Is it advisable to write down your dreams in a journal? I heard people suggest writing dreams once you wake up in order to remember them better. Are there instances where it is not a good idea to write dreams down?
Dreams
- Thread starter CherieR
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I don't write dreams down that feel like temptations or lies. I'm not going to get into what those dreams are but I feel like if they are of the Lord, I will remember them regardless.
The biggest thing is to discern from whence the dream came. The Lord, YOU, or the enemy.
I write down dreams I feel are of the Lord and treasure them. The ones that I feel like came from me, I sometimes write down (I consider this subconscious feedback and useful) and the third category I just pray about. I don't write them down but I do "map them" (as in sort of walk back through it and cautiously gauge).
Oh and dreams that are very clearly warnings I almost always will at least sketch a rough outline and internalize.
It's a personal decision. Discernment is key. Also of note is that scripture appears to describe discernment as a practice/exercise so it's something that you have to be disciplined to employ and it will become more developed as you mature.
The biggest thing is to discern from whence the dream came. The Lord, YOU, or the enemy.
I write down dreams I feel are of the Lord and treasure them. The ones that I feel like came from me, I sometimes write down (I consider this subconscious feedback and useful) and the third category I just pray about. I don't write them down but I do "map them" (as in sort of walk back through it and cautiously gauge).
Oh and dreams that are very clearly warnings I almost always will at least sketch a rough outline and internalize.
It's a personal decision. Discernment is key. Also of note is that scripture appears to describe discernment as a practice/exercise so it's something that you have to be disciplined to employ and it will become more developed as you mature.
When we base guidance from the Lord on our dreams over His Word?
(Jer 23:28) Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD.
(Jer 23:29) Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
(Jer 23:30) Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal my words from one another.
(Jer 23:31) Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the LORD.’
(Jer 23:32) Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.
If I wrote down some of my dreams I’d be medicated, neutered and locked up in a mental institution with no exit doors.
Certainly bear in mind what scripture says about the prophets. Not the major ones that have books mind you but the ones that are only mentioned in passing. You KNOW you have insight...but it is critical to discern the source and be judicious with what you say. It WILL line up with the word if it is the Lord. Quite clearly. It may take some time, but the Lord is patient. If you are before someone the Lord's Spirit will teach you what to say in the moment.
You can actually learn quite a bit reading OT prophets in regard to the ones that were speaking from their own selves. Whether this was done intentionally or not I cannot say, except that it was clearly error. Pondering is fine, writing down is fine if you are uncertain. Posting publicly I don't EVER do for reasons that are vaguely mentioned in my posts and somewhat clearly defined in scripture.
Also of note is how the Lord spoke to Moses which is defined in Numbers vs how the Lord spoke with prophets. It is not "as" clear and it is certainly possible for a prophet to err. I'm not saying that all dreamers are prophets or anything or what this office means presently (if it exists). Just bear it in mind.
You can actually learn quite a bit reading OT prophets in regard to the ones that were speaking from their own selves. Whether this was done intentionally or not I cannot say, except that it was clearly error. Pondering is fine, writing down is fine if you are uncertain. Posting publicly I don't EVER do for reasons that are vaguely mentioned in my posts and somewhat clearly defined in scripture.
Also of note is how the Lord spoke to Moses which is defined in Numbers vs how the Lord spoke with prophets. It is not "as" clear and it is certainly possible for a prophet to err. I'm not saying that all dreamers are prophets or anything or what this office means presently (if it exists). Just bear it in mind.
Again, thought provoking and meaningful. When I first read the Word, just after receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit, I would share everything with any one and everyone who came my way on campus. Because I was jsust going through the wWord for the fist time, and very zealous, the Holy Spirit was always present, and many times I would share things from the Word before having read it. I learned from hearing myself much of the time.It was not from me. I would then read dthe very thing I had said, and it all seemed quite natural.
One of those times I had gone to the washroom, and there in the frame of the mirror was what loooked to be a business card. I reead it, and realized it was something I had read before, and recently. Sitting down in the Illini Union I reopened my Bible, and there, the last thing I had read I had also underscored with pen, and it was the quote on the card from the mirror. It was the scripture about whoever will gain his life will lose itetc.
TThere were many events afdter this in those wonderful three years before going to Israel that were incredibly given jusst to me for to help others, but at that time I had given all of me to learn of the Jesus, Yeshua, and dthe period ended with just one more miracle..............going to Israel...
Do not believe me...........but do believe these thins occur and are not so rare as many would have believers think.
God bless you Mil.....
