The Authority of Dreams and Visions

[marks]

Question . . .

If Dreams and Visions have authority, why are they not all received as such?

It's been pointed out that people tend to have "dreams and visions" that complement their particular theology, or eschatology. Why is that?

Others reject their dreams and visions because they disagree on the theology.

Why would someone reject a vision as being from God because it disagrees with their view, rather than change their view to what was in the vision? What other reasons are there that we may not receive a dream or vision as being from God?

How is our sense of discernment affected by the views we hold?

Just some wonderings . . .

Much love!

 

[Waiting on him]

Question . . .

If Dreams and Visions have authority, why are they not all received as such?

It's been pointed out that people tend to have "dreams and visions" that complement their particular theology, or eschatology. Why is that?

Others reject their dreams and visions because they disagree on the theology.

Why would someone reject a vision as being from God because it disagrees with their view, rather than change their view to what was in the vision? What other reasons are there that we may not receive a dream or vision as being from God?

How is our sense of discernment affected by the views we hold?

Just some wonderings . . .

Much love!

This in my opinion was a gifting of the Spirit in the first century too the fulfilling of scripture. And also people need to remember that Giftings of the Spirit are to the edifying of the body.

 

[marks]

And also people need to remember that Giftings of the Spirit are to the edifying if the body.

That's a really good point!

The diversity of ideas that come from visions and dreams seem to add to the divisions, and create confusion. And we know confusion is not from God!

Much love!

 

[Waiting on him]

That's a really good point!

The diversity of ideas that come from visions and dreams seem to add to the divisions, and create confusion. And we know confusion is not from God!

Much love!

I don’t fully understand, why we would need dreams and visions in this age, as the scripture is complete. We possess the word of God and the narrative.

 

[Pearl]

I have had lots of what I think of as 'God dreams', most of them have been personal but occasionally worth sharing with somebody else if I feel it would help them. I always recognise them because I still remember them clearly after I wake up. And I always ask God to show me the meaning of them - and he does. And always it's been uplifting.

 

[marks]

I don’t fully understand, why we would need dreams and visions in this age, as the scripture is complete. We possess the word of God and the narrative.

I believe that God gives greater understanding to His Word through various means. I think that God also gives personal directions to us, again, through various means.

I think that some people have the tendency to want more, and to want more so much that they can come up with this stuff on thier own. The more practiced one becomes, the better it can sound.

Much love!

 

[marks]

I have had lots of what I think of as 'God dreams', most of them have been personal but occasionally worth sharing with somebody else if I feel it would help them. I always recognise them because I still remember them clearly after I wake up. And I always ask God to show me the meaning of them - and he does. And always it's been uplifting.

Hi Pearl,

This is something I've come to expect also, that God will show us what He wants to tell us. I don't think He throws a bunch of confusion at us.

Much love!

 

[reformed1689]

I wouldn't say dreams have authority. They should always be checked against Scripture.

 

[farouk]

I don’t fully understand, why we would need dreams and visions in this age, as the scripture is complete. We possess the word of God and the narrative.

Amen and Amen!

 

[farouk]

This in my opinion was a gifting of the Spirit in the first century too the fulfilling of scripture. And also people need to remember that Giftings of the Spirit are to the edifying of the body.

So often the so called gifts are pursued as what amounts to self-indulgence...

 

[Waiting on him]

So often the so called gifts are pursued as what amounts to self-indulgence...

Well certainly, everyone wants special attention.

 

[Waiting on him]

We have to be very careful as too what we attribute too the Holy Spirit, if it is vanity we are guilty of taking His name in vain. This in my opinion would be blasphemy.

 

[farouk]

We have to be very careful as too what we attribute too the Holy Spirit, if it is vanity we are guilty of taking His name in vain. This in my opinion would be blasphemy.

We need to be very careful; yes.

Since Scripture is so rich and deep, what baffles me is why some ppl can actually prefer their imagination and dreams to God's precious Word...

 

[marks]

We need to be very careful; yes.

Since Scripture is so rich and deep, what baffles me is why some ppl can actually prefer their imagination and dreams to God's precious Word...

