Nightmares
Definition: A frightening or terrifying dream. (The word “nightmare” comes from the Old English word “mare” (or goblin) which meant an evil spirit or demon haunting people in their sleep.)
1. We have nothing to fear because God has promised us protection against nightmares.
Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 91:5a,6a Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night … 6a Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness.
Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:18a There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.
2. We shouldn’t feel intimidated or condemned by nightmares, but recognize them as the spiritual attacks of the Enemy that they are, and resist and overcome them with the Lord’s help.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Peter 5:8,9a Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9a Whom resist steadfast in the faith.
3. Sometimes bad dreams can be triggered by bad experiences or sights, so avoid these, if possible.
Psalm 101:3a I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: … it shall not cleave to me.
Psalm 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken Thou me in Thy way.
Romans 12:9b Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
1 Peter 1:13a Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind.
4. Some bad dreams result from simple, natural causes, or can be spiritually meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 5:3a [Going to sleep with our minds still filled with concerns of the day:] For a dream cometh through the multitude of business.
Ecclesiastes 5:7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
Isaiah 29:8a [Something we ate or some unmet physical need:] It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite.
5. Some troublesome dreams may actually be from the Lord, but these clearly differ from nightmares in that they always have a purpose, either prophetic, or to warn, or to offer positive lessons.
Genesis 40:5-23 [Joseph interpreted the troubling dreams of others:] And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. 6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. [The dreams, which were from the Lord, were fulfilled, one a dream of blessing and the other, a dream of judgment]
Genesis 41:1,8,32 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. … 8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. … [But Joseph interpreted it, saying:] 32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. [This dream helped preserve Egypt, as well as Joseph’s family, in time of famine]
Job 4:13-17 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, 14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. 15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: 16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, 17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than His Maker?
Job 7:13,14 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; 14 Then Thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions.
Isaiah 21:4 [The prophet received a frightful message of the judgment of Babylon from the Lord, which greatly disturbed his sleep:] My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath He turned into fear unto me.
Daniel 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
Matthew 27:19 When he [Pilate] was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just Man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.
6. Our first and surest defense against nightmares is to pray against them!
Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Matthew 18:18a Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven.
Matthew 18:19 [Ask others to pray with you:] Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven.
Ephesians 6:12,13,16,18 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. … 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. … 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
7. We should also specifically ask the Lord for positive, edifying, faith-building dreams, which God has promised to give to His children.
Numbers 12:6b I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
Job 33:15-17 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
Jeremiah 23:28a The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully.
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
8. We should meditate on the Lord and His Word as we go to sleep.
Psalm 17:4b By the Word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the Destroyer.
Psalm 43:2b,3 Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles.
Psalm 63:6,7 When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches. 7 Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.
Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 104:34 My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.
Proverbs 6:22 When thou goest, it [the Word] shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.
9. We must not dwell on nightmares we may have had.
Psalm 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken Thou me in Thy way.
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the Devil.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 1:28a And in nothing terrified by your adversaries.
10. Here are a few more of the Lord’s precious promises to claim for sweet dreams:
Deuteronomy 33:12a The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him.
1 Kings 8:56a Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto His people.
Job 11:18,19a And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. 19 also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid.
Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 16:7 I will bless the Lord, Who hath given me counsel: my reins [heart] also instruct me in the night seasons.
Psalm 29:11 The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.
Psalm 42:8 Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Psalm 55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
Psalm 139:2-3,18b Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. … 18b When I awake, I am still with Thee.
Ecclesiastes 5:12a The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
2 Peter 2:9a The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.
Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