One of those times I had gone to the washroom, and there in the frame of the mirror was what loooked to be a business card. I reead it, and realized it was something I had read before, and recently. Sitting down in the Illini Union I reopened my Bible, and there, the last thing I had read I had also underscored with pen, and it was the quote on the card from the mirror. It was the scripture about whoever will gain his life will lose itetc.
TThere were many events afdter this in those wonderful three years before going to Israel that were incredibly given jusst to me for to help others, but at that time I had given all of me to learn of the Jesus, Yeshua, and dthe period ended with just one more miracle..............going to Israel...
Do not believe me...........but do believe these thins occur and are not so rare as many would have believers think.
God bless you Mil.....
It is probably not a good idea to get too involved with dreams. It is even better just to forget them and deal with reality.
Don't agree with two posters above me. Certainly if you interact with dreams in a "horoscopey" fashion then I would agree.
Tons of literature out there interpreting dreams in this fashion as well and is of practically no use.
In general though? FAR too much in scripture to take that position in entirety.
I super appreciate being able to ski for free lol. Don't have any control over stuff like that, but it's nice when it happens. Those are "Me" dreams though
Much like "hmm I had a nice day at the park".
Tons of literature out there interpreting dreams in this fashion as well and is of practically no use.
In general though? FAR too much in scripture to take that position in entirety.
I super appreciate being able to ski for free lol. Don't have any control over stuff like that, but it's nice when it happens. Those are "Me" dreams though
Much like "hmm I had a nice day at the park".
M
Miri
Guest
I write all of, what I consider to be Godly dreams down. Many have come true, several have given me more insight into the word.
Most have been food for thought about my own spiritual life.
I would say that if you think you are having dreams from God, He will confirm it to you. They also have a different feel to them than normal dreams. It’s hard to explain but you will know what I mean if you have one.
If you don’t think you are having Godly dreams there’s no point writing them down.
Most have been food for thought about my own spiritual life.
I would say that if you think you are having dreams from God, He will confirm it to you. They also have a different feel to them than normal dreams. It’s hard to explain but you will know what I mean if you have one.
If you don’t think you are having Godly dreams there’s no point writing them down.
hmm interesting I guess there wouldn’t be some passages in the Bible if someone didn’t mention them.
I assume it wasn't a bad idea for Joseph “Mary’s husband” to listen to his dream.
Absolutely, you can write your dreams down! Even if they don't make sense, the Holy Spirit will reveal them to you over time. Do spend most of your time studying the Word of God. A dream from God will line up with the Word of God.
I have to admit, as of yet, I never have written any of my dreams down....just never thought to do it. I think I will start writing them down.
Thanks for the inspiration, @CherieR! 
M
Miri
Guest
Absolutely, you can write your dreams down! Even if they don't make sense, the Holy Spirit will reveal them to you over time. Do spend most of your time studying the Word of God. A dream from God will line up with the Word of God.
I have to admit, as of yet, I never have written any of my dreams down....just never thought to do it. I think I will start writing them down.
Oh yes you must write Godly dreams down, I had one around 5 years ago which made no sense at all. It all came true in September this year.
L
Locoponydirtman
Guest
Unless you are trying to analyze the way your subconscious mind processes information from day to day, what would be the point?
Are you in phycological counseling?
(There nothing wrong with it, maybe we all could use some help understanding how we process our experiences).
Or are you tring and find some secret message from God that needs decoded so you can know his plan?
Are you in phycological counseling?
(There nothing wrong with it, maybe we all could use some help understanding how we process our experiences).
Or are you tring and find some secret message from God that needs decoded so you can know his plan?
It is significant to note that nowhere in the New Testament are Christians instructed about dealing with dreams. While they had significance in the Old Testament (and only from time to time) we have the complete written Word of God for all our needs (2 Tim 3:16,17).
Dreams are not prophetic visions, and too often they have nothing to do with divine revelation.
Matt 2
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Matt27
29 While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him."
Acts 2
17 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:
just to name a few,
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Matt27
29 While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him."
Acts 2
17 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:
just to name a few,
M
Miri
Guest
ok
I get that people who have not experienced dreams from God, will find it hard to
understand, but God is not limited in the way he speaks to people and we are not talking
about new words from God. Such Dreams do not contradict His word.
I’ve given some of these examples before but anyway here goes a few examples of Godly
dreams I have had. I will hopefully be able to give a few of the different types.
1) warning - I had a dream that I was outside in the street and a large dog came running up to me.
It went to bite me on the leg, but as it did I saw it only had one tooth. As it bit me it’s one tooth
fell out and it’s gum started bleeding, in the dream I actually felt sorry for the dog and I kept getting
a phrase that it was a toothless dog.
