Bible Question:

I'm a church elder, but I keep having dreams and visions about casting demons out of mad people, wizards, and sorcerers. What kind of ministry do these dreams and visions point to?

Bible Answer:

First, it appears that you have assumed the “dreams and visions” are from God. If we look at the Bible, we discover that dreams and visions were a common method that God used to communicate to people. But dreams and visions were not always used to communicate God’s will. We will also discover that even non-Christians and false prophets had dreams and visions.

For example, God used a dream to warn King Abimelech of Abraham’s deception regarding his wife. God warned him to not touch Abraham’s wife.

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.” Genesis 20:6 (NASB)

In the following passage God reveals that He often spoke to His prophets through dreams and visions.

He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household . . .” Numbers 12:6-7 (NASB)

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” Genesis 15:1 (NASB)

God has spoken to Joseph (Genesis 37:8, 20), Daniel (Daniel 1:17; 2:1-2) and Mary’s husband, Joseph (Matthew 1:20; 2:12-13, 19, 20) in dreams. God has spoken to Abraham in a vision (Genesis 15:1), Jacob or Israel (Genesis 46:2), Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1) and Obadiah (Obadiah 1:1) in visions, for example. Also, we are told that a pharaoh had a dream (Genesis 41:1), Nebuchadnezzar had a dream (Daniel 2:1), and Pilate’s wife had a dream (Matthew 27:19) but we do not know if it came from God.

Yet, scripture is very clear that false prophets have had dreams too. The dreams were deceptive dreams.

For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘”Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them . . .” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:8-9 (NASB)

The dreams of false prophets were false and sometimes they were simply lies (Jeremiah 23:25).

Conclusion:

What is the conclusion? First, dreams do not always come from God. Second, God does not want us to have anything to do with the occult such as demons, wizards, witches, and scorcerers according to Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6, 26-27; and Deuteronomy 18:10-12. Nowhere in the Bible do we see anyone, including prophets and Jesus’ apostles, having a ministry that involves the occult. The occult is dangerous territory and something to avoid. If God places you in a situation where you must confront a demon then you must confront the demon in a spirit of dependence upon God and in the name of Jesus Christ. Be aware that Jesus said some demons only respond to prayer (Mark 9:26-29). Even Jesus’ disciples did not have complete authority. Even the angels of heaven are careful in dealing with demons (Jude 9). Do not indulge or become consumed by an involvement with the occult and with those involved with the occult. God does not want you to do that.

Suggested Links:

What is Satanism?
Are ghosts real? What about spirit guides?
Is it bad for Christians to be interested in the occult?
Can Christians interpret dreams? If so, how?
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Joseph’s Dream
What is the connection between the Holy Spirit and dreams and visions?