Do dreams really have meaning?

[selenah]

Okay lol sorry, another question about dreams but this dream stuff is really bothering me.


About a month or so ago the pastor at the church I go to had a Bible study on dreams. He said that dreams don't have any meaning or anything to them. I find it difficult to believe that because of..well alot of things. Like one time I was talking about something with this girl at church and jokingly said "it's dejavu" and she tells me that she dreams about things before they happen.


I'm wondering, what are different reasons why we have dreams?


How does someone know whether their dreams are from God, demons, or the subconscious?


I'm rather confused about how to approach this. Whenever I'm under alot of stress, sad, or whatever I have these incredibly vivid dreams where the people in them seem so real.

Just last night I had a dream where there was this woman who captured me and took me onto this ship (lol okay not an alien abduction ). It was so weird because I felt like a little child and just hid in the corner. After a while I started talking to these other people in the room and said something about it being cloudy outside. Then the lady who captured me is like "the end is near." She started showing me these people being shot and she said "You'll be dead before then but the government will kill them. Only a select few will survive." Sooo then there were all these people looking out this window at the moon. I told this person "I have to look at it before I die."


Talk about creepy!


If it was demonic, I probably wouldn't be on here telling everyone but I'm still confused about what to make of the dream and similar previous dreams.

Is it best to just avoid thinking about it? Anyways, any thoughts?

 

[loveme1]

Find comfort in God.

He is the truth.

Jesus is our Saviour.

I can not tell you the meaning of the dream. Ask God for guidance.

But, the Bible does talk about dreams, and visions.

Do not fear this dream.

Trust God xxxx

 

[loveme1]

Also, I had a dream, and I have been asking for guidance.

I will trust in God, he loves us, and wants us to use scripture and Holy spirit.

 

[barukhmalachi]

God is the same in 2012 as he was in the begining. Did joseph have dreams that had meaning. If you believe gods word the answer should be yes. Even pharohs dream had a meaning and he claimed he was a god on earth. A dream from god can repeat many nights or seem more like a memory than just a dream. It may tug at your spirit. Because your preacher don't believe don't mean he ain't a man of god and it don't mean hes right. Its a subject you can't shake off and you are still searching. That's the tug at your spirit. God can't use a channel of communication that you don't believe in. I personally have had dreams from god. More often my dreams don't mean nothing but when you get one, you may feel your faith increase or remember vividly and search non stop for answers. Its hard to explain till you have one. You'll just know. Your preacher is wrong on this subject. Its not biblical for god not to speak through dreams. Healing the sick is biblical, the deciples did it. Just because I have been used by god in that way doesn't mean god can't or won't use someone for that purpose. We are members of the body of christ, are the hands used for the same purpose as feet. I have enjoyed god speaking to me in dreams, if you don't know what it means, pray for interpitation. It will come to you in gods good timing. Look up also symbols god uses in bible. Perry stone does teachings about dreams as well as others.

 

[selenah]

Yeah I have had dreams when I was younger that I used to think were memories. I've also dreamed dreams or parts of them more than once, not too often though. I don't know. Does God ever speak directly in a dream?

 

[Snackersmom]

Hi, Selenah

I strongly believe that God uses dreams to speak to us, even today, but the way He speaks through them isn't always as an audible voice (although, it can be). However, just because you hear an audible voice in a dream, it doesn't necessarily mead that God was talking.

Most of our dreams are just a result of our dormant brains functioning, and don't have a spiritual message, so don't drive yourself crazy trying to find meaning in the meaningless. Here are some tips to help you tell if a dream is from God:

- If it stays on your mind pretty clearly for days or weeks, or even longer, and sort of troubles you a bit. <<<That's probably the most important.

- If you know things in it that you shouldn't have known, like "I walked past a tree, and I knew that it was a fig tree, even though I've never seen a fig tree before"

- Symbolism, like people appearing as animals, or objects from nature that seem to be significant, but you don't know why.

- Impressions from the people/objects in the dream, like "A man was talking to me, and I knew that he was trying to trick me, even though he seemed nice" or "Somehow, I knew that if I kept climbing, I could escape the darkness below" or "I met a woman, and she seemed familiar, even though I don't know who she was".

