Dreams, Discernment, and Spiritual Warfare: Understanding Dreams as a Christian
I have always been someone who dreams.
It began when I was around eight or nine years old and intensified in clarity and detail by the time I was twelve. My dreams were vivid, specific, and most notably accurate. What I saw in my dreams often unfolded in real life exactly as I had seen it. At the time, I didn’t understand what was really happening. I didn’t know that many of those dreams were not simply previews of life, but warnings. I didn’t know I was supposed to pray. I didn’t know I was supposed to cancel the plans of the enemy.
So I let them pass.
For many years, I accepted my dreams as something interesting but uncontrollable. If they happened, they happened. If they didn’t, they didn’t. It wasn’t until much later through deliverance, teaching, and the mercy of God that my eyes were opened. I now understand that dreams are not neutral, and ignoring them does not make a believer spiritually safe.
As Christians, we are meant to be a people of spiritual awareness. Scripture tells us that God speaks through dreams, yet many believers either do not dream at all or have no idea what to do when they do dream. I was one of those believers for a very long time.
Not dreaming or not remembering your dreams is not a spiritual advantage. It is often a sign of spiritual dullness, obstruction, or untrained discernment.
The Christian and the Seeing Eye
As Christians we are called to live with spiritual vision. Eyes that see and understand.
“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.”
— Proverbs 20:12
Yet some believers sleep with no spiritual awareness at all. While others see only what the enemy permits such as scenes filled with fear, confusion, loss, and destruction. In these instances, the enemy does not completely blind spiritual vision; rather, he regulates what is visible, limiting sight to images meant to weaken faith and sow fear.This is how dreams can become a planting ground for spiritual corruption. What is not confronted in the spirit realm is given permission to manifest in the natural.
Many believers do not realize they are commanded to tear down evil dreams.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:5
When dark or destructive dreams are not rejected and destroyed, they gain influence over time. A warning sign emerges when a person begins to dream only of negative things such as death, loss, fear, or disaster with no redemptive or life-giving dreams at all. When one of these dreams later comes to pass, it is often mistaken for prophecy. In many cases, however, this pattern is not always divine insight but spiritual intrusion that has gone unchallenged. A consistent stream of negative dreams is not evidence of spiritual gifting; it is often evidence of spiritual exposure.
God gives dreams. But Satan also wages war in the dream realm.
What Do We Mean by “Spiritual Exposure”?
When we talk about spiritual exposure, we are not talking about condemnation or failure. Spiritual exposure refers to areas of a believer’s life that are uncovered or insufficiently guarded, often due to lack of understanding, untrained discernment, or unexercised spiritual authority.
Spiritual exposure can occur when dreams, impressions, or spiritual warnings are received but never prayed through, tested, or addressed. In these cases, the enemy does not overpower a believer; he simply exploits uncovered ground.
Scripture reminds us:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
— 1 Peter 5:8
The phrase “seeking whom he may devour” implies opportunity, not ownership. Spiritual exposure creates opportunity but opportunity can be closed.
Biblical Foundation: Why Dreams Matter
Scripture affirms both the divine purpose and the spiritual vulnerability of dreams:
“For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night…”
— Job 33:15–17
“In the last days… your old men shall dream dreams.”
— Joel 2:28
“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat.”
— Matthew 13:25
The dream realm is not passive. It is active. It is monitored. And it requires discernment.
Dream Patterns That Must Never Be Ignored
Below are specific dream patterns that require immediate spiritual attention. These are not symbolic curiosities; they are indicators of spiritual activity that must be addressed.
1. Eating in Dreams
Eating in dreams is described as spiritually consuming demonic deposits such as sickness, poverty, confusion, delay, and failure. These dreams are portrayed as deliberate poisonings, where spiritual food is used as a vehicle to deposit affliction.
Ignoring such dreams allows these deposits to manifest in real life, most commonly in health and finances.
Scripture repeatedly connects eating with spiritual participation and covenant:
“They sacrificed to demons… and ate the sacrifices offered to the dead.”
— Psalm 106:37–38
When food is accepted in dreams without discernment, it represents agreement. This is why eating dreams should be immediately rejected and prayed against.
2. Sexual Encounters in Dreams (Spirit Spouse)
Sexual encounters in dreams are described as evidence of a spirit spouse, a demonic entity forming a counterfeit marriage covenant in the spirit realm. These entities are believed to:
Block physical marriage
Drain virtue and destiny
Cause repeated relationship failure
Interfere with intimacy in real marriages
Sex is covenantal by design:
“Do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her?”
— 1 Corinthians 6:16
Because of this, sexual dream encounters are not neutral. Deliverance and intentional “spiritual divorce” are presented as necessary to break these covenants and restore freedom.
3. Being Chased in Dreams
Dreams of being chased by people, animals, or shadows are interpreted as witchcraft pursuit. These pursuits are often tied to ancestral or family-based opposition and represent active attempts to stop progress, promotion, marriage, or destiny fulfillment.