In reality a few weeks later I was on my way to church, it was the first service so early on and
no one else was around. As I walked to the bus stop, I saw this large Japanese Akita running loose
across the road it had some rope it was dragging behind it so it seemed it had been tied up.
It ran across to my side of the pavement further up the road, so I crossed over to avoid it.
But then it crossed back over the road so I crossed to the opposite side. Then it suddenly
darted towards me. I was terrified but then I remembered the dream and I muttered and
prayed under my breath that it was a toothless dog! I started just walking away hoping
it would ignore me. But instead it ran straight up to me, bumped its nose against the
back of my leg and ran off.
In fact it ran off so fast I didn’t at first see where it want, then I saw it running across some
fields. Phew was I relieved, honestly I think if I hadn’t been so calm and remembered the dream
I would have panicked and been bitten.
2). Comfort - I had a dream that I saw a pair of hands and in them was a large piece of blue
misshapen geometric plastic. The hands closed around it and moulded it like play dough.
They opened back up and in them was a massive sparking flawless diamond. I believe God
was showing me how He shapes us and how valuable we are to Him. Even if we think we
are useless and of no value. The other thing is plastic is man made whereas Diamond is
God made. The world shapes us into what it wants but God has other ideas.
This dream was several years ago, I’ve had people come up to me a few times since and
saw they saw a vision or picture of a massive diamond. The last time was early this year
when someone said to me (a complete stranger by the way), that I saw myself as nothing
but God saw a diamond!
3) Dreams of understanding of the Bible - I’ve had a number of these over the years,
most are very long but a short simple one. I good few years back I was really confused
about the trinity. I got that God was God and Jesus was Jesus, but the Holy Spirit really
confused me. I didn’t know if He was a power, an actual ghost or some sort of symbolic thingy.
Then one day during an afternoon nap, I had a dream that I was looking at an open book,
but instead of 2 pages I was looking down at 3 pages. On each page was a picture of the head and
shoulders of a person with a description under each picture. I read the description and looked
at the pictures, then I started to wake up. In that moment between sleep and waking I understood
that I was looking at pictures of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! It was then
that i realised the Holy Spirit is a person not a thing or a force.
When I was fully awake I was only left with the interpretation of the dream and I couldn’t
recall what they actually looked like or what the description said under each one. But wow
what a lesson from God about the trinity!
In other similar dreams I have been taught about the Passover, about Abraham and Isaac,
about how God sees the blood of the lamb in us, about the transfiguration of Jesus. I’ve seen
Dreams which confirm how Jesus transforms us, how we were like grass but now something much
more precious and eternal. I know how John felt when he tasted the scroll and it was like
honey, I’ve tasted the bible in a similar way.
I’ve had prophetic dreams about my own life which have come true.
I’ve had dreams about my church which has come true. One recently in a very dramatic way.
I’ve had occasions where I’ve had dreams one after the other like episodes up to 3 in
the same night all following on from each other. I’ve had times I had the same dream 3 nights
running as if to emphasise it.
I’ve had dreams within dreams where sometimes I had a dream then the interpretation was
given as well.
I had a dream about a friend’s elderly mother in law who she looked after, that it was time
for her to go. God showed me her in hospital and then leaving it being pushed in a wheelchair
through a door and then going into another place like a massive blue dome with all sorts of ornate designs on the dome part. It was a place of peace and freedom and place where she was set free.
I shared this dream with my friend but I didn’t share the interpretation with her. I left her to think
about it. A few days later her mother in law died. My friend later rang me and said to me,
that dream was about her wasn’t it. I said yes, I think God wanted you to know she is with Him now.
She said she knew as her mother in law had given her life to Christ just before she died.
Many years ago I was healed of sleep walking in a dream.
By the way God uses the same symbolism in a person’s dreams so they can
understand them. So for example I came to understand that the colour sky blue
represents the Holy Spirit.
So you see Godly dreams never contradict the bible, they are their to exhort, encourage,
give insight and understanding, give wisdom, give warnings, to even convict, or confirm
that a path or direction taken in life is the correct one.
This whole assumption people have, that Godly dreams mean some sort of new revelation,
is incorrect. No one who has genuine Godly dreams would ever claim to be given a new
revelation, as this is not what they are for.
Phew now I’ve got that off my chest, normal transmission can resume. Lol.
I get that people who have not experienced dreams from God, will find it hard to
understand, but God is not limited in the way he speaks to people and we are not talking
about new words from God. Such Dreams do not contradict His word.
I’ve given some of these examples before but anyway here goes a few examples of Godly
dreams I have had. I will hopefully be able to give a few of the different types.