Now, these things don't mean for certain that a dream was from God. Again, you have to be careful. If a dream rattles you a bit, then you can pray and ask God to tell you what the meaning is, or ask Him lead you to someone who might know. But, you do need to be careful of anyone who claims to know what your dreams mean, because some people just make stuff up. If a dream comes from God, then the true meaning has to come from God, as well. If someone gives you an interpretation, and you commit it to prayer, but don't feel peaceful about it within a day or two, then they probably didn't really hear from God. Be open, but be careful, as well Love, Nichole

 

[babyboyblue]

I hope not. I keep having this recurring dream where God came and didn't take me. All I had left to look forward to was Hell Fire. Not a good feeling.

 

[Snackersmom]

Well, no offense, Babyboyblue, I don't really know you, but your profile says that you aren't a Christian. Is it possible that God is trying to get your attention?.......

 

[babyboyblue]

Well, no offense, Babyboyblue, I don't really know you, but your profile says that you aren't a Christian. Is it possible that God is trying to get your attention?.......

He's got my attention. And He's had it for years. I just have a fear of not making it to heaven. My God that would be sooooo bad. Wailing and gnashing of teeth. Man oh man ... Must trust in God. He WILL save me.

 

[Snackersmom]

He's got my attention. And He's had it for years. I just have a fear of not making it to heaven. My God that would be sooooo bad. Wailing and gnashing of teeth. Man oh man ... Must trust in God. He WILL save me.

^^^Well, certainly, Jesus can save you, and He WILL save you, if you put your trust in Him . If you don't feel like you have enough faith to believe in Jesus' saving power, then I would ask Him to give you the faith you need to believe, because He will (Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief! -from Mark 9:24)

 

[trust_in_the_name]

Okay lol sorry, another question about dreams but this dream stuff is really bothering me.


About a month or so ago the pastor at the church I go to had a Bible study on dreams. He said that dreams don't have any meaning or anything to them. I find it difficult to believe that because of..well alot of things. Like one time I was talking about something with this girl at church and jokingly said "it's dejavu" and she tells me that she dreams about things before they happen.


I'm wondering, what are different reasons why we have dreams?


How does someone know whether their dreams are from God, demons, or the subconscious?


I'm rather confused about how to approach this. Whenever I'm under alot of stress, sad, or whatever I have these incredibly vivid dreams where the people in them seem so real.

Just last night I had a dream where there was this woman who captured me and took me onto this ship (lol okay not an alien abduction ). It was so weird because I felt like a little child and just hid in the corner. After a while I started talking to these other people in the room and said something about it being cloudy outside. Then the lady who captured me is like "the end is near." She started showing me these people being shot and she said "You'll be dead before then but the government will kill them. Only a select few will survive." Sooo then there were all these people looking out this window at the moon. I told this person "I have to look at it before I die."


Talk about creepy!


If it was demonic, I probably wouldn't be on here telling everyone but I'm still confused about what to make of the dream and similar previous dreams.

Is it best to just avoid thinking about it? Anyways, any thoughts?

Here are a few examples in the Bible of dreams which came from God:

Genesis 28:10-17; 31:11-13; 37:5-11; 40:1-22; 41:1-32; Numbers 12:6; Judges 7:9-15; Daniel 1, 2, 4, 7; Matthew 1:20; 2:12-22.

Does God still speak to people in this way, through dreams? He can if He wants to, since He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3), but occurences like these, which are recorded in the Bible, are special events. Even so, the Bible says:

14 For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction. 17 In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man, 18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. (Job 33:14-18)

So, it is indeed true that God uses dreams to instruct people, even under normal circumstances.

This is by no means to say that all, or even most, dreams come from God. Indeed, the Bible also talks about dreams which come from men's own hearts. For example,

16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:16)

Where did these visions of their own hearts come from?

25 "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' (Jeremiah 23:25)

Apparently, these visions from their own hearts came from dreams that they had. Yet, the heart is desperately wicked, and deceitful above all things,

9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

And, this was certainly true of the dreams these prophets had,

26 How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, (Jeremiah 23:26)

What does it mean to say that a dream comes from our own hearts?