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
— Proverbs 28:1
Such dreams call for spiritual resistance, not fear.
4. Seeing Snakes in Dreams
Snakes are described not as symbols, but as manifestations of witchcraft spirits. Their appearance is believed to indicate that:
Witchcraft has been released
Poison has been deposited
An enemy close to the dreamer may be involved
These dreams are often linked to sudden sickness, unexplained accidents, or financial loss.
Scripture consistently associates serpents with deception and poison:
“That ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan.”
— Revelation 12:9
5. Water, Swimming, or Drowning Dreams
Water-related dreams are attributed to marine spirits, which are said to:
Initiate people spiritually
Claim destinies
Cause emotional instability, confusion, depression, or suicidal thoughts
Accepting gifts or interacting with beings in water dreams is described as entering dangerous spiritual covenants that must be renounced.
“Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.”
— Psalm 69:1
6. Seeing Dead Relatives in Dreams
The dead do not visit the living. Instead, familiar spirits impersonate deceased relatives in order to:
Gain access
Give instructions
Transfer curses
Establish ongoing spiritual control
Obedience to these dream figures often results in deterioration of life, health, or peace until the covenant is broken.
“The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:5
“There shall not be found among you… one who consults the dead.”
— Deuteronomy 18:10–12
7. Being in an Old or Childhood Home
Dreams of returning to a childhood home or ancestral house are interpreted as generational bondage attempting to reclaim the individual. These dreams are said to pull people back into ancestral limitations such as poverty, sickness, or failure.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.”
— Isaiah 43:18
God calls His people forward, not backward.
Protecting your Dream Life
To guard your dream realm, the following spiritual disciplines are suggested:
Pray before sleeping
Reject evil dreams immediately upon waking
Refuse food, gifts, or agreements in dreams
Pray aggressive “fire prayers” after dangerous dreams
Anoint the bedroom and pillow with oil
Play worship music or Bible audio while sleeping
Fast and pray regularly to build spiritual immunity
Join a bible believing church and seek deliverance
Ignoring dream activity allows spiritual attacks to manifest physically, emotionally, and materially.
A Call to Maturity and Authority
If you have experienced any of the things discussed in this post, do not simply take my word for it because it is written here.
Fast.
Pray.
Seek God for clarity.
God is not silent, distant, or withholding. Scripture tells us plainly:
“Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”
— Amos 3:7
Ask Him for revelation. Ask Him for understanding. Ask Him to show you what is from Him, what is not, and what requires correction or deliverance. He is the best teacher we could ever ask for.
If you recognize these patterns in your dreams or your life, do not ignore them. Seek God on a deeper level. Seek wise counsel. And when necessary, seek deliverance. Deliverance is not a mark of failure, it is often a mark of maturity and humility.
Scripture reminds us that unresolved spiritual matters do not simply disappear:
“The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”
— Jeremiah 31:29
What we do not confront, heal, or address now has the potential to repeat, not only in our own lives, but in the generations that follow. Freedom is not just personal; it is inheritable.
My prayer is that this post blesses you, brings clarity, and if needed sets you on a path toward healing and deliverance. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to share it with someone who may find it helpful, and invite them to join the mailing list as well. I will continue sharing teachings, insights, and encouragement for those who desire to grow deeper in discernment, freedom, and spiritual maturity.
May God grant you wisdom, peace, and holy rest both waking and sleeping.
A Prayer for Cleansing, Authority, and Holy Rest
Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank You for being the God who reveals truth and restores what has been uncovered.
I come before You with humility, asking You to cleanse my dream life by the blood of Jesus.
Search me, O God, and reveal any area of spiritual exposure, any place where I have lacked understanding, discernment, or exercised authority.
Where I have ignored warnings, misunderstood dreams, or failed to pray,
I ask for Your forgiveness and Your correction.
Every dream that did not originate from You, I reject now.
Every seed planted while I slept that does not align with Your will,
I uproot and destroy in the name of Jesus.
I revoke every agreement made knowingly or unknowingly in dreams.
I renounce every influence that did not come from You.
I close every door the enemy has used to access my mind, my spirit, my body, or my destiny.
I declare that I belong fully and completely to Jesus Christ.
Restore my spiritual sight.
Heal what has been dulled, strengthen what has been weak, and train my discernment to recognize what is from You and what is not.
Teach me to respond with wisdom, authority, and obedience.
I ask You now to cover me. My spirit, soul, and body.
Let no exposed place remain uncovered.
What was vulnerable, make secure.
What was unguarded, place under Your protection.
I place my sleep under divine covering.
I declare that I will not fear the terror by night.
My dreams are ordered by You, my rest is guarded by You, and my spirit is at peace in You.
I declare that what is healed in me will not be passed down to another generation.
I receive freedom, clarity, and holy rest.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
