Sleep satisfied, untouched by evil
“The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.” (Prov. 19:23)
About dreams
Dreams are usually associated with happy and positive scenarios, but when they take a disturbing turn, you’re likely finding yourself in the middle of bad dream or a nightmare. A nightmare, or bad dream, is considered a dream that’s tied to negative, stressful emotions which can be caused by many things, such as by what you fed your mind with before going to bed, such as watching a scary movie or a negative television program; or by fearful things that may have happened to you during the day; or by worries or fears on your mind from events present or past, or they can even be caused by something you have eaten, preventing you from sleeping soundly.
While having a bad or scary dream on occasion isn’t abnormal, as a Christian, you can do something about them.
Before you go to sleep set your mind on the Spirit
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6)
Ask the Lord to help you sleep peacefully
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.” (2 Thess. 3:16)
Claim God’s sleep promises
There are many Bible promises about sleeping soundly and peacefully. Memorize them and meditate on them as you drift off to sleep.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Prov. 3:24)
“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.” (Psalm 3:5)
Deal with any Anxiety according to God’s Word
Anxiety is one of the chief causes of nightmares. Anxiety is defined as amplified fear, or simply put, fear on steroids, and as Christians, we have some great promises to claim regarding dealing with fear.
First, understand the biblical truth that anxiety is NOT from God! It’s from the devil and you have no obligation to obey it.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (John 14:27)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7)
Dealing with negative and sinful dreams
Finally, if you are having negative, inappropriate, or sinful dreams, you must deal with them exactly the same way as you do with other bad dreams or nightmares.
Arm yourself before you sleep. Ask God to give you good sleep before you drift off to sleep.
Fill your mind with God’s Word. Look up appropriate Bible passages which address the content of your dreams and commit them to memory. Meditate on them as you drift off to sleep.
Avoid entertainment and negative input that feed your sinful dreams. You know what that is for you.
And, if you do have a negative or sinful dream. Immediately upon awakening, recognize it for what it is, an attack from the devil that you absolutely reject. Confess it to God and turn from it. Here are three things to do.
1) Don’t ignore or dismiss it, recognize it for what it is. “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 27:13)
2) Ask God to search you for any hidden sin in your heart and let Him cleans you of anything He reveals. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me. (Psalms 139:23-24)
3) Confess it and and accept God’s forgiveness. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)