How to Know If It’s Really from God
By Dick Eastman
Years ago, I had some bad eating habits that taught me about dreams: not all of them originate from God.
An ill-timed hot fudge sundae (consumed about 10 p.m.), just after four big slices of pepperoni pizza (covered with hot peppers), followed by four Oreo cookies, plus a couple of dill pickles washed down with a glass of chocolate milk can cause the beasts of Revelation to dance at the foot of your bed in some scary dreams.
Since then, I’ve tried to moderate my eating habits. I’m still aware, however, that most dreams are the result of factors even scientists cannot fully explain and are not necessarily communications of a divine origin.
I recall, with a chuckle, a time early in our marriage when my stomach became upset after a meal. My wife Dee has always been an excellent cook, so I’m sure it wasn’t her cooking.
Later that night, I dreamed that Dee placed a large plate of roast beef and potatoes on the table. Beside it, she set a bowl of bright pink gravy that gave off an unusual aroma.
“Why on earth is the gravy pink, and why does it smell like peppermint?” I asked.
“I’m sorry, honey,” she responded, “but the only roast I could buy at the store was spoiled and I knew it would make you sick. So, I’m serving Pepto-Bismol for gravy.”
No doubt someone into dream symbolism could come up with an interesting interpretation for that dream. My interpretation, however, is that I had a mild case of food poisoning!
Is It God?
Still, dreams and visions can originate from God, and Scripture is replete with examples of how God uses them to caution, correct, convict, confirm, and otherwise guide His children. A vision is generally defined as a picture that unfolds while you’re in a conscious, waking state. A dream is something that unfolds in an unconscious, sleeping state.
In either case, how can you be sure it’s really a message from God? I believe there are several criteria we can use to help us.
First, evaluate the source of a dream or vision in the same way you would evaluate any divine guidance. Years ago, I learned an interesting formula from Joy Dawson, a Bible teacher from New Zealand who profoundly influenced my life in this area. Using James 4:7–8, Joy explained that there are three possible “voices” or sources of guidance: the voice of self, the voice of Satan, and the voice of God.
James wrote, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. . . ” James 4:7–8). To submit yourself to God is to deal with the voice of self. To resist the devil is to deal with the enemy’s voice. To come near to God is to prepare yourself to hear His voice.
Applying this to a dream or vision, we should first ask these three questions: does this have its source in my flesh, does it appear to be inspired by the enemy, or do I have a clear sense that God is truly in it?
Second, examine the possible interpretations or conclusions from this dream or vision in light of God’s Word. Will it lead you in any way to violate God’s Word?
God’s Word is our standard in all matters of divine guidance, whether it’s an impression, a quiet voice in our heart, or a dream or vision. For example, a dream in which a married man sees himself leaving his wife to marry another woman is clearly contrary to God’s will. It violates Scripture.
Third, expect God to show you, directly and clearly, if a dream or vision is from Him. This takes considerable faith and must be firmly grounded in God’s Word. Simply stated, ask God to make it clear to you if this is really from Him.
George Mueller was one of the great men of faith of the past 150 years. He trusted God, by faith alone, to feed thousands of orphans in Bristol, England, in the last half of the 19th century. His personal formula for determining God’s will was to put his mind in “neutral” so that he could truly say he had no will of his own in a given matter. Then he would ask God boldly and directly what His will was for a given situation—and he expected to hear specifically from God.
Fourth, expose any demonic or human sources concerning a dream or vision. We must avoid at all cost any tendency to pursue or adopt New Age or occult interpretations of dreams or visions. Entire sections of secular bookstores are devoted to this subject. To consult such books or online resources leaves us open to demonic influences. Also be wary of believers who claim to have a list of interpretations for various symbols or dreams.
Fifth, exercise caution in sharing your dreams or visions—and any conclusions regarding them—with others. Even if you think your dream is from God, a good rule of thumb is to “sleep on it” (no pun intended). If your impressions from the dream or vision are very strong, and the details seem clearly to convey a message from the Lord, you may want to write them down and take adequate time to pray over it. Ask God to speak to you directly and clearly before you tell others.
Sixth, eliminate any natural (physical, emotional, or circumstantial) causes for your dream. One indication that a dream may be from the Lord (although this is not always the case) is if the exact dream reoccurs and has clear spiritual symbolism or meaning. Generally, a dream caused by what you eat is a one-time occurrence. Ask God if a dream might have been caused by what you ate or other circumstances that may be going on in your life.
Seventh, establish conclusions by seeking other avenues of confirmation. Look again at God’s Word and circumstances, and, at the proper time, seek wise counsel from others you know and trust who live deeply in God’s Word.
This is not contrary to exercising caution in telling others. We should take the step of telling others only after much prayer over a dream or vision. Seeking wise counsel is recommended as further confirmation.
Finally, endeavor to obey God in carrying out the direction of the dream or vision. In some cases, this may not involve action right now as much as more prayer and preparation to be a part of the ultimate fulfillment of what God has revealed.
Clarifying and Encouraging
Occasionally, God may give you a mental picture or impression so vivid that you might classify it as a vision. For me, this is sometimes how God clarifies direction for the global ministry I founded, Every Home for Christ. On other occasions, He has used this means to help me carry out a particular assignment.
This was the case when God used just such an experience to help me encourage the family and friends of a close friend who passed away.
Flying into New Mexico late on a Saturday night for the Sunday afternoon memorial service, I reclined my seat, exhausted from a busy week of travel. I felt unprepared to bring the eulogy for this remarkable friend and coworker of more than 20 years.
I wrestled with what I might say to honor Jean’s memory. She had touched so many lives in a quiet yet profound way. It was Jean who gave me the idea (and concept) to write my book The Hour that Changes the World.
As I pushed my seat back, a sudden mental picture came with such clarity that I have no hesitation describing it as a vision. A hand was painting Jean’s life on a brilliant white canvas, and the colors and light were exploding in extraordinary beauty. At first, I thought I was the painter, and I marveled at the fact that although I’m no artist, this was a true “Thomas Kinkade.” I quickly realized it was God’s hand, not mine, that was painting Jean’s life.
Then, something even more amazing happened. The colors in the portrait not only radiated light, but they gave off a fragrance like the aroma of a thousand beautiful perfumes mingled together.
In that moment, God reminded me of the passage of Scripture that had come to my mind a few days earlier when I first was asked to speak at Jean’s memorial: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 2:14–15, esv).
At the memorial I shared this “vision of light,” and when I told how the portrait gave forth a fragrance like a thousand perfumes, several people in the congregation gasped noticeably. Later I was told why. On the evening of Jean’s homegoing earlier that week, several of her best friends had gathered outside her home just to be close at that difficult time. They knew Jean was not expected to live long, but they had no idea she would enter heaven that very night. They didn’t want to disturb Jean or her family. So, they just stood quietly outside in the shadows of some nearby trees, praying.
It was a calm, mild spring evening without any breeze. One who was there that night told me, “Suddenly, a beautiful breeze began blowing through the trees, though strangely none of the leaves rustled. The breeze carried a fragrance so noticeable and wonderful that we all looked at each other, stunned. We were convinced it was supernatural.”
They later learned that at that very moment Jean slipped into God’s presence. She had, indeed, been a sweet perfume, a fragrance presented by Christ to God!
DICK EASTMAN is chief prayer officer of Every Home for Christ, a ministry he founded and served as international president for 34 years. He is also a member of America’s National Prayer Committee.
