I dreamed this dream many times as a child. I would fly from the top of our basement stairs, exhilarated to sail effortlessly through the air. When I landed easily at the bottom of the stairs I would turn around to run back up the stairs and “do it again” as little children love to do! Suddenly, darkness would surround me and I would flip the light switch to chase away the darkness. Nothing would happen. I then became aware of a witch behind me trying to take me captive. Desperately, I would try to scramble up the stairs, but my legs would only move in slow motion. I would wake up screaming in terror. The enemy of our souls loves to steal the spotlight, and he will employ any tactic to entice us to shift our focus away from God and onto him. After all, his chief original sin was pride and he and his kingdom have never changed their tactics. One look at nightmares will show that he is still up to his old schemes. 

So, what exactly are nightmares and where do they come from?

Nightmares are not a product of our imagination and certainly they are not from the Heavenly Father. This kind of dream is fashioned by dark forces - forces set you and against the Kingdom of God. Their goal is to create fear, to harass us, to steal our rest, and to weaken us. Just think for a moment how you have felt after enduring a nightmare!

These no-win, terrifying dream scenarios are designed to leave us with a feeling of helplessness and anxiety. Zechariah warned that demons, the evil spirits behind idol worship, are the source of false dreams.

“For the idols speak delusion; the diviners envision lies and tell false dreams…” 

Zechariah 10:2

So, if we are children of God, followers of Jesus, of the Kingdom of heaven, how can these evil forces can to disturb our dreams? 

The simple answer is that there are four ways the enemy gains access to our life - three of these ways are through sin and one is through intrusion. 

If the access is through sin, the source of sin can be one of three things - personal sin, someone else’s sin / sin around me, and sin perpetrated against me / trauma. The fourth path of access to harass is through straight up intrusion.

1. My personal sin 

2. Someone else’s sin / sin in the environment

3. Sin against me / trauma 

4. Intrusion

Personal Sin

If I am living in a pattern of sin, the scriptures tell us the enemy has an open door to wreak havoc. A primary example would be anger, resentment and unforgiveness in our own lives. The Word makes it clear that this is a standing invitation for the enemy to torment with nightmares.

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 

Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize any area of personal sin that is granting access resulting in nightmares. He is so faithful to do this - God wants us free even more than we do!

“Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.”

Psalm 139:23-24

Someone Else’s Sin / Sin in the Environment

Sin in the environment or iniquity of past generations is a second reason that the doors remain unlocked while we sleep is. 

I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins (iniquity) of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.  But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

Deuteronomy 5:9-10

Iniquity is different than just an act of sin. It is a distorted way of living life - a tendency, weaknesses, or bent toward a sin pattern. Iniquity is what will negatively affect multiple generations if not dealt with. 

So how do we deal with sins of the past generations if we want to put a stop to nightmares?

5 Steps to Closing the Door of Access Because of Sin

1. Confess Sin

If the enemy’s access is through my sin or sins in past generations, come out of agreement with the enemy by confessing sin. 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 

1 John 1:9

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” 

James 5:16

2. Repent from Sin

Follow confession with repentance either on your own behalf or on behalf of previous generations. Nehemiah provides a powerful example of this principle:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you.”

 Nehemiah 1:5-7

3. Renounce Sin

After confessing and repenting, the next step is to renounce the sin. To renounce simply means to state publicly that you no longer agree with a particular belief or that you will no longer behave in a particular way. 

“The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” 

Proverbs 28:13

4. Expel Enemy Influence

Finally, it’s crucial to expel / drive out any evil influence resulting from sin—whether it's your own or from previous generations. Command those forces to leave and go directly to Jesus for judgment. Just like kicking a squatter off of your property.

5. Replace / Refill with Truth

Finish sealing the door of access by declaring God’s truth over your life. For every belief or action that contradicts the principles of God's Kingdom, there is an opposing truth. Ask the Lord to show you what that truth is. Research Scriptures that affirm that truth and declare them over yourself and your home. 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; 

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” 

Hebrews 4:16

In summary, to eliminate the enemy’s access because of sin:

1. Confess

2. Repent

3. Renounce

4. Expel

5. Replace with Truth
   

Nightmare Access Because of Sin Against Me 

Sins perpetrated on an individual and / or trauma they’ve experienced often manifest in nightmares. Although these nightmares are distressing, they act as a signal from the Lord that something requires attention and healing.

Repeated nightmares are like an “X” on a treasure map saying, “dig here!” 

God is never the source of sins against us, nor does He perpetrate trauma. But He will leverage these grievous experiences to draw us closer. He leverages them to catapult us into our destiny to an even greater measure! Joseph is a powerful example of this truth about God. 

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20

Examples of trauma events that could cause nightmares include:

• natural disasters 

• a violent attack or accident

• military combat

• sexual assault

• physical abuse

• the death of a loved one

• bullying

• severe illness

• childhood neglect or abandonment

• witnessing violence

• sudden life changes 

These events are particularly impactful when they are experienced by children.

If you or someone you know suffers from repeated nightmares and are aware of trauma, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to trustworthy, trauma-informed counsel. Commit to the process of healing and freedom!

If repeated nightmares are a pattern and you’re not consciously aware of any trauma, ask the Holy Spirit to bring to light any hidden hurts that need attention. Tell God you are willing to sort through what He reveals to you and partner with Him in your healing. Again, Psalm 139 is a great prayer when seeking God for help:

“Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.” 

Psalm 139:23-24

The Hebrew word for “hurtful way,” otseb, also means “pain – bodily or mental; sorrow.” God is so eager to work alongside us! He loves to heal hidden pain and then lead us His life-giving ways.

Nightmares are not normal, and you do not have to live that way. May God give you insight, the resources to heal, and total freedom from the enemy’s torment!

(Take a look at what to do with nightmares because intrusion in “4 Reasons we have Nightmares and How to Stop Them - Part 2”)