TODAY'S MESSAGE SERMON TITLE: WHAT IS A DREAM – AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU? INTRODUCTION Dreams are not just random images in the night. In Scripture, dreams are shown as a channel of communication, a mirror of the heart, and sometimes a spiritual battlefield. Some dreams come from God, some from your mind, and some can be influenced spiritually. If you ignore dreams completely, you may miss divine direction. If you misunderstand them, you may live in confusion. So the question is: What is a dream—and how does it affect your life? WHAT IS A DREAM? A dream is a series of thoughts, images, or revelations experienced during sleep. Spiritually, dreams can come from three sources: 1. From God (Divine Revelation) > Job 33:14-15 – “For God speaketh once… in a dream, in a vision of the night…” 2. From the Mind (Natural Processing) > Ecclesiastes 5:3 – “A dream comes through the multitude of business…” 3. From the Enemy (Spiritual Manipulation) > Matthew 13:25 – “While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares…” TYPES OF DREAMS IN THE BIBLE 1. Revelational Dreams (Direction from God) Joseph’s dream of greatness > Genesis 37:5 2. Warning Dreams God warned Joseph to flee with Jesus > Matthew 2:13 3. Prophetic Dreams Pharaoh’s dream interpreted by Joseph > Genesis 41:25 4. Troubling Dreams Nebuchadnezzar’s disturbing dream > Daniel 2:1 HOW DREAMS AFFECT YOU 1. They can reveal your future Dreams can carry destiny messages 2. They influence your emotions Fearful dreams can cause anxiety Peaceful dreams can strengthen faith 3. They can shape decisions A warning dream can save your life 4. They may expose spiritual battles Repeated negative dreams may signal oppression 5. They can build or weaken your faith Understanding dreams brings clarity CASE STUDY: JOSEPH THE DREAMER > Genesis 37:5-9 His dream: He saw himself rising above his brothers Effect on his life: The dream created jealousy He went through betrayal, slavery, and prison But eventually: The dream came to pass He became a ruler in Egypt Lesson: Not every dream is immediately pleasant Some dreams reveal a future that requires process and endurance WARNING: NOT EVERY DREAM IS FROM GOD Some people build their lives on every dream they have—that’s dangerous. > Jeremiah 23:28 – “Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully…” Truth: God’s Word is superior to dreams. Dreams must be tested by Scripture. ACTION STEPS: HOW TO HANDLE DREAMS 1. Pray before you sleep Commit your night to God 2. Test every dream with the Word If it contradicts Scripture, reject it 3. Don’t panic over negative dreams Pray instead of fear 4. Write down important dreams Especially repeated or clear ones 5. Seek spiritual understanding > James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God…” 6. Break negative patterns through prayer Don’t ignore consistent disturbing dreams 7. Stay spiritually strong A strong spirit resists wrong influence QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Q1: Does every dream have meaning? No. Some are just natural mental activity. Q2: How do I know if a dream is from God? It aligns with Scripture, brings clarity, and does not produce confusion. Q3: What should I do after a bad dream? Pray immediately and cancel every negative effect. Q4: Can dreams affect my real life? Yes, especially if they carry spiritual influence or direction. Q5: Should I fear dreams? No. You have authority in Christ. > Luke 10:19 – “I give you power… over all the power of the enemy…” PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer for Divine Covering Father, cover my sleep with Your presence in Jesus’ name. 2. Prayer Against Negative Dreams Every evil dream influencing my life, be cancelled now! 3. Prayer for Clarity Lord, help me understand every dream that comes from You. 4. Prayer for Protection I reject every manipulation of the enemy in my dreams. 5. Prayer for Peaceful Sleep I receive peaceful and undisturbed rest in Jesus’ name. 6. Prayer for Fulfillment of Good Dreams Every good dream from God over my life, come to pass! CONCLUSION Dreams are powerful—but they are not your foundation. God’s Word is your foundation. Dreams can guide you, warn you, or reveal things—but they must never replace Scripture. > Joel 2:28 – “Your old men shall dream dreams…” God still speaks—but you must discern wisely. Don’t be controlled by dreams. Be led by God. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get ebooks from my selar shop below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem For enquiry CONTACT - WhatsApp - +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com