7 The multitude of all the nations who fight against Ariel, Even all who fight against her and her fortress, And distress her, Shall be as a dream of a night vision. 8 It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, And look--he eats; But he awakes, and his soul is still empty; Or as when a thirsty man dreams, And look--he drinks; But he awakes, and indeed he is faint, And his soul still craves: So the multitude of all the nations shall be, Who fight against Mount Zion." (Isaiah 29:7-8)

So, hungry men dream about food, and thirsty men about drink: their dreams come from their own desires. It's interesting to note that Solomon pleased the Lord with his words, even though he only spoke them in a dream (1 Kings 3:5-10).

7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God. (Ecclesiastes 5:7)

 

[selenah]

Hi, Selenah

I strongly believe that God uses dreams to speak to us, even today, but the way He speaks through them isn't always as an audible voice (although, it can be). However, just because you hear an audible voice in a dream, it doesn't necessarily mead that God was talking.

Most of our dreams are just a result of our dormant brains functioning, and don't have a spiritual message, so don't drive yourself crazy trying to find meaning in the meaningless. Here are some tips to help you tell if a dream is from God:

- If it stays on your mind pretty clearly for days or weeks, or even longer, and sort of troubles you a bit. <<<That's probably the most important.

- If you know things in it that you shouldn't have known, like "I walked past a tree, and I knew that it was a fig tree, even though I've never seen a fig tree before"

- Symbolism, like people appearing as animals, or objects from nature that seem to be significant, but you don't know why.

- Impressions from the people/objects in the dream, like "A man was talking to me, and I knew that he was trying to trick me, even though he seemed nice" or "Somehow, I knew that if I kept climbing, I could escape the darkness below" or "I met a woman, and she seemed familiar, even though I don't know who she was".

Now, these things don't mean for certain that a dream was from God. Again, you have to be careful. If a dream rattles you a bit, then you can pray and ask God to tell you what the meaning is, or ask Him lead you to someone who might know. But, you do need to be careful of anyone who claims to know what your dreams mean, because some people just make stuff up. If a dream comes from God, then the true meaning has to come from God, as well. If someone gives you an interpretation, and you commit it to prayer, but don't feel peaceful about it within a day or two, then they probably didn't really hear from God. Be open, but be careful, as well Love, Nichole

Yeah I've had dreams with all those things. I can remember dreams from when I was a little kid like 5 or something. It's weird to think about. The people in my dreams seem familiar but they don't look familiar. I don't know, I need to get some sleep lol.

 

[selenah]

Here are a few examples in the Bible of dreams which came from God:

Genesis 28:10-17; 31:11-13; 37:5-11; 40:1-22; 41:1-32; Numbers 12:6; Judges 7:9-15; Daniel 1, 2, 4, 7; Matthew 1:20; 2:12-22.

Does God still speak to people in this way, through dreams? He can if He wants to, since He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3), but occurences like these, which are recorded in the Bible, are special events. Even so, the Bible says:

14 For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction. 17 In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man, 18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. (Job 33:14-18)

So, it is indeed true that God uses dreams to instruct people, even under normal circumstances.

This is by no means to say that all, or even most, dreams come from God. Indeed, the Bible also talks about dreams which come from men's own hearts. For example,

16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:16)

Where did these visions of their own hearts come from?

25 "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' (Jeremiah 23:25)

Apparently, these visions from their own hearts came from dreams that they had. Yet, the heart is desperately wicked, and deceitful above all things,

9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

And, this was certainly true of the dreams these prophets had,

26 How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, (Jeremiah 23:26)

What does it mean to say that a dream comes from our own hearts?

7 The multitude of all the nations who fight against Ariel, Even all who fight against her and her fortress, And distress her, Shall be as a dream of a night vision. 8 It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, And look--he eats; But he awakes, and his soul is still empty; Or as when a thirsty man dreams, And look--he drinks; But he awakes, and indeed he is faint, And his soul still craves: So the multitude of all the nations shall be, Who fight against Mount Zion." (Isaiah 29:7-8)

So, hungry men dream about food, and thirsty men about drink: their dreams come from their own desires. It's interesting to note that Solomon pleased the Lord with his words, even though he only spoke them in a dream (1 Kings 3:5-10).

7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God. (Ecclesiastes 5:7)

Wow thanks that was pretty thorough. I never heard of that verse in Job before or the one in Ecclesiastes.

 

[MaggieMye]

I love those verses in Job!!

