The Christian walk is a daily battle between the flesh and the spirit and like any battle, it is full of sneak attacks, covert operations and constantly evolving tactics. In order to win the daily battles (as we know the war has already been won) we have to expect the unexpected and be on the lookout for anything that looks, sounds or even "smells" different.
What I'm talking about are church fads... trends that invade the body of Christ and if left unchecked could draw people away from a relevant walk with our Saviour. The bible refers to these as "winds of doctrines" (Eph 4:14) If we look back, we can see some winds that have taken hold of believers at some level. The contemporary service, the move to rename churches and make them "cooler", the "Purpose-Driven Church" fad and so on have all had their day. Actually the "cool" church fad seems to be still going strong. As a graphic designer, I continually run across churches that want a new logo to communicate how "modern" they are and how it should avoid traditional images such as crosses, doves etc.
It is a another fad however, that has me concerned and that is the "dream interpretation" fad. Over the last decade or so there has been a concerted effort to evangelize and to experience Christian growth through the interpretation of dreams. You can find scores of sites, books and even ministries that deal in little else but what dreaming of a freshly baked loaf of bread means... (which apparently varies from "interpreter" to "interpreter"). Before you get your back up, I am all for any genuine move of the Spirit of Yahweh and I am looking forward to the time when, as it states in Joel 2:28-29;
It is a another fad however, that has me concerned and that is the "dream interpretation" fad. Over the last decade or so there has been a concerted effort to evangelize and to experience Christian growth through the interpretation of dreams. You can find scores of sites, books and even ministries that deal in little else but what dreaming of a freshly baked loaf of bread means... (which apparently varies from "interpreter" to "interpreter"). Before you get your back up, I am all for any genuine move of the Spirit of Yahweh and I am looking forward to the time when, as it states in Joel 2:28-29;
"And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days."
If this recent interest in dreams and interpretations is in fact the beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy, then I praise the Father for His work, however what I see happening lately does not seem to match up with any recorded occurrence in the Word of God regarding dreams and interpretations. According to the prophecy above it seems clear that the dreams and visions being granted will be for the purposes of evangelizing the world, which does not seem to be the result in the current phenomena.
In the Bible, almost all instances where dreams were given by Yahweh had these common elements:
In the Bible, almost all instances where dreams were given by Yahweh had these common elements:
1) The dream was clearly not a "normal" dream. It was often unsettling, even scary to the dreamer but definitely left a strong impression.
2) There is no account whereby a man or woman of God was called to interpret a dream for another believer... only to unbelievers.
3) The dream always glorified Yahweh as Sovereign.
When an occurrence of a dream doesn't fit that model, I would encourage caution. Dream interpretation has been in wide use in the occult and the new age movement for ages and for good reason. It frankly is very appealing... to wake up knowing whether to take that promotion or whether uncle Joe will be coming for Thanksgiving is a real stress reliever. Unfortunately that desire is the same spirit that has been at work since the tower of Babel, the desire to replace a quiet submission to the Word and will of God and somehow take the reigns up ourselves. It is dangerously close to the whole psychic phenomena and simply attaching a "Christian" name to it does not change it's intention and source. Seriously, the flesh does not want to wait for the Father to work out a situation to His liking when it can simply call up "brother Dave" and get an immediate "fortune" and then walk it out ourselves. This is what the pagans do and it concerns me.
If you have had a dream that you strongly suspect is from the Father, ask Him for the interpretation. As the famous dreamer Joseph said, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" If the dream was a message to you and yours from heaven, then the biblical model suggests that the meaning will be given to you from heaven. Once received, if the interpretation does not glorify Yahweh and seems somehow to go against Scripture then it should be discarded. There were instances in the Old Testament (Ezekiel and Jeremiah) where false prophets were deceiving the people with false dreams. Believers know that any tool Yahweh uses, will be counterfeited by the enemy, so be on guard.
As the times ahead become more uncertain, the pull to get instant guidance will also increase. However, we have a more sure Word that the Holy Spirit will help us into all truth but it will require a child-like faith that does not need to know all of the fine details (another common theme with the modern interpretation fad).
Update...
I had stopped writing this blog to wait for the following day. During my devotional the next morning I ran across several passages that seemed to really speak to this issue and the possible spirit that drives this phenomenon.
Ezekiel 13:2-3 - “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’” Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets,who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
In closing, I am not against genuine moves of the Holy Spirit. I am a believer in divine dreams and again, I look forward to an immense outpouring of the Spirit in which the people of Yahweh will dream, see visions and prophecy and turn many to Him but this current trend does not seem to be 100% a move of the Father. Be cautious and seek a deeper understanding.
Blessings
3) The dream always glorified Yahweh as Sovereign.
When an occurrence of a dream doesn't fit that model, I would encourage caution. Dream interpretation has been in wide use in the occult and the new age movement for ages and for good reason. It frankly is very appealing... to wake up knowing whether to take that promotion or whether uncle Joe will be coming for Thanksgiving is a real stress reliever. Unfortunately that desire is the same spirit that has been at work since the tower of Babel, the desire to replace a quiet submission to the Word and will of God and somehow take the reigns up ourselves. It is dangerously close to the whole psychic phenomena and simply attaching a "Christian" name to it does not change it's intention and source. Seriously, the flesh does not want to wait for the Father to work out a situation to His liking when it can simply call up "brother Dave" and get an immediate "fortune" and then walk it out ourselves. This is what the pagans do and it concerns me.
If you have had a dream that you strongly suspect is from the Father, ask Him for the interpretation. As the famous dreamer Joseph said, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" If the dream was a message to you and yours from heaven, then the biblical model suggests that the meaning will be given to you from heaven. Once received, if the interpretation does not glorify Yahweh and seems somehow to go against Scripture then it should be discarded. There were instances in the Old Testament (Ezekiel and Jeremiah) where false prophets were deceiving the people with false dreams. Believers know that any tool Yahweh uses, will be counterfeited by the enemy, so be on guard.
As the times ahead become more uncertain, the pull to get instant guidance will also increase. However, we have a more sure Word that the Holy Spirit will help us into all truth but it will require a child-like faith that does not need to know all of the fine details (another common theme with the modern interpretation fad).
Update...
I had stopped writing this blog to wait for the following day. During my devotional the next morning I ran across several passages that seemed to really speak to this issue and the possible spirit that drives this phenomenon.
Ezekiel 13:2-3 - “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’” Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets,who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
Ezekiel 13:6-9 - They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord!’ But the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The Lord says,’ but I have not spoken.” he Lord says,’ but I have not spoken.” Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD. “My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies;
Ezekiel 13:17 - “Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their ownheart;
And then finally, another verse that was brought to my attention.
1 Thess 5:21-22 - Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
In closing, I am not against genuine moves of the Holy Spirit. I am a believer in divine dreams and again, I look forward to an immense outpouring of the Spirit in which the people of Yahweh will dream, see visions and prophecy and turn many to Him but this current trend does not seem to be 100% a move of the Father. Be cautious and seek a deeper understanding.
Blessings
Good teaching on proper application of dreams and visions per God's word.
ReplyDeleteToo much sensation with our imagination and subscribing all dreams to God is inaccurate. We can dream out of our won life experiences. When the His Spirit speaks to us in a dream we will have a sense of reverential fear and yet purpose. Good information to go forward with.