Acts 2:17 “ In the last days God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
I have had many people ask me this question over the years. Some of us hear things - “words” from God or we dream dreams and wonder was this from God?
How can we know when something is indeed from God and not just a wish from our heart? Or a dream that is my subconscious working overtime?
1. A word from God or a dream will never contradict God’s Word.
2. Anything from God will have a settled peace about it, even if the dream was truly frightening by nature. God’s peace still rests in it.
3. Anything that comes from God - does not condemn.
4. Remember the fruit of the Spirit laid out in Galatians 5:22, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness...” If a “word from God” evokes anything other than this, it is not from Him.
5. God can give warnings in dreams especially, but even in that, there is a sense of His presence.
6. Beware of the fruit of confusion and disunity or hopelessness. When a word or a dream produces this, it is not from God.
7. “So is my word that Goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 God will do what He shows or says He will do even if it is not the next day or month. At His time, He will fulfill what He has indicated. We must wait for His timing.
I have had various prophetic type dreams and visions for many years. It was a great relief to me when someone took a few moments to help me discern whether what I see, hear, or dream is from God or not.
The most helpful was simply that there is peace and not confusion or fear when it is from God. All the others are so important but for me, the aforementioned is what I needed to hear at that time.
When there is a dream that I am quite sure is from Him, I pray, and so does my husband, for understanding and clarity so that we respond in a way that is pleasing to Him.
I have had many very wonderful dreams too! But that is all they were. The ones that come from God feel different. It is like when you are in a conversation and lots is being said and all of a sudden one person is speaking and you hear in your head. “pay attention, this is important.”
Dear Jesus,
I pray that you will give me wisdom and clarity to discern when I dream or hear something spoken. Give me the understanding to know what is from you and what is not. Thank you for your speaking voice.
n Jesus’ Name,
Amen