They will dream…

They will dream

They will dreamWhat’s your favourite dream? I often dream that I can fly, and my favourite dream involves being able to climb to the top of a tall building, then simply walk off and pull up just before touching the ground. Sometimes, I have to check that I’m actually dreaming before leaping!

We all dream normally, but occasionally, God reveals Himself to us in our dreams. Sometimes, what God is communicating is clear and obvious; other times, we need to pray and seek counsel to make sense of it. We all dream, but we don’t always remember our dreams. I’m one of those people who have multiple dreams and can easily recall them upon waking.

I thought it might be useful for some of my readers to take a brief look at dreams, particularly in regard to the Christian walk, prophets, and prophecy. God’s people are a formidable community of dreamers!

An obvious starting point is Joel 2, where God’s promise of dreams, visions, and prophecy marks a pivotal moment in understanding how He communicates in these last days. Peter quotes it at Pentecost in Acts 2 to explain the turning-point outpouring of the Holy Spirit:

“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, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” (Joel 2:28–29, ESV)

For the charismatic community today, these verses are significant. They underscore that we’re now living in a time when God’s Spirit is moving widely, and every believer—young or old, male or female—can hear and share God’s heart. God is at work, speaking through prophecy, dreams, and visions—and basically, if you can breathe, you’re included! However, with this emphasis on hearing from God through various means, important questions arise as we consider the vast topic of dreams: Why are dreams not always treated with the same seriousness as prophecies? How should we discern and weigh them—do we need to? How trustworthy are they as a form of divine communication?

The Biblical Weight of Dreams

Dreams have always been part of God’s method or ‘toolkit’ for communication, stretching back through both the Old and New Testaments. We see them guiding and influencing figures like Joseph in Genesis—whose dreams impacted and shaped Israel’s future—or Daniel, who interpreted royal dreams in Babylon that revealed God’s plans, including the fate of fellow prisoners. Even in the New Testament, God warns and leads Joseph (Jesus’ earthly father) through dreams, protecting the Messiah and fulfilling prophecy.

These are not just random events; they are moments where God directly intervenes to steer His people. Yet, dreams are rarely straightforward. They are often symbolic, requiring careful interpretation and scrutiny, which is where discernment becomes crucial. The fact that dreams are embedded in Joel’s prophecy alongside prophecy and visions indicates they carry weight, especially in these “last days.” Because of their symbolic nature, dreams tend to be side-lined or not given the same level of scrutiny as more direct prophetic words.

Why Aren’t Dreams Weighed Like Prophecies?

In many charismatic settings, prophecy is weighed carefully—often before leadership teams or within trusted circles. There is a useful process involved: Does it align with Scripture? Does it resonate with the Spirit’s leading? Does it confirm what God is already speaking? However, dreams often do not receive the same treatment because they are typically packed with imagery and metaphor. Interpreting them is therefore tricky and requires discernment, not guesswork. This is important because we want the dream to reflect what God wants to communicate, rather than interpreting it through our own biases or interests. Compared to a straightforward prophetic word, dreams can seem murky and harder to pin down, but they are worth the prayer and diligence needed to make sense of them.

Many dreams feel more personal—God addressing the dreamer’s life or heart. They do not always carry a clear message for the wider church, so they are often kept private, shared only within small groups or trusted friendships. Despite this, they remain valuable and encouraging.

Prophecies are often clear or come with a sense of urgency or precision and can be responded to immediately. In contrast, dreams can be vague, easier to dismiss as “just a dream,” or get lost in the struggle of decoding symbols and emotions. I once had a dream in which I was driving a Jaguar XJ6 at 15 mph when I was stopped by a policeman and booked for going too slow. In the non-dream world (reality), I was in a time of discouragement, holding back in my involvement with ministry; this dream was an encouragement to ‘put my foot down’ again—to accelerate, or in modern parlance, to “pull my socks up and get with it!”

Some churches hold a high view of direct, spoken prophetic words (rhema), and dreams can seem less authoritative by comparison. This can lead to dreams being undervalued or overlooked. But should dreams be weighed less seriously? Scripture says no. Joel’s prophecy puts dreams on the same level as prophecy and visions, suggesting they are an integral and important part of how God communicates in our day. The big challenge is learning how to weigh and interpret them properly.

Weighing and Discerning Dreams

So, how do we weigh dreams? What’s the process? Although dreams are more complex than direct prophecies, we should approach them with the same seriousness.

We have to start somewhere. The first, most obvious, and important test is whether the content, theme, and general message of a dream align with Scripture. God doesn’t contradict Himself. If a dream leads you in a direction contrary to biblical teaching, it’s not from Him (see Galatians 1:8).

