Teresa Odden

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Is it Biblical to share dreams and visions? Part One

Part One of Two:

Is it Biblical to share with other people the dreams we dream and the visions we see? I ask this question because it’s a question I posed to God many times.

The topic of dreams and visions remains controversial in the church and there are few teachings on these subjects. I think this is primarily due to people being lead down a road of new age philosophies and spiritism. If one doesn’t know the Word of God or spend time in prayer, one can be led astray rather easily.

Mysticism, channeling, mediums, physics, astrologers are not of God. God warns against it. In Leviticus 19:31 it states "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.” The Message states “Don’t dabble in the occult or traffic with mediums; you’ll pollute your souls. I am God, your God.”

It is a warning, but not a reason, or an excuse, to dismiss that God may choose to speak through dreams and visions today.

In my experience, this subject hasn’t been taught in the way we hear about the Good Samaritan or other parables, therefore, I struggled before launching this blog. My hesitation wasn’t just because I didn’t know what I was doing to be a blogger, but also because I questioned the appropriateness to share my dreams and visions. In essence, I questioned God.

The more I prayed the more God comforted me to press on writing what many think is inappropriate to do so. It's about obeying God, not man.

Dreams and visions are not only recorded for our benefit, there’s an announcement that there will be an increase. I repeat the verses in Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 numerous times on my blog because it’s a prophesy in scripture that shouldn’t be ignored.

If God’s Word tells us there will be an increase of something, it would seem to me it’s a topic we need to be informed of.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

God gave us pastors and teachers of the Word. “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15.

I need the help of pastors and teachers. I will not learn if the church remains silent on this subject or any other subject recorded in scripture. I hope more pastors will teach their congregations the knowledge behind this prophesy. If we aren’t hearing teachings on these verses, how will people know what to do when they see dreams or visions they know are from God?

The Bible is perfect. Every account in the Bible has been recorded for a reason and the Bible warns us that nothing should be added or omitted. Gaining godly knowledge is what will help us to know Truth from false teachings. Acts 20:29

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:19

The standards how to live a godly life and what to share of the gospel comes from the Word of God. The Bible is our guide. God recorded dreams and visions then and I believe God wants us to do the same today.

God is unchanging. If He changed, then I would imagine so would the manner in which He speaks. He hasn’t changed, therefore, who God was during Bible days is the God He is today. To state otherwise means to say He changes. He does not.

The book of Luke records the following, “Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” (Luke 1:1-5)

The disciples recorded the miracles Jesus performed and they wrote down the miracles they saw after Christ ascended to heaven. They didn’t cease from sharing what God was doing once Jesus left them.

I’ve read books where Muslims are finding Jesus as their Savior through dreams and visions from God. I don’t find it odd. In fact, I welcome hearing these testimonies.

Jude 1:3-4 wrote the purpose of his letters to his friends: “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”

God is mysterious. He is supernatural and operates in ways we cannot understand. Even though dreams and visions are difficult to understand, the whole message of the gospel must be shared. To pick and choose, share less, distorts the Truth of the gospel.

And yet the more I shared my dreams it still didn’t come naturally to do so. I asked God to give me more assurance as to the appropriateness to do so as if the standard in the Bible wasn’t enough.

See Part Two

I'd love to hear from you and what God is teaching you from the scriptures in Joel and Acts.

"When people tell you, “Try out the fortunetellers. Consult the spiritualists
Tell them, “No, we’re going to study the Scriptures.”

"Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. Isaiah 8:19-20