OP: About a month or so ago the pastor at the church I go to had a Bible study on dreams. He said that dreams don't have any meaning or anything to them.Your pastor is unlearned and ignorant about what the BIBLE says about dreams. I find it difficult to believe that because of..well alot of things. Like one time I was talking about something with this girl at church and jokingly said "it's dejavu" and she tells me that she dreams about things before they happen. YOU are the correct one here. DREAMS are from 1~God, 2~your own soul/mind, and 3~the kingdom of darkness...these dreams are dreams that God ALLOWS so that you can know what your spiritual enemy is up to and so act to overcome.

Dejavu, on occasion is no big deal and happens to everyone. It has to do with the fact that there is no TIME element in the spiritual realm....too long to explain here. But if it happens frequently, it is because there is demonic interference that is trying to distract you from the call of God on your life.​

I'm wondering, what are different reasons why we have dreams? Dreams are part of the 'prophetic' part of how God communicates with us. He gives or allows dreams for the purposes of Instruction, Revelation, Wisdom, Knowledge, Correction, Encouragement, Confirmation.​

How does someone know whether their dreams are from God, demons, or the subconscious? Typically...not always, but usually, dreams from your own soul are a bit dull in coloration, AND the elements of the dream are renditions of your own fears, hopes, dreams and concerns. It's your brain trying to work things out, figure things out or responding, even, to something spicy you ate...yeah, pizza dreams. Dreams from the devil are black and white...there is "no life" in them and Life is represented by Color....consider all the colors that God created! He is Life! Hence, dreams, even nightmares, from God are in full color. God does not give us nightmares to scare us, but to SHOW us what is going on so that WE ask HIM for understanding and strategy so as to overcome situations. They are given for the purpose of prayer, as are most dreams. 90% of dreams are about ourselves. 10% are about others and almost always (ask the Holy Spirit) for the purpose of interceeding.​

I'm rather confused about how to approach this. Whenever I'm under alot of stress, sad, or whatever I have these incredibly vivid dreams where the people in them seem so real. Write them down as soon as you wake. Look at the content metaphorically. Pray and as Holy Spirit to give you revelation because those dreams have answers to your situations in them: Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.​

Just last night I had a dream where there was this woman who captured me and took me onto this ship (lol okay not an alien abduction ). It was so weird because I felt like a little child and just hid in the corner. After a while I started talking to these other people in the room and said something about it being cloudy outside. Then the lady who captured me is like "the end is near." She started showing me these people being shot and she said "You'll be dead before then but the government will kill them. Only a select few will survive." Sooo then there were all these people looking out this window at the moon. I told this person "I have to look at it before I die." THis dream shows that there is an influence of witchcraft in your life and the spirit behind it is attempting to bring you fear so that you do not fulfill the call of God on your life. Ask Jesus for His wisdom and revelation and Courage. Ask Holy Spirit for strategy as to how to overcome or get away from this influence.​

Talk about creepy! Not really. Everything God does or allows is for HIS purposes. Our steps are ordered by the Lord, remember?​

If it was demonic, I probably wouldn't be on here telling everyone but I'm still confused about what to make of the dream and similar previous dreams.

Is it best to just avoid thinking about it? Anyways, any thoughts? No, write them down. Some dreams are given so you pray and then when a certain situation occurs, you will have His stance on the matter and be able to overcome it. Over time, you will be able to look back at your recorded dreams and 'see' things that God was showing you.​

Babyboyblue: "I hope not. I keep having this recurring dream where God came and didn't take me. All I had left to look forward to was Hell Fire. Not a good feeling." Well, since your spiritual status says "not Christian" I can say that that dream is showing you your eternal destination should you refuse the price that Jesus paid for YOUR SINS.
You could do this: Just say to Jesus Christ, "Jesus Christ, if you ARE real, come into my heart and teach me your ways. If you are the God of Love that others say You are, fill me with yourself so I can love others. Reveal my heart to me. Amen".
It won't hurt. You have nothing to lose and eternal peace and glory with the One that created you to gain.
Maggie​

​

 

[Consumed]

Dreams - hmmm
i dreamt a month ago i was given a silver car, moment i woke up i started praising God for that for i felt strongly it was from his throne of grace

Christmas day, someone who had been ripping me off subtlely in buisness contracts called after two years of not hearing from him gave me a silver car(good one)
(even when he was ripping me off id accept his excuses as to why and id keep thanking God and blessing him regardless - Gods way)

