Some people dismiss the idea that dreams can have significance. Others believe that there is spiritual meaning in every dream and that all should be interpreted and taken seriously.
I believe that a balanced Biblical viewpoint lies somewhere in between these two extremes.
4 Types of Dreams and Their Meanings
Identifying which type of dream we have had can help us determine whether to consider a potential meaning in the dream, and what—if anything—to do with it.
Here are four dream categories that I have personally found helpful:
1. Ordinary, Processing Dreams
Dreaming is a natural function of the brain, occurring mainly during the REM stage of sleep. [1]
I believe that it is not necessary to seek meaning in the majority of our dreams.
Last night I watched a murder mystery on DVD before I went to bed—something I usually avoid. Not surprisingly, my dreams contained an element of danger.
I do not remember most of my “processing” dreams—and those that I do recall quickly fade. However, other people I know are vivid dreamers and can recall them clearly. Sometimes people refer to unusual but meaningless dreams as “pizza dreams.”
The GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) principle applies to dreams. Whatever we feed our senses and minds with will invariably find expression in our sleep.
“Much dreaming and many words are meaningless…” (Eccl 5:7)
If you are unsure about a dream you have had, pray about it. Perhaps it may fit in one of the other dream types.
2. Prophetic Dreams
“For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men and seals their instruction.” Job 33:14-16 (NKJV)
From the book of Genesis all the way through the Bible, dreams are one way that God speaks to His people.
However, even those who were gifted in the area of dreams and dream interpretation (Joseph and Daniel, for example) only had a few dreams that were significant enough to be recorded in the Scriptures.
Joel and Peter mentioned dreams as one manifestation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, along with prophecy and visions. (Acts 2:17)
There are many ways that God used dreams in the Bible—for example:
- Warnings (Abimilek, Gen 20:1-8))
- Revealing destiny and the call of God (Joseph, Gen 37:5-10)
- Impartation of a spiritual gift or ability (Solomon, 1 Kings 3:5)
- A strategy for provision (Jacob, Gen 31:10)
- A sign of His Presence (Jacob’s ladder, Gen 28:12))
- Guidance (Paul, Acts 16:9)
My husband Malcolm (aka ‘The Hunk’) and I occasionally have dreams that we believe contain prophetic insights from God. I find these dreams have a greater than usual clarity and I awake with a sense of God’s Presence.
The Bible contains many promises that God will bless our sleep and dream life.
So, let’s increase our sense of expectation that God will speak to us through our dreams. [2]
3. Soul Dreams
Soul dreams reveal emotions, attitudes, or beliefs that we may be trying to deny or repress.
They are a means that God can use for good—to help us bring them into the open and deal with them.
Signs you may be having a soul dream include:
- Actual memories resurfacing in your dreams
- Vivid emotions that you can link to an event, past present, or future
- Repeating, or recurring dreams
Soul dreams may indicate a response, such as fear or anger, to an event that is happening at present in our lives, or that we are anticipating in the future. If something from your past is surfacing, you can be assured that it is ready to be dealt with and that your loving Father is waiting to bring healing to you.
We should never dismiss soul dreams as being unimportant. They give us insight into our inner world and can be powerful when seen in our Father’s redemptive light. They also reveal what He designs to heal and turn around. And furthermore, they provide solutions—because they shine a light on underlying problems.
If you are having soul dreams that you believe are significant, pray about them and ask God how you should respond. If needed, find a leader/mentor or wise Christian counsel to pray with you and help you process whatever is coming to the surface.
4. Spiritual Warfare Dreams
On occasion, I have experienced spiritual warfare during my sleep.
When this takes place, God allows demonic intrusion into our sleep for His purposes:
- To set us free and bring us closer to Him,
- In order to pray effectively and
- For the purpose of exposing the hidden strategies of the enemy
a. Spiritual Warfare
‘In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.’ (Psalm 4:8)
Dreams can be an alert to pray during times of spiritual warfare. There have been times when I have woken my husband and we have prayed together because I have experienced a demonic confrontation in a dream. We know that our prayers have made a difference.
b. Demonic Oppression in Dreams
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,’ (Psalm 91:5)
Repeated nightmares can be a sign of having an ‘open doorway’ in our lives for demonic oppression. Those who have experienced trauma, or been involved in the occult (personally or generationally), for example, may be vulnerable in this area. But bad dreams and nightmares can be redeemed and overcome.
Many years ago I had regular nightmares. Through receiving prayer ministry I was able to identify the source of these and gain freedom through prayer. [3]
It is important to remember that God is greater than any other spiritual influence and that as Christians we have power in prayer, using the Name of Jesus, to overcome any spiritual attack.
c. Discernment Dreams
Some people who have the gift of discernment may experience conflict in their dreams, or be alerted to a demonic presence or strategy through a dream. [4] The purpose of this may be for a prophetic warning as well as for prayer and intercession.
‘You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4)
We should never be afraid, as the result of a dream. If you have one that you are concerned about—no matter what type of dream it is—share it with someone you trust and pray about it.
Notes
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream
[2] The following articles may be helpful:
What To Do When You Have A Prophetic Dream.
How Do I Know A Personal Prophecy Or Dream Interpretation Is From God?
Prophetic Dreams: 11 Tips to Discover the Meaning of Your Dream
[3] Prayer Ministry is an extended session of prayer with 2 or more trained prayer ministers in a safe, supervised setting. It should be used in conjunction with pastoral care in the church and if necessary, professional counseling.
[4] If you are having discernment-type dreams this article may be helpful: 8 Signs You May Have The Spiritual Gift Of Discernment.
© Helen Calder, Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries: Prophetic Ministry for a Revival Generation
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
Before i knew that im called to be a prophetess,i used to dream a lot..Dreams to do with my extended family’s future and some to do with my own family secrets..of which i shared only with Dad coz he understood such very well.Though some dreams i could wake up crying with a lot of sorrow in my spirit then its about Death.Thank God for my Dad who was always there for me and supported me all the way till i discovered that i was a prophetess and now nomatter how fearful a dream may be i never run to any one but Go on my Knees and ask God for its purpose…Now i am a proud grown up lady but still working on it…God bless his name.
Hi Muteletwa, you are a significant woman, beloved of God! It’s a journey, as you say, ‘still working on it’ but glory to glory. (2 Cor 3:18)
Have you seen this article on fear? https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2014/11/11/discernment-9-ways-to-banish-fear-of-evil/
Blessings, Helen
Hi sister in Christ. I have been trying to figure why I dream about my deceased brother, father and grandmother. They are alive in the dreams, the dreams are not scary, but in the dreams I remember they are deceased. I’ve been having dreams about them for about 3 or 4 years off and on. Quite frequently, enough for me to wonder is its a message in the dreams. I’ve prayed, but I can’t come to any conclusion. I don’t have a spiritual leader to ask questions to. I recently left a ministry that I had been at for 20+ years. I won’t get into the details, but I left for righteous reason, to seek God like never before and because I don’t believe that the leader had clean hands. Thank you so much for insight! I just came across your teachings a couple of days ago and I have been tremendously helped as I’m seeking God like never before. Thanks again.
Hi Beverly, yes the dreams may be significant. Sometimes it takes a longer journey to understand dreams from God, and that’s ok. Maybe God is speaking to you that He wants to fill the place in your life that these dear ones had to you, or you would have liked them to have. Many times people in dreams do not represent themselves, but aspects of ourselves. Sorry I’m not familiar with many resources (apart from the Bible) for interpreting dreams.
Ms. Helen, thanks so much for replying back. I will keep seeking God for the interpretation. Thanks so much for your concern. I read you material and am helped tremendously. I’ve gained so much in just a week or so that I somehow stumbled across your blog. But we both know that I didn’t “just stumble” across it, it was God’s doing. I’m seeking God like never before, I feel I have a prophetic call and I really don’t know what to do with it. I’m praying and your material has helped so much. God bless you and your family!!!
Love it! :-) Thank you for being in touch, Beverly
I need help decoding dreams please. Please direct me to the right information.
Hi Helen,
How are you? Trust you are well with Gods glory :)
It’s been awhile since I’ve left a message but I’m always referring back to your blogs as they have helped me over these three years. Bless you and your ministry.
Helen just a question. I’ve been pondering a dream I had many, many years ago. In this dream I’m walking from the back door of a house that leads into the garage I walk up these stairs which the carpet is purple, I come to the first level see the front door opened I look at the door it has a veil over it I keep walking up the stairs to the main area of the house I see the dining room to the right and then look left which is the kitchen there is a huge windows above the sink I walk over and open it.
Years later since that dream, we would have a couple walk into our church who we have become really good friends with now. After being in our church for a month would invite us into there home for dinner which there home is exactly the home I had dreamt about including the purple carpet, the stairway, doors, kitchen windows front balcony everything. What category do these type of dreams fit into and what are they for?
I think forward to your thoughts
Blessings
Chontae From New Zealand
Hi Chontae, it is really good to hear from you again! Sorry I’ve taken a little while to get back to you, we’ve been overseas and this is my first day back in the office.
Wow oh wow! I can’t believe you wrote that. I walked into the house we were staying at in the USA a couple of weeks back and it was a house I dreamed about in 1999 – particularly stairway, design, layout and a grand piano – dreamed 16 years ago! So yes, I have just asked that question myself! My thoughts upon meditating on this in my own situation have been that this is a sign. Even though I thought the dream in good part fulfilled, more is on the way, look out, God is on the move!
So 1. Sign dream concerning a season you are in right now and 2. Symbolic dream – the elements in the dream will still contain meaning, perhaps pray about it for fresh revelation.
I have this dream of a friend that give me a lock and key and said to me that I was very good to him the last year. I love this friend, but he dont want to be in a relationship because he dont love me that much. The next night I dream that his gate op before me and it open as an electic gate. Its an old gate. I wonder what the Lord want to say to me.
Hi Aloma, I suggest you pray about how the Lord would have you respond to your friend – perhaps there is a grace word or action you can take, or He may be calling you to trust Him for His purposes in the relationship, let God open it in His time.
I know without a doubt I flow in the prophetic, yet I am constantly doubtful thoughts regarding the gift in me. I think its because I haven’t been around or perhaps I should say had people around me even in the church, to encourage, help nurture this gift. I have stumbled throughout my saved years learning thru trial and error, and sometimes doubting the gift. I am so much better now, and so glad I happened upon your site. Praise God, I am seeking him for this coming year, my desire is to see God move in awesome ways. I see this great change taking place in my life, been thru a lot this past year, nevertheless I feel my spiritual strength increasing, there is great anticipation, of what God is going to do in and thru my life. Thank you for your website, I am growing thru the lessons you have here especially in the prophetic. Thank you!
Hi Florence, I love the sense of hope and anticipation coming through in your words.
Thank you for leaving the note :-)