 or more years and was talking to them in person like it was just yesterday.

 

[angelsaroundme]

I can't recall ever having a recurring dream. If I did I might suspect God was sending me a message.

 

[ViaCrucis]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

There is a delicate balance that needs to be maintained between what is possible, and what is probable. It is not impossible for things such as dreams to have a deep meaning for the dreamer--but one should not presume that dreams are anything more than dreams.

The only dream I've ever had which I consider meaningful was one I had as a very small child. If you were to ask me, there are things about that dream that, for me, only seem to make sense now as an adult 35 years later.

In that dream I was in a room with tables, and children my own age seated at each table. Jesus was going from table to table offering a cup to each child. When Jesus set a cup down in front of me at my table, either the child on the opposite side of me at the table, or else just a thought (I do not recall) presented the question: "Will you drink His cup?" After which I woke up.

I'm not going to be so bold as to claim this was some kind of supernatural dream--because I do not know.

I generally distrust personal and private experiences--including my own.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Frank Simbarashe]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

It is possible for one to be a believer and not believe in dreams even though they are clearly biblical I remember in the past when i was still in university I did not take dreams too seriously but now I mostly see through dreams

 

[aiki]

In the Bible, including the NT fresh revelation has been given through dreams... e.g. Peter.
There are a number of dreams in the Bible and the ability to interpret dreams seems to be valued.
However, there is also room for malign influence too...

So should a Christian bother with dreams? Do they ignore them at their peril?

Mostly, dreams are just the jumbled, nonsensical things we understand them to be. The common dream differs from one sent from God in that a divinely-given dream does not fade away in short order, as most of our dreams do, but remains clear and potent in its effect upon the dreamer. The dream from God is not nonsensical, either, though it may need some interpreting by a person God has at hand to offer an interpretation, as in the case of Daniel and King Cyrus or Joseph and Pharaoh. This is key, though: God does not issue a dream to someone that requires interpreting without having an interpreter already prepared. God is not the Author of confusion, the apostle Paul wrote, and so He does not issue dreams to us that cannot be understood. Many of the dreams God has sent to people do not require interpreters, however. I have heard of Muslims, for instance, having dreams of Jesus, being told in their dreams to seek out Christians or to find a Bible and read it. Their dreams were not vague or confusing, requiring interpretation, nor did they fade rapidly away.

By and large, though, dreams are not the primary means by which God communicates with people today. He has given to us His word, the Bible, and in it supplied to us all we need to know about Him, His will, and our relationship to Him. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalms 119:105; Matthew 4:4) What need, then, of dreams?