Tonight’s Bible study focuses on Dreams, the Fallen Man, and the Spirit Man. We’ll examine dreams from a new perspective, seeking to understand their role and significance for both the fallen man and the spirit man, as revealed in Scripture.

Man: Spirit and Soul

1. Creation of Man:

– Genesis 1:27 states that God created man in His own image, which means man was originally a spirit because God is Spirit (John 4:24).
– Genesis 2:7 describes how God formed man’s body from the dust and breathed life into him, making man a living soul. The Hebrew word *rûach* and the Greek word *pneuma* both mean spirit, breath, and wind.

2. Tripartite Nature of Man

– Man is a spirit that has a soul and lives in a body. The soul cts as an intermediary between the spirit and the body.
– At the fall, man’s spirit became dead, and man became more of a “soulish” being, living through his soul and body rather than his spirit.

The Role of Dreams

1. Dreams in a Fallen World:

– After the fall, direct communication with God was hindered, leading to alternative methods such as dreams.
– Numbers 12:4-8 reveals that God often communicated with prophets through dreams and visions, but this was not His ideal method of communication.
– Romans 8:14 emphasizes that true sons of God are led by His Spirit, not merely by dreams.

2. Dreams and Unbelievers:

– Dreams are common among both believers and unbelievers. However, the spiritual significance and manipulation of dreams can differ.
– Unbelievers might experience dreams that lead to various forms of manipulation and deception by the devil.

The Essence of This Teaching

1. It is OKAY if you don’t dream:

– There’s nothing wrong with you if you don’t dream often. The real concern is whether you are led by the Spirit of God. If you can’t hear God or see visions, seek spiritual growth.

2. Dreams are mainly for the dead man:

– Unbelievers, who are spiritually dead, often experience dreams. When you become born again, your spirit comes alive, and God desires to communicate with you through His Spirit.

3. Dreams are mainly in the soul realm, not the spirit realm:

– Dreams occur in the soulish realm and are not the primary way God communicates with His children. Visions and revelations are more direct ways God speaks to believers.

4. Don’t be like Joseph, who was not born again:

– While Joseph had significant dreams, he was not born again. Our goal should be to be like Jesus, who did not rely on dreams but had direct communication with God.

5. If your major leadings in life always come through dreams, something is wrong with your growth:

– Mature believers should seek to be led by the Spirit of God. Heavy reliance on dreams for guidance can indicate a lack of spiritual growth and maturity.

6. Dreams are always manipulated by the devil:

– The devil can manipulate dreams to induce fear, confusion, and deception. Recognize and rebuke dreams that do not align with God’s peace and truth.

7. Watch those whose dreams always come to pass; it’s often evil dreams:

– Be cautious of those who claim their dreams always come to pass, especially if those dreams are consistently negative or fear-inducing. Such patterns can indicate demonic influence.

8. Most people who get afflicted, get it through dreams:

– Many afflictions and spiritual attacks can come through dreams. It’s essential to pray against and break any negative influences or afflictions that manifest through dreams.

Practical Implications

1. Understanding Dreams:

– It’s okay if you do not dream often; what matters is being led by the Spirit of God. Evaluate the nature and source of your dreams, especially if they consistently bring fear or negative outcomes.

2. Spiritual Warfare:

– Be vigilant against demonic manipulations in dreams. Engage in prayer and seek spiritual guidance if afflictions or fears arise from dreams. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of the spiritual battle we face.

3. God’s Communication:

– God desires to communicate with us directly through His Spirit. Cultivate a deeper relationship with God to hear His voice more clearly. Encourage others to seek spiritual growth and discernment to navigate dreams and spiritual experiences effectively.

Conclusion

Dreams can play a role in God’s communication with man, but they are not the primary method God desires for His people. By focusing on being led by the Spirit, Christians can grow in maturity and avoid the pitfalls of relying too heavily on dreams. Let us seek to deepen our relationship with God and be led by His Spirit in all things.