Had many dreams, not all have stirred my heart but the ones that have most have passed as dreamt and a few others by faith unwavering will come to pass

 

[barukhmalachi]

Everyone is pretty right on in here. God can speak directly using famaliar people to you. At a time I seemed to be growing spiritually rapidly, I had a dream of a godly man I knew, the whole dream was we were walking out of church and he told me good job, that was it. As far as dreams of god not taking you, definately get saved as mentioned above, you are not garunteed another breathe past the one you are taking now. My dad and brother are not saved yet and ive had dreams of me being a spirit coming to save them from a missle strike just before the second coming. I have seen symbolism, heard gods voice, seen representation of future events all kinds of cool faith building dreams. I had one one time where satan was in a friends house and I came and cast him out in jesus name. He was visible and when I mention jesus he screamed and bled all over the walls and ceiling and left. I knew in dream it was not demon but satan himself. God showed me how much authority we have. Vivid dreams build faith like you wouldn't believe when you get what you are being showed. Especially when you see jesus himself. In 30 years I've seen jesus in person twice through dreams. I've seen my grandpa also. It wasnt like a dream, it was as it was when he was alive. What an awesome god we serve.

 

[selenah]

Dreams - hmmm
i dreamt a month ago i was given a silver car, moment i woke up i started praising God for that for i felt strongly it was from his throne of grace

Christmas day, someone who had been ripping me off subtlely in buisness contracts called after two years of not hearing from him gave me a silver car(good one)
(even when he was ripping me off id accept his excuses as to why and id keep thanking God and blessing him regardless - Gods way)

Had many dreams, not all have stirred my heart but the ones that have most have passed as dreamt and a few others by faith unwavering will come to pass

Yeahhh......I had a dream about a car once. It was completely rusty, didn't have any doors or windows, and cracked in half while I was driving it...........................

Anyways that's cool about you getting the car from the dream and everything.

 

[selenah]

THis dream shows that there is an influence of witchcraft in your life and the spirit behind it is attempting to bring you fear so that you do not fulfill the call of God on your life. Ask Jesus for His wisdom and revelation and Courage. Ask Holy Spirit for strategy as to how to overcome or get away from this influence.

​

But what would be an influence of witchcraft? I don't go see psychics or whatever. ​

 

[barukhmalachi]

An ungodly person making prophecy like in your dream can be tied to witchcraft. A psycic whether claiming to be good or not is witchcraft. I dont think maggiemay was saying you involved in it as much as it is spirit that may be working against you in some form or another. Witchcraft is a deception and since you felt trapped or powerless in your dream, it may indicate you being trapped in deception or not being able to see the truth about something that will have a bad effect on you. Clouds be a sign of depression or clouded judgement based on a deception. I also would encourage you to ask god for discernment of this dream and your situation outside of the dream

 

[resurrection33]

Okay lol sorry, another question about dreams but this dream stuff is really bothering me.


About a month or so ago the pastor at the church I go to had a Bible study on dreams. He said that dreams don't have any meaning or anything to them. I find it difficult to believe that because of..well alot of things. Like one time I was talking about something with this girl at church and jokingly said &quot;it's dejavu&quot; and she tells me that she dreams about things before they happen.


I'm wondering, what are different reasons why we have dreams?


How does someone know whether their dreams are from God, demons, or the subconscious?


I'm rather confused about how to approach this. Whenever I'm under alot of stress, sad, or whatever I have these incredibly vivid dreams where the people in them seem so real.

Just last night I had a dream where there was this woman who captured me and took me onto this ship (lol okay not an alien abduction ). It was so weird because I felt like a little child and just hid in the corner. After a while I started talking to these other people in the room and said something about it being cloudy outside. Then the lady who captured me is like &quot;the end is near.&quot; She started showing me these people being shot and she said &quot;You'll be dead before then but the government will kill them. Only a select few will survive.&quot; Sooo then there were all these people looking out this window at the moon. I told this person &quot;I have to look at it before I die.&quot;


Talk about creepy!


If it was demonic, I probably wouldn't be on here telling everyone but I'm still confused about what to make of the dream and similar previous dreams.

Is it best to just avoid thinking about it? Anyways, any thoughts?

I don’t think dreams generally have meanings. Sometimes they make us aware of things we hadn’t been aware of, though.