When you have visions and dreams

“For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.” (Eccles. 5:7 ESV)

Visions and dreams by the young and old 

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17 ESV, Joel 2:28)

The Lord  appeared in a vision, in a dream

“For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.” (Job 33:14-18 ESV)

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Gen. 15:1 ESV)

“And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here am I.” (Gen. 46:2 ESV)

“And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.” (Num.12:6 ESV)

“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” (1 Kings 3:5 ESV) 

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent…” (Acts 18:9 ESV)

“And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” (Matt. 2:12 ESV)

“I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.” (Dan. 4:5 ESV)

Interpretations belong to God 

“They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” (Gen. 40:8 ESV)

Test dreams and spirits carefully

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV) 

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God.” (Deut. 13:1-3 ESV)

“Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.” (Jer. 23:32 ESV)

In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son 

“God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son." (Heb. 1:1-2). Jesus Christ is the living Word of God (John 1:1, 14), and the Bible is the Word of God in written form. 

Therefore…

If you believe you have had a dream or vision and feel that perhaps God gave it to you, prayerfully examine the Word of God and make sure your vision is in agreement with Scripture. Always keep in mind that the Bible is finished, and it tells us everything we need to know. If God gives a vision, it will agree completely with what He has already revealed in His Word. God’s Word is our ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. Visions should never be given equal or greater authority than the Word of God.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)