| We all dream. I believe that dreams can contain | | | | 4:28-33) and he had a dream of a tree being |
| valid messages from God. In order for us to | | | | chopped off at the roots (Dan. 4:9-27). Once you |
| understand these messages, we must interpret | | | | know the thoughts that were on the |
| our dreams. Below are seven foundational | | | | dreamer’s heart when he fell asleep, it is |
| principles for interpreting dreams: | | | | much easier to draw out the meaning of the |
| 1. Most dreams are symbolic (including biblical | | | | dream. |
| dreams), so view them the same way you would | | | | 4. The meaning of the dream must be drawn |
| view a political cartoon. Throw the switch in your | | | | from the dreamer. Realize you know nothing |
| brain that says, “Look at this symbolically.” | | | | about the dream, but through dependence upon |
| You can learn the art of communicating | | | | the Holy Spirit and the skillful use of questions, |
| symbolically by playing the game | | | | you can draw the meaning of the dream out |
| “Pictionary” or “Bible Pictionary.” | | | | from the heart of the dreamer. |
| 2. The symbols will come from the dreamer’s | | | | As for these four children, God gave them |
| life, so ask, “What does this symbol mean to | | | | knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and |
| me?” or, if working on another’s dream, | | | | Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams |
| ask, “What does this symbol mean to | | | | (Dan. 1:17). |
| you?” | | | | Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; |
| For example, Joseph was a shepherd, and he | | | | but a man of understanding will draw it out (Prov. |
| dreamed of sheaves and sun, moon and stars | | | | 20:5). |
| bowing down (Gen. 37:1-11). These images | | | | 5. The dreamer’s heart will leap and |
| surround a shepherd boy who lives in the fields. | | | | “witness” and say, “Aha!” when it |
| Nebuchadnezzar, a king, dreamed of statues of | | | | hears the right interpretation, so never accept an |
| gold (Dan 2:31ff), which surround kings who live in | | | | interpretation that does not bear witness in the |
| palaces. | | | | dreamer’s heart. |
| 3. The dream generally speaks of the concerns | | | | 6. Dreams reveal but do not condemn. Their goal |
| which your heart is currently facing. So ask, | | | | is to preserve life, not to destroy it (Job 33:13-18). |
| “What issues was I processing the day | | | | 7. Never make a major decision in your life based |
| before I had the dream?” | | | | only on a dream without receiving additional |
| For example, Paul was wondering where to go | | | | confirmation from the other ways that God |
| next on his missionary journey and had a dream | | | | speaks to us and guides us (peace in our hearts, |
| of a Macedonian man motioning for him to come | | | | the counsel of others, illumined Scriptures, |
| on over (Acts 16:6-11). Nebuchadnezzar was | | | | God’s still small voice, prophecy, anointed |
| thinking his kingdom would go on forever (Dan. | | | | reasoning, etc.). |