There’s a need for spiritual discernment—what the Bible calls the “inner witness” of the Spirit. Sometimes, even before you fully understand the dream, there’s a sense of peace, conviction, or a holy resonance indicating that the dream is from God. Perhaps that is why it’s generally older believers who receive dreams—visions are easier to grasp, whereas dreams require maturity in our walk with God and in our understanding of Scripture.

Just as prophecies are weighed in community (1 Corinthians 14:29), dreams can and should be brought into trusted circles for interpretation and confirmation before being shared publicly or acted upon. Leaders and mature believers can provide valuable perspective and help test the dream’s meaning, as well as determine what should, must, or can be done in response.

God often confirms His messages through various means—Scripture, prophetic words, or other believers. If a dream is genuinely from God, it won’t stand alone; He’ll back it up or confirm it in other ways. Not all dreams make sense immediately. Some require patience as their meaning unfolds over time, much like Joseph’s dreams in Genesis, which took years to come to fruition.

How Much Can Dreams Be Trusted?

Dreams aren’t automatically trustworthy, which is why discernment is crucial. However, they are a way in which God may choose to speak to us. The Bible clearly shows that not every dream is from God. Jeremiah warns of false dreams used to mislead (Jeremiah 23:25–32), and Ecclesiastes notes that dreams can simply be the result of daily worries (Ecclesiastes 5:3), akin to what some have cynically termed “pizza dreams.” Even in charismatic circles, where we eagerly expect God to speak, it’s important to remain realistic—some dreams are just the by-product of our busy minds, deception, or even our brains clearing away the “soot of life.”

Yet, when God does speak through dreams, they carry significant weight. The challenge lies in discerning when a dream is from God and when it’s not. This is why the process of testing and weighing dreams is so vital. While dreams may be more ambiguous than a clear prophetic word, they can still reveal astonishingly profound truths or guidance when correctly interpreted. For instance, I once had a dream about a church leader watching a boat with concern for the sailor aboard. In the dream (which was lengthy and I cannot fully recall here), God was showing that He had grace for the sailor and was going to help. Remarkably, it turned out that the leader (whom I had never met before) had a daughter named Sailor, and there were matters (that I mentioned to him) which God intended to assist with. So, don’t be quick to dismiss your dream as merely a “pizza dream.”

Are Dreams an Easier Way for God to Communicate?

Not really. God is an excellent communicator and in Sovereignty has all the power to get His message across at will. That said, dreams are accessible to everyone—just find a cosy place, close your eyes, count to 9,764, and maybe it will happen! Simply go to sleep and see what unfolds. They aren’t limited by intellectual ability, spiritual maturity, or even faith. Pharaoh in Genesis 41 and Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 weren’t believers, yet God used dreams to communicate with them. This broad accessibility highlights how inclusive God’s communication can be—you can always pray and ask God to speak to you in this way. Sleep is an ideal way for God to speak to you 365 days a year!

The good thing about dreams is that they also bypass our conscious defences. Sometimes God speaks to us in dreams because, when we’re awake, we’re too distracted or even resistant to hear Him—the barriers are down. While our minds rest, God can cut through the noise of life, engaging us in a way we’re more open to. However, just because dreams are accessible doesn’t mean they’re always clear. They often require interpretation, which adds a layer of complexity compared to more straightforward forms of prophecy. Start writing your dreams down as soon as you wake, and you’ll gradually begin to recall them more vividly.

Communicating with you

In conclusion, dreams are repeatedly highlighted in Scripture because they have always been a key part of how God communicates. They appear at significant turning points in redemptive history, guiding people, revealing God’s plans, and even warning of danger. The fact that Joel’s prophecy specifically mentions dreams is not merely an afterthought; it is a declaration that in this new era of the Spirit, God will use every available means to communicate with His people. God created Adam and Eve with the innate capacity to dream, and for it to be a means by which He could reveal Himself to them.

The fulfilment of Joel 2 at Pentecost marked a profound shift in how we understand prophetic ministry. The Old Testament model confined prophecy to a select few individuals, but post-Pentecost, the Spirit is poured out on all believers, making every Christian a potential participant in prophetic activity. Significantly for us, dreams are part of that broader prophetic expression, alongside visions and spoken prophecies.

Remember, it is not only the spiritual elite who receive God’s messages—there are no ‘elite’; it is everyone—men and women, young and old, even those considered least significant in society. This levelling of the prophetic playing field is central to what it means to be a Spirit-filled community today. Dreams are included in the wider scope of revelation, reminding us that God’s voice is as varied as the people He speaks through.

So, one final question—did Jesus dream?

Temptation

temptation

One of the first things you become aware of as a new follower of Jesus is the need to deal with sin. It’s not just that you need to understand and cherish that, upon repenting of your sin, a lifetime of sin is thoroughly dealt with by faith in the death of Christ in your place; the recurring problem is that you still continue to sin!