1) warning - I had a dream that I was outside in the street and a large dog came running up to me.
It went to bite me on the leg, but as it did I saw it only had one tooth. As it bit me it’s one tooth
fell out and it’s gum started bleeding, in the dream I actually felt sorry for the dog and I kept getting
a phrase that it was a toothless dog.
In reality a few weeks later I was on my way to church, it was the first service so early on and
no one else was around. As I walked to the bus stop, I saw this large Japanese Akita running loose
across the road it had some rope it was dragging behind it so it seemed it had been tied up.
It ran across to my side of the pavement further up the road, so I crossed over to avoid it.
But then it crossed back over the road so I crossed to the opposite side. Then it suddenly
darted towards me. I was terrified but then I remembered the dream and I muttered and
prayed under my breath that it was a toothless dog! I started just walking away hoping
it would ignore me. But instead it ran straight up to me, bumped its nose against the
back of my leg and ran off.
In fact it ran off so fast I didn’t at first see where it want, then I saw it running across some
fields. Phew was I relieved, honestly I think if I hadn’t been so calm and remembered the dream
I would have panicked and been bitten.
2). Comfort - I had a dream that I saw a pair of hands and in them was a large piece of blue
misshapen geometric plastic. The hands closed around it and moulded it like play dough.
They opened back up and in them was a massive sparking flawless diamond. I believe God
was showing me how He shapes us and how valuable we are to Him. Even if we think we
are useless and of no value. The other thing is plastic is man made whereas Diamond is
God made. The world shapes us into what it wants but God has other ideas.
This dream was several years ago, I’ve had people come up to me a few times since and
saw they saw a vision or picture of a massive diamond. The last time was early this year
when someone said to me (a complete stranger by the way), that I saw myself as nothing
but God saw a diamond!
3) Dreams of understanding of the Bible - I’ve had a number of these over the years,
most are very long but a short simple one. I good few years back I was really confused
about the trinity. I got that God was God and Jesus was Jesus, but the Holy Spirit really
confused me. I didn’t know if He was a power, an actual ghost or some sort of symbolic thingy.
Then one day during an afternoon nap, I had a dream that I was looking at an open book,
but instead of 2 pages I was looking down at 3 pages. On each page was a picture of the head and
shoulders of a person with a description under each picture. I read the description and looked
at the pictures, then I started to wake up. In that moment between sleep and waking I understood
that I was looking at pictures of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! It was then
that i realised the Holy Spirit is a person not a thing or a force.
When I was fully awake I was only left with the interpretation of the dream and I couldn’t
recall what they actually looked like or what the description said under each one. But wow
what a lesson from God about the trinity!
In other similar dreams I have been taught about the Passover, about Abraham and Isaac,
about how God sees the blood of the lamb in us, about the transfiguration of Jesus. I’ve seen
Dreams which confirm how Jesus transforms us, how we were like grass but now something much
more precious and eternal. I know how John felt when he tasted the scroll and it was like
honey, I’ve tasted the bible in a similar way.
I’ve had prophetic dreams about my own life which have come true.
I’ve had dreams about my church which has come true. One recently in a very dramatic way.
I’ve had occasions where I’ve had dreams one after the other like episodes up to 3 in
the same night all following on from each other. I’ve had times I had the same dream 3 nights
running as if to emphasise it.
I’ve had dreams within dreams where sometimes I had a dream then the interpretation was
given as well.
I had a dream about a friend’s elderly mother in law who she looked after, that it was time
for her to go. God showed me her in hospital and then leaving it being pushed in a wheelchair
through a door and then going into another place like a massive blue dome with all sorts of ornate designs on the dome part. It was a place of peace and freedom and place where she was set free.
I shared this dream with my friend but I didn’t share the interpretation with her. I left her to think
about it. A few days later her mother in law died. My friend later rang me and said to me,
that dream was about her wasn’t it. I said yes, I think God wanted you to know she is with Him now.
She said she knew as her mother in law had given her life to Christ just before she died.
Many years ago I was healed of sleep walking in a dream.
By the way God uses the same symbolism in a person’s dreams so they can
understand them. So for example I came to understand that the colour sky blue
represents the Holy Spirit.
So you see Godly dreams never contradict the bible, they are their to exhort, encourage,
give insight and understanding, give wisdom, give warnings, to even convict, or confirm
that a path or direction taken in life is the correct one.
This whole assumption people have, that Godly dreams mean some sort of new revelation,
is incorrect. No one who has genuine Godly dreams would ever claim to be given a new
revelation, as this is not what they are for.
Phew now I’ve got that off my chest, normal transmission can resume. Lol.