SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN DREAMS

Spiritual Warfare in dreams describes a variety of unusual or troubling nighttime encounters with the kingdom of darkness and how we counteract them. Indeed, a dark dream can weigh on a dreamer’s mind for weeks, months, or even years until the meaning is understood. Can a dreamer prevent a negative message from manifesting? How should the dreamer respond?

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT IN DREAMS

Is the dark always from the kingdom of darkness? Just as there are different dimensions of light, there are various kinds of darkness. For example, Satan can transform himself into an angel of light, while God, the true Light, sometimes hides Himself where we cannot see Him (2 Corinthians 11:14, Psalm 97.2).

We must not only determine the source and meaning of a dark dream but also discern how to respond appropriately.

• Did the dark dream originate from the kingdom of darkness to cause fear or distraction?
• Is the dream a warning from the Lord with an invitation to respond?
• Or is God using the dark dream to train us in the seer gifts and spiritual discernment?

A dream that brings a flood of negative emotions and offers no explicit instruction or solution may not have come from God, no matter how bright. God convicts us of sin but does not condemn us. Generally, dreams from the Holy Spirit are vivid and colorful, reveal God or His Kingdom, provide directives, and solve problems.

However, there are exceptions. If God has spoken repeatedly to us, but we have not heeded His warnings, He may send a dark dream to capture our attention (Job 33:14-33, NKJV).

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN INVISIBLE DIMENSIONS

Spiritual warfare occurs against enemies in invisible dimensions and ranking agents in the second heavens who control their activities (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). We could be in the midst of a raging battle and not perceive the source of the problems that bombard our lives and thoughts. Yet, these locations and sources become visible and accessible in our dreams.

Many Scriptures suggest that God created us to predominantly “see” through our spiritual eyes.

God is a Spirit. And God is Light (1John 1:5, NKJV). Furthermore, when our eyes are full of light, our whole body becomes full of light (Matthew 6:22).

• Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from your law. (Psalm 119:18, NKJV).
• For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. (Proverbs 4:18, NASB)

In short, I believe man lost the ability to see with the Fall in the Garden of Eden. When our Enemy, a liar from the beginning, promised Adam and Eve their eyes would “open” to knowledge, he intentionally did not mention that their spiritual eyes of understanding would dim (Genesis 3:4-11, Ephesians 1:18, NKJV).

STRATEGIES FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN DREAMS

It is important to note that even though dark dreams provide information, they do not reveal God’s plans or revelation. So even if we “search out” Satan’s “deep secrets,” this dark knowledge is limited and cannot discern God’s Light (Revelation 2:24).

So, how can we fight against what we cannot see? According to the Scriptures, the activities of the invisible precede and supersede the visible. As a man thinks in his heart, so he is. (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV)

 For the weapons of our warfare are not ^[carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4)

We can learn how to respond to non-carnal entities with spiritual weapons that we can see and that are full of God’s Light. As we begin to discern these tools in God’s Word and pursue the Kingdom of Heaven (the Kingdom of Light) we are taught how to keep darkness at bay. So that when we are asleep and the enemy reveals itself through our dreams, we are thoroughly prepared to win those battles in the spirit realm while asleep or as soon as we awaken.

BECOMING A DREAM WARRIOR

The Word of God provides defensive and offensive weapons to make us victorious. Specific weapons and tools meet each challenge. These tools include the Blood of Jesus, Fire, brooms, swords, binding and loosing, and others hidden in the pages of the Scriptures. We can achieve victory by dwelling in Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, meditating on His Word (Psalm 119:105), and faithfully using our weapons in His Name. Sadly, many Christians quote the word but rarely use it as a weapon until the enemy attacks.

In the third course of our Dream Meanings series, Becoming a Dream Warrior, we explore dark dream sources, causes, and purpose, along with several examples of types of dark dreams and strategies to overcome them. We discuss

• spiritual warfare in dreams with
• defensive and offensive weapons
• intercession
• deliverance and self-deliverance ministry
• and lucid dreaming (from the soul versus the Spirit)

The Becoming a Dream Warrior course (4 hours) will launch on 8.8.24. Registered students will be invited to two live group sessions (an additional 3-4 hours) with instruction and Q&A. This course may be for you if you are a vivid dreamer or are interested in spiritual warfare, deliverance ministry, or prophetic intercession. Or perhaps (as I used to be), you are simply fed up with night encounters and nightmares and are ready to conquer them.

We take a proactive approach to spiritual warfare. This means, we battle even when the day is sunny, and all seems peaceful. Why? Because the best defense is to take an offensive position Do you know what? It works! While we cannot stop living in the world, we can learn to keep the darkness of this world out of our lives. Amen!

Thumbnail Image author faestock at depositphotos.com

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