It’s as though we are good at sinning—really good at it—it’s what we do! What are we to do? Thankfully, the transformation that begins to change our lives as new Christians flows from the Holy Spirit’s work in us, producing a sanctified and empowered life. As the old saying goes, we are not what and who we used to be, but we are not yet who we will be. Transformation, renewal, and holiness are hallmarks of what is happening to, through, and within us day by day as we become more and more Christ-like. However, this doesn’t happen overnight, while temptation, sin, missing the mark, and wilful disobedience do! So, what about sin and temptation? If we are to change our behaviour, we need to see how sin and temptation sneak up on us, mug us, and overcome us—and what we can do about it.

A good start is to look at how the conversation between God and Cain before he kills his brother Abel serves as a wake-up call for all of us. God warns Cain that sin is like a predator lying in wait, ready to pounce, but he still has the ability to overcome it if he chooses to do what is right: “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7, ESV).

In this well-known verse, sin is depicted as something dangerous, lurking at the door, waiting for the opportunity to overpower and ensnare a person. It’s not friendly and has malicious intent. Sin is portrayed as an active, persistent threat that requires conscious resistance. Get ready to wrestle.

The ferocious engagement with temptation is a familiar challenge for every believer, often beginning with a subtle desire, a flickering thought—something seemingly innocent or even good. Yet, when left unchecked, this desire can grow, leading to thoughts and actions that sometimes escalate quickly and ultimately result in sin. The Bible offers clear wisdom on this progression, especially in James 1:14-15, which alludes to the verse we first looked at: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.”

This passage presents a sobering sequence of progression and the great importance of guarding our hearts and minds. But how does this process play out in our daily lives, and how can we resist it?

Desire – The Root of Temptation

Everything begins with desire. The Greek word James uses speaks of a deep craving. Desire itself isn’t necessarily wrong; many of our longings reflect legitimate needs or aspirations. We seek love, security, and purpose—longings that echo God’s design. Yet, when these desires are misdirected, obsessed over, or given too much attention, they can lead us astray.

Think about the desire for love. Everyone wants to be loved. At its core, this is a good and godly longing, but when it becomes an obsession or is pursued outside of God’s design—be it through unhealthy relationships or fleeting pleasures—it opens the door to temptation. The enemy, ever sly and scheming, preys on such misaligned desires, offering shortcuts that promise fulfilment but ultimately draw us away from God and towards shame, guilt, and heartbreak. And then the enemy lies to us that we can never be forgiven, that God is disappointed in us, and that even if He still loves us, it is more likely He now just tolerates us. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Temptation: The Lure to Stray

Back to that enticement of desire. Once desire has taken root, temptation follows, practically tripping over desire in a bid to overcome it. Temptation isn’t merely a suggestion; it’s an active lure designed to exploit our specific desires and demonstrate what is going on in the heart, exposing weakness. But temptation is not failure; it can be resisted. In the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Eve by appealing to her desire for wisdom and independence (Genesis 3:1-6). The temptation was effective because it played on an existing longing, twisting it just enough to make disobedience seem reasonable. It wasn’t an apple, but whatever it was on the tree, it looked pleasing to the eye. See where the desire started?

This pattern repeats in our lives. We may desire success, which is not inherently wrong. But when temptation presents the opportunity to achieve it through shortcuts, dishonesty, or selfishness, we face a crucial decision. Temptation often whispers that what we want is within reach if we just compromise a little, masking the true cost of giving in… and it is ‘good’.

The Choice to Turn Away

Temptation, though powerful, doesn’t have to result in sin. The turning point lies in our response. When we indulge a wrong desire or allow it to grow unchecked, we cross the line from temptation to sin. The Greek word for sin means ‘missing the mark’—deviating from God’s standard. Sin isn’t merely breaking a rule; it’s a decision that fractures our relationship with God. That’s why Jesus told us to pray, “Deliver us from evil; lead us not into temptation.” Temptation is a place of testing—a place where we see what (or rather who) really has our heart.

This progression from temptation to sin often feels inevitable, especially when we dwell on a tempting thought until it dominates our mind. It’s worse than the temptation of a cream bun when fasting or dieting that starts with a look, a thought, a slight lick of the lips in anticipation, and then a painful pause that gives way to an empty plate! The process is similar, though. The Apostle Paul described this inner conflict in Romans 7:19, where he wrestles with the pull of sinful actions despite knowing what is right. Yet Paul also reminds us that our victory is not found in our own strength but in Christ, who offers the extravagant ‘more-grace’ we need to overcome.

