Gift of dream interpretation
I am eager to hear what God is telling me through my dreams but I don’t think I have a gift of dream interpretation.
“God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams” (Daniel 1:17). Joseph or Daniel were given the gift of interpretation of dreams—both of their own and others (i.e. Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar). This was before the Holy Spirit was given to us all. Now we can all hear from God the interpretation of our dreams—we look to the Holy Spirit to speak to our own hearts for the meaning of our dreams. (Dreams in the Bible)
Joseph helped non-believers by giving them God’s interpretation of their dream but I don’t think that there is a gift of dream interpretation anymore. God now speaks to everyone through their dreams whether they choose to listen or not. Understanding our dreams is just a matter of reading the Bible and practice. The closer we get to God the more he will give us understanding of our dreams.
There are plenty of examples in the Bible where people heard from God in there dreams. After reading the Bible twice, I find there are even more examples of people hearing from God but not telling how they heard. I believe that many of them heard through their dreams, that it was an accepted fact that people heard through their dreams and so they didn’t need to mention it was a dream. Western culture tends to reject dreams. Middle-eastern culture (e.g. Jewish) is probably more accepting of dreams as guidance from God.
Most important is: DONT EXPECT ANY ILLUMINATION OF SCRIPTURE OR DREAMS IF YOU DON”T HAVE A TIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH God.
I agree with Herman Riffle who says that most dreams are diagnostic or prognostic (a forecast of the probable course) and a very small proportion of dreams are prophetic (a supernatural message from God concerning the future). I blogged about one prophetic dream I had here: God’s promise fulfilled. Is this a confirmation that I have a spiritual gift of prophecy? I don’t think that is the case either. I believe God gives all of us both prognostic and prophetic dreams about our lives. Maybe when it’s a dream that is prophetic about other’s lives and even nations does it get on the level of a spiritual gift of prophecy.
March 30th, 2010 at 2:51 am
That is interesting, and I agree that you are right that there is not enough teaching on dreams, when quite clearly the bible has condoned dream interpretation as normal in the bible. Perhaps the danger is when one is not open to the things of the Lord, and more so vessels for the enemy? (I wonder then if dreams can be used as a tool for the enemy?, or if the danger lies for the spirit of deceit to use dreams much like counterfiet gifts?) Do you think that dreams can be used as a form of warning? As this could come under what you described as a prognostic or prophetic dream…and then what are the point of these dreams? Just to have dicernment into what is happening, or to use wisdom and act accordingly. This then could be taken to the level where you are running around a bit fruity like, reacting to things. It didn’t seem Joseph acted because of his dreams, except in the case where he advised the king to fill the storehouse in preperation for the famine…Ahhh. Funny, I think I might have just answered my own Q. Thanks again for the posts!
March 30th, 2010 at 7:36 am
Thanks Brydie, I believe dreams can’t be a counterfeit gift because they aren’t a gift. They are just one way God speaks to us. I am still not sure if every dream is a message from Him but in my experience half of my dreams do seem to be His voice and the other half may not or I just didn’t understand the message. But He is faithful to repeat the message until we get it.
I don’t know whether the enemy uses our dreams or not but in my personal experience, as a Christian, I don’t see that as the case. However, if we turn away from God, like Saul did, this may happen:
“Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.” 1 Sam. 16:14