Some of my blog readers have been reaching out to me, asking to know how I got the ability to interpret dreams—and how they also can be able to interpret dreams. So to answer this question, I saw it necessary to write this article. I'm trusting the Lord to enable me share on this topic as much and apt as possible. So follow up as we learn how to interpret dreams biblically.
First of all, I've noticed that many people refer to dream interpretation as “an ability”; and I'll like to point out that accurate and biblical dream interpretation is made possible by the Almighty God. It is not a human ability, but a divine ability. I believe that every genuine Christian who is able to accurately interpret dreams knows that it is not something one should take pride in.
Daniel 2:25-28 NIVArioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.” The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.
Concerning the dream interpretation ability Daniel possessed, notice that he was careful about not taking the credit, instead he acknowledged the source (God in Heaven) from which emanated this ability.
There is a branch of psychology (known as psychoanalysis or psychotherapy) that deals with dream interpretations. There are many professional dream interpreters out there operating via the knowledge obtained from this field of study. They get paid heavily to interpret dreams—which is like trying to solve a spiritual problem with a physical therapy.
While psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, dreaming is a spiritual activity. I honestly cannot see how these two correlate.
The spiritual is way above and beyond what science can grasp and interpret. Dreams are mysterious, science is incapable of solving spiritual mysteries. This happens to be one of the major reasons why people often end up with the wrong dream interpretations from psychologists.
There is also another group out there known as psychics—witches, warlocks and magicians—who profess to be able to decipher the meaning of dreams. But their source isn't God. It is not by the Spirit of Christ that a psychic interprets dreams, but through another spirit.
Head knowledge puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). I wouldn't advise any Christian to tread the path of neither the psychotherapist nor the psychic. These two are obviously not ordained and orchestrated by the Christian God.
That's by the way.
For majority of those who have reached out to me asking to know how to interpret dreams, I can sum up their questions and concerns under the following:
- How to Biblically interpret dreams
- How do you interpret dreams Biblically
- How to interpret dreams spiritually
- How to interpret dreams from God
So, the principal focus of this article will be on the above points.
I'll like to start by stressing that, it is not by my own efforts that I am able to interpret dreams. It is God who works in us to will and do according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). This ability is from God and it takes being very attuned to God to be able to give accurate biblical dream interpretation.
How To Interpret Dreams Biblically
Christian dream interpretation is neither games nor a hobby. It is a ministry. The ministry of Christian dream interpretation is a very delicate one, since it directly deals with human souls. This is also why the Christian dream interpreter has to be extra diligent and thorough in communicating the meaning of dreams.
This isn't something to treat lightly. A wrong dream interpretation is like a false prophecy; it can leave a permanent damage in the soul of the recipient. It is capable of leading astray. You don't want to tamper with people's souls that way.
The ability to interpret dreams is a spiritual gift, just like all other spiritual gifts given by God. A spiritual gift is a spiritual ability—the two terms can be used interchangeably. Although the spiritual gift of dream interpretation is not expressly mentioned among the ones listed in 1 Cor 12:1, 8-11; it works in tandem with most of those gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:1,8-11 NIVNow about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
The spiritual gift of dream interpretation is a rare gift in the end time Church. In some cases, this gift works alongside the following spiritual gifts:
- Word of knowledge
- Word of wisdom
- Discerning of spirits
- Prophecy
This isn't me saying that if anyone has the above listed gifts, they also have the gift of interpreting dreams. I am saying that, it is unlikely to find a Christian who accurately interprets dreams, without having and operating efficiently in the above listed spiritual gifts.
Do you want to be able to interpret dreams? I'm sure you do, and it is not an impossibility. Does God want you to interpret dreams? That is completely left for Him to decide.
How To Interpret Your Dreams Biblically
Spiritual gifts are evenly distributed among Believers in the Body of Christ. Most of these gifts come encapsulated in the gift of the Holy Spirit. That is to say, we receive certain spiritual gifts by default, at the moment we first receive the Holy Spirit. This is according to God's will and by divine election. Also according to the holy scriptures, it is possible to “desire” and receive a spiritual gift that we do not have.
1 Corinthians 14:1 ESVPursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
As much as you desire to interpret dreams, also understand that it is a service to God and the Body of Christ. It must be done humbly under the auspice and unction of the Holy Spirit. It is not for show-off.
There are people who charge a fee for interpreting dreams. There is nothing wrong with financially supporting a minister of the Gospel who can interpret dreams, but if you ever encounter a Christian who demands that you pay a fee before they interpret your dreams, I can assure you that such a gift is not from God. The gift of dream interpretation is not for selfish merchandise.
Anyone can ask God the spiritual gift of dream interpretation, but receiving or not receiving that gift is something that is solely left for God to decide. Having pure intentions for wanting the gift can help increase a person's chances of receiving it. Remember, God knows our hearts.
Learning How To Interpret Dreams
Can someone scholastically learn to interpret dreams? The answer is, No!
I understand that there are Christians who are willing to learn to interpret dreams, but that isn't different from the path of the psychotherapist and the psychic, which I earlier cautioned us against. Christian dream interpretation is neither an art nor a craft that can be learned. It is a spiritual gift; it is a ministry.
If you find an acclaimed school of ministry that teaches how to interpret dreams, enrolling in such an institution would be you dabbling into a dangerous spiritual path. The Church is not yet done dealing with the menace of false prophets who were trained and raised by 'prophetic schools'.
