The Source of Dreams and Visions
By: Minister Denise N. FyffeIt is important to understand that dreams and visions may come from multiple sources, and it is also essential to develop the capacity to identify God’s voice. Furthermore, distinguishing between a God dream and a deceptive projection from the devil will also be highly beneficial. For practical discernment, RTCLM uses three broad possibilities when considering the source of a dream or vision. Scripture records God-given dreams and visions, recognizes that human concerns can affect dreams (Ecclesiastes 5:3), and warns about false or deceptive dreams and visions (Jeremiah 23:25–32; Deuteronomy 13:1–3). This framework should not be treated as a mechanical test that identifies the source of every dream. The three broad possibilities are:
- God
- Satan
- Yourself, the physical man
God
We started by establishing and explaining that God communicates to us using dreams and visions. The bible provides us with many examples of situations where God intervened and communicated with man through visions and dreams. Many of which we will explore. Furthermore, God makes it clear that we ought to know His voice. John 10:14-15 (NIV) states,“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep.”And John 10:27-30 (ESV) adds,
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”This reveals a deeper, and greater purpose that God had for humanity. If we examine the relationship between God and Adam, we will see an example of what it will be like in heaven when Jesus comes again. He desires an intimate relationship with us, in which we know Him through His Word and by the Holy Spirit, growing in sensitivity to His voice and presence while remaining anchored in Scripture. We will know love beyond the human and physical restrictions of this world, a purity that cannot be duplicated by anyone else. We will have true communion with God and not one brokered by a human gateway, and we will see Jesus face to face.
The Devil
Scripture warns that believers can face deception, temptation, and spiritual opposition. If a dream appears spiritually troubling, test the experience against Scripture, pray for wisdom, and reject anything clearly contrary to Christ. Some dreams may appear to involve attempted spiritual agreements, covenant activity, temptation, or deception; these should be taken seriously and renounced in prayer. At the same time, do not assume that every disturbing dream means you consciously agreed to or became guilty of what occurred in the dream. Disturbing, dark, oppressive, or unusually fearful dreams can sometimes indicate spiritual warfare or demonic interference, particularly when other elements of the dream and later confirmation support that discernment. However, emotional tone alone should not be the only basis for identifying the source, since stress, trauma, illness, medication, or other natural factors can also influence dreams. Some troubling dreams may leave you feeling unsettled, and spiritual discernment may alert you that something is wrong. However, the emotional tone of a dream should not be used by itself to determine its source. Sexual, threatening, coercive, or deceptive imagery should be prayerfully examined in context and tested through Scripture, discernment, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In my own dream experiences and spiritual-warfare practice, receiving or eating food in dreams has sometimes represented spiritual contamination, covenant activity, sickness, or other forms of attack. However, the meaning should still be discerned from the whole dream, prayer, context, and the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than assuming every dream involving food has the same meaning.Activity:
If a dream appears to involve an ungodly covenant, agreement, initiation, or spiritual transaction, take it seriously and renounce it in prayer. An unwanted dream does not necessarily mean you consciously consented to such an agreement, but it is still wise to reject and cancel anything contrary to God’s will and reaffirm your allegiance to Jesus Christ. Some believers use prayed-over water as part of their prayer and spiritual-warfare practice after troubling dreams involving food or drink. Scripture does not prescribe this as a required formula, but a believer may prayerfully use it as an act of faith while depending on Jesus Christ—not the water itself—for protection, cleansing, and deliverance. If you have actual symptoms or concerns about physical poisoning or illness, address the real-world medical concern appropriately as well as praying. A dream involving food should not automatically be taken as proof that a particular person is poisoning or spiritually contaminating your meals. However, if the dream appears to carry a warning, pray for discernment, watch for confirmation, exercise practical wisdom, and take appropriate precautions without accusing anyone solely on the basis of the dream. Where a dream is genuinely deceptive or spiritually oppressive, its effect may include fear, confusion, temptation, or distraction. Even then, emotional distress alone is not enough to prove a demonic source; the dream should be tested carefully rather than classified by feeling alone. Some troubling dreams may carry genuine warnings about spiritual or physical danger and should not be ignored. When a dream is believed to be a warning, pray, rebuke what is contrary to God’s will, seek confirmation, and take wise practical action where necessary. At the same time, not every disturbing dream should be assumed to predict a physical event.Yourself, The Physical Man
Our life experiences may dictate what we see in our dreams. Similarly, if we have intense, or stressful experiences they might play out in our dreams. For example, for the first time, I dreamt I was having my cycle and I saw a red stain on my clothing. Surely, within a few days, I did indeed have my cycle. A woman who is with child or pregnant might also see this happen in their dream. Someone who is experiencing stress at work might have dreams about work as well. Dreams may also reflect desires, memories, temptations, fears, or habits from waking life. If recurring dream content exposes an actual area of sin, temptation, or spiritual vulnerability, do not ignore it. Left unaddressed, such areas can become openings the enemy exploits and may increasingly affect the person’s physical life, choices, relationships, and spiritual condition. Respond through repentance, prayer, accountability, and wise action.Activity:
When you dream, ask God to intervene and let His will be done. Ask God to reveal and break any ungodly covenant, curse, dedication, agreement, or inherited spiritual influence that may be operating in your life. Even when the source of a troubling dream is uncertain, it is appropriate to renounce anything contrary to Christ and reaffirm your covenant and allegiance to Jesus Christ. Be specific. Mention specific areas of your life, where applicable. For example, your marriage, your work, your friendships, your finances, your family, areas of sin, and addiction. Be specific in prayer about the situation, sin, area of your life, or spiritual oppression you believe is involved. If a particular person appears in the dream, pray for discernment and wisdom, but do not accuse or condemn that person solely on the basis of dream imagery. Where spiritual opposition is genuinely discerned, address it directly in prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Continue in prayer until the troubling or ungodly dreams and visions have ceased, and until any spiritual or practical effects connected to them have been resolved. Remain watchful, seek God’s guidance, and respond wisely to anything that becomes evident in your spiritual or physical life. Stay tuned for our next lesson on dreams and visions. Subscribe to receive notifications. Be encouraged.*****
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About the writer: Minister Denise N. Fyffe is a published author of over 50 fiction and non-fiction books. She started Revealing the Christian Life Ministry to help other Christians and provide support. She is also a trainer and mentors aspiring writers towards achieving their goals. For more information on Dreams & Visions, visit The Mystery of Dreams and Visions in the RTCLM Book Shop.
Paperback and eBook Edition by Minister Denise N. Fyffe (Author)
Continue in the Dream Center: If a dream or symbol keeps repeating, use the Recurring Dreams & Repeated Patterns hub to compare context, changes, timing, Scripture and later confirmation without forcing a fixed meaning.