The Consequence of Sin

James finishes his warning by pointing to the ultimate outcome of unchecked sin: death. Not nice. This death is not just physical but spiritual—a separation from God. Romans 6:23 reinforces this reality: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The whole process started so simply and, left to its own devices, ended up in chaos, tears, and disaster. Sin leads to death because it distances us from the life and presence of God—every step away from God brings us closer to this spiritual death. There are no positive outcomes, yet the Gospel offers gargantuan hope—where sin brings death, Christ offers life, eternal life—and in Him, we find redemption and restoration, even in our brokenness. God’s love is greater than our worst sin and reconciles, restores, and renews us into relationship and fellowship with Him.

We’ve Got to Guard Our Hearts

Understanding the enticing process from desire to sin is crucial, but resisting temptation requires intentional practical and spiritual strategies. We are not left to our own devices—Scripture offers clear guidance on how to protect our hearts and stay aligned with God’s will.

If you are skim-reading, this is the time to slow down and pay attention!

Guard Your Heart and Mind

Proverbs 4:23 calls out urgently to us: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Our hearts—the seat of our desires and thoughts—must be carefully guarded. This involves being intentional about what we allow to influence us—through media, relationships, and the environments we frequent. Pause and think about this—where do you get tempted most? Have you thought about it? There! You just named at least one of the threats to your walk with God.

In a culture saturated with messages that often contradict God’s truth, it’s easy to become desensitised to sin—to ask that shockingly irresponsible question: does it really matter? It’s not far removed from the temptation in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say…?” A seemingly harmless indulgence can quickly become a pattern that entraps us. Just once? Just this time? I’m in control… We must be selective about what shapes our desires. Are we allowing God’s truth to fill our minds, or are we feeding on fleeting pleasures? The answer will determine the direction of our hearts, our happiness, and our worship.

Scripture as Our Foundation

When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), His response was to speak God’s Word. Each time the adversary of God, Satan, tempted Him, Jesus countered with Scripture, demonstrating the power of truth in resisting lies. The really long, but totally inspired, Psalm 119:11 captures this principle: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Internalising, musing, and meditating on Scripture doesn’t simply equip us to fend off temptation; it reshapes our desires. When we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, it serves as a filter, helping us discern what aligns with His will and what doesn’t. In moments of temptation, recalling His promises and commands gives us the strength to resist. It also helps us know where and when we might be about to cross a red line.

Prayer and Dependence on the Holy Spirit

As already mentioned, Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Jesus knew their needs and those who would follow. There is a spiritual war underway; they needed to be asking this—daily. This prayer expresses our need for God’s guidance and protection, recognising that we cannot resist temptation on our own. Radically, we should be praying this for each other, relentlessly.

The Holy Spirit is central to this battle, urging us to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). A life led by the Spirit naturally resists sinful desires because the Spirit transforms our hearts and aligns our desires with God’s.

Dependence on the Holy Spirit isn’t passive; it requires actively seeking His guidance and surrendering our will to His leading. When we walk by the Spirit, we find the strength to resist the pull of sin and live in a way that honours God. The enemy will contest everything of value at every opportunity—you will get challenged—arm yourself, be ready!

Accountability and Community

We are a people on the way—the Christian journey is meant to be fully lived and enjoyed in community, which is why we need to proactively “Exhort one another every day… that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Accountability among believers to, for, and with each other is a powerful safeguard against temptation. Confessing our struggles to trusted brothers or sisters in Christ and inviting them to walk alongside us brings freedom. In a supportive community, we find encouragement, prayer, and the wisdom of those who have walked similar paths. You are not alone—our mutual support helps us stand firm when temptation strikes. When we go off on our own, we can expect trouble.

Fleeing from Temptation

Sometimes, the wisest choice is simply to do one and flee! Paul advises: “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” (2 Timothy 2:22). There are situations where the best course of action is to avoid environments or circumstances that could lead to sin. This isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom and maturity. Joseph, in Genesis 39, fled from Potiphar’s wife when she tried to seduce him. He didn’t stay to reason with her; he ran. There are times when we must do the same—whether it’s avoiding certain places, cutting off toxic relationships, or setting boundaries that protect us from temptation. Fleeing is about safeguarding our hearts and staying focused on pursuing God. In Joseph’s case, his action is almost akin to being in the Garden of Eden and chopping down the tree rather than succumbing to the temptation to eat the forbidden fruit!

Where Do We Go from Here?

The journey from desire to death is a stark reminder of sin’s terrible, destructive power, yet it’s also a call to vigilance—to guard our hearts, immerse ourselves in God’s Word, and remain anchored in Him. Temptation really is inevitable, but sin is definitely not. Through Christ, we have both the tools and the overwhelming grace to resist.

As we navigate this battle, we do so with humble dependence on God’s strength, a commitment to community, and a heart that continually seeks after Him.

When we stumble (and we shall), may we remember that we have a Saviour who has already conquered sin and death. His grace is sufficient, His love unfailing, and in Him, we find both the strength to stand and the forgiveness to rise again.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).