The scene took place in the garage of a house. It was pretty dark, and the dream was in black and white. I was looking at a 3-tier plastic bin storage tower. The clear bins were empty. I was suddenly aware of a presence behind me. I turned to see that a superhuman sized strong man had entered the garage and was coming straight for me. When he reached me, he grabbed me and began stuffing me in one of the plastic bins. In the dream I knew if he succeeded in closing the lid I would disappear into a black void, and no one would know where I was. It was absolutely terrifying, and I woke up screaming!

In Part 1 we discussed the first three points of access for nightmares:

1. My personal sin 

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

3. Sin against me / trauma

In Part 2 we’ll look at the 4th reason - one of the most blatant reasons we suffer a nightmare - intrusion.

Access Through Intrusion

Evil influence can also stem from external intrusions, not necessarily linked to sin. Here I’m referring to an isolated nightmare, not a recurring pattern.

How can this happen? The simple answer is - the enemy plays dirty. 

Sometimes this can occur because of dark ruling spirits in a region. Land in an area can be defiled in many ways including the shedding of innocent blood, witchcraft, and idol worship. 