How can I know if a particular vision is from God? - Vision - TouchPoints

2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

The word of God is authoritative. No dream or vision from God would ever contradict the clear teaching and intent of the Scriptures. No vision can override the authority of the word of God or be a new word from God. Thus, a vision can only confirm what we know to be true or untrue from God’s word.

1 Thessalonians 5:17Never stop praying.

We must stay close to God through prayer and ask for wisdom to discern if our vision is from him.

Proverbs 15:22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

We should consult with other wise and mature believers to help interpret our vision. Even then, only time will tell if it is truly from the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:25-28, 36-37“I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name. How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal. Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between straw and grain! . . . But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the Lord.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. This is what you should say to the prophets: ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What is the Lord saying?’”

Because so many dreams are subjective and even bizarre, and often twist known facts, they can be easy tools for deception and manipulation. We should use extreme caution and skepticism when someone tries to convince us that their dream is a vision meant to change our behavior.