Hi farouk,

What about when God reveals to us these ways truths from His Word we hadn't seen before?

Much love!

 

[marks]

I want to be clear . . . I didn't want to start this thread with the idea that God doesn't give dreams and visions. I was hoping for a discussion on how we can with clarity discern the veracity of someone's dream or vision.

@David Taylor gave the simply answer, to check against Scripture.

Since Scripture is so rich and deep, what baffles me is why some ppl can actually prefer their imagination and dreams to God's precious Word...

Not everyone may have the fuller understanding from the Word, and may need a little help, perhaps? Might not God reveal in these ways something likewise taught in Scripture?

Although to be sure, I find such disparity between people's dreams and visions that obviously at least most of them aren't from God.

How to tell which?

Much love!

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Question . . .

If Dreams and Visions have authority, why are they not all received as such?

It's been pointed out that people tend to have "dreams and visions" that complement their particular theology, or eschatology. Why is that?

Others reject their dreams and visions because they disagree on the theology.

Why would someone reject a vision as being from God because it disagrees with their view, rather than change their view to what was in the vision? What other reasons are there that we may not receive a dream or vision as being from God?

How is our sense of discernment affected by the views we hold?

Just some wonderings . . .

Much love!

I see dreams and visions given by God as one way that He communicates with us. We see this throughout the Bible. The dreams and visions God has given me pertain to what's going on in life. In another thread, I mentioned a dream I had where God told me that my parents would be saved. A few years ago, a friend relayed a dream she had, and the Holy Spirit gave me an interpretation. Different things in the dream represented various things in her life. It was very clear when the Holy Spirit showed me these things.

Personally, I haven't seen what you're saying, that conflicts with theology are a problem. But I would say that if anything clearly contradicts God's written Word, it should be discarded. I agree that we need to be careful about such things, just as we need to be careful about interpreting Bible passages.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Question . . .

If Dreams and Visions have authority, why are they not all received as such?

Interesting thread.

They only have authority when they are from God, such as Joseph's dream to take Mary and leave for Egypt.
When they are merely generated by our flesh, they do not have any authority because they are not coming from God.

It's been pointed out that people tend to have "dreams and visions" that complement their particular theology, or eschatology. Why is that?

Others reject their dreams and visions because they disagree on the theology.

Why would someone reject a vision as being from God because it disagrees with their view, rather than change their view to what was in the vision?

Because of what I explained above. Dreams can be from God, but they can also be fleshly and soulish. I have found from interpreting for people that the dreams most Christians have are unfortunately not from God, the primary reason being that most Christians do not spend very much time walking in the Spirit, as I alluded to in another thread.

What other reasons are there that we may not receive a dream or vision as being from God?

When it openly promotes sin would be one way.

How is our sense of discernment affected by the views we hold?

We close our ears to anything but our view, and our "discernment" (i.e. what we think is discernment but really isn't) tells us to discard a dream out of hand as not being from God.

 

[farouk]

I would say that if anything clearly contradicts God's written Word, it should be discarded.

Indeed so; especially since the Bible is now complete...

 

[Hidden In Him]

Indeed so; especially since the Bible is now complete...

I think the problem with this view, Farouk, is that dreams are prophetic in nature, and as such are designed to warn believers of coming dangers and encourage them regarding coming situations. That implies hearing from God regarding very specific events that are coming their way. Such things are not specifically discussed in scripture. Certainly scripture can be applied to present day situations, but scripture doesn't go into very specific details on the attacks you and I will face in the USA in the year 2020.

 

[farouk]

I think the problem with this view, Farouk, is that dreams are prophetic in nature, and as such are designed to warn believers of coming dangers and encourage them regarding coming situations. That implies hearing from God regarding very specific events that are coming their way. Such things are not specifically discussed in scripture. Certainly scripture can be applied to present day situations, but scripture doesn't go into very specific details on the attacks you and I will face in the USA in the year 2020.

...but Scripture is a sure guide to life; whereas I don't believe that dreams are...