Just as no genuine spiritual gift is learned but received from God, I would advise Christians to desist from trying to learn how to interpret dreams.
The Bible says that we should earnestly desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1). Our desire should draw us to sit at the Lord's feet and ask Him for the gift we want. The Bible doesn't say we should learn spiritual gifts.
It is either we ask and receive the gift of dream interpretation from God, or we simply don't have it. Trying to seek an alternative route to this could open a door for demonic deception.
Also, please do not reach out to any Christian dream interpreter, asking them to teach you how to interpret dreams. Because that is not different from the demand Simon made to the Apostles:
Acts 8:18-20 NIVWhen Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
Dream interpretation is not a skill that anyone can learn. Do not ask to learn how to interpret dreams—because that is very risky—both to you and the Christian dream interpreter who may be tempted to try fulfilling your wish by their own power.
God gave every Spirit-filled Christian the ability to decipher their own dreams to a certain extent, but being able to step into another person's dream to see it clearly for what it means, is something that is completely on another level.
The Gift of Dream Interpretation
The gift of dream interpretation is definitely a nice thing to have. Having someone accurately interpret our dreams is always a blessing. But there are other things one should be aware of, before desiring to have this gift.
1. Dream Interpretation Is A Rare Gift
Apostle Paul wished that everyone could speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5). Moses wished that all men were Prophets (Numbers 11:29). But you'll agree with me that not every Christian has the gift of tongues, and not every Believer is a Prophet. This shows us that God's will is independent of man's wish.
Genuine prophets are hard to come by today, same with someone with a genuine gift of dream interpretation. I'll like everyone reading this to understand this fact, so that no one ends up feeling frustrated if they asked and didn't receive this gift from God.
Spiritual gifts are given by God according to His will, not according to man's wish. Not all gifts are for everyone. God decides who He gives certain gifts and no one can question Him concerning that.
2. Dream Interpretation Requires Supernatural Wisdom
If you look closely at the story of Daniel the dream interpreter, you will notice very outstanding things:
- Daniel was a Prophet.
- Daniel had the Spirit of excellence.
- Daniel had supernatural wisdom and understanding.
- Daniel was fully consecrated, obedient and submitted to God.
- Daniel had an intimate relationship with God.
- With these, he was able to interpret dreams and solve riddles.
I'll like us to highlight the part that mentions divine wisdom and knowledge; because without these, the gift of dream interpretation cannot function optimally.
Daniel 5:12 NKJVInasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.
It is not a mistake that “knowledge and understanding” is repeatedly mentioned across verses in the book of Daniel, and then attributed to his ability to interpret dreams. It is meant to make us see how the gift of dream interpretation, divine wisdom and knowledge are intertwined and inseparable from each other.
Daniel 1:17 NIVTo these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
I'll advise anyone who wants to ask God for the gift of dream interpretation to also ask Him for divine wisdom and understanding. Without spiritual wisdom and understanding from God, the gift of dream interpretation could wreck lives, instead of edifying.
James 1:5 ESVIf any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
There are times people send me a private message to share their dreams and ask for the interpretation. After going through their dream, it could see the meaning but I wouldn't dare jump into sharing it with them immediately. I have to seek God to know the best way to communicate it.
This is because, if I happen to share a dream meaning as raw as I received it, many would end up offended. Sometimes, I might end up sounding spooky. Some people could become scared to death on hearing what their dream means. This is where divine wisdom and understanding comes into play.
Even when writing dream interpretations on this blog for public consumption, wisdom and discretion is required.
The Danger Of False Dream Interpretations
- As I earlier said, there is a field of study that deals with dream interpretation, but that is all done by the flesh.
- Everyone with common sense can attempt to piece together different symbols within their dream to get the whole picture. But that approach is plagued with limitations, especially when it comes to deciphering complex and prophetic dreams.
- To understand the complete meaning of dreams, one has to rely on God's help and supernatural wisdom from Him. Without these, one risks getting played on by deceitful spirits.
- Dreams interpreted from man's intellect will always be erroneous. Such can as well mislead people. Head knowledge and certificates are not enough to make anyone a Christian dream interpreter.
How To Be Able To Interpret Dreams
- Ask the Lord for the gift of wisdom, then ask for the gift of dream interpretation. I'm yet the stumble on a course that can give people the gift of dream interpretation. Both divine wisdom and the ability to accurately and scripturally interpret dreams comes from God.
- Desire the gift of dream interpretation and make sure your desire is genuine, before proceeding to ask God for it.
- Get aligned with God. It takes being in alignment with God to receive the interpretation for people's dreams.
- The gift of dream interpretation is for those who can hear God. There's no way a Christian could receive the accurate meaning of a dream from God, if they can't hear His voice. Make sure you can hear God clearly, and not guessing.
Interpret My Dream Free Online
The Lord established this blog for a purpose. It has served thousands of people so far. You can always visit our blog anytime to search for the meaning of your dreams.
How To Interpret Dreams Book
If the Lord wills, I'll write a book that speaks more on interpreting dreams. But don't expect that to come any time soon.
Final Thoughts On How To Interpret Dreams
This article might not be exhaustive, but I trust that by the enablement of the Holy Spirit, I was able to cover the very important aspects of dream interpretation.
Beloved, I trust that you learned something new today by reading our article on how to interpret dreams biblically.
If you think someone else out there needs to see this teaching also, go on and share this article with them.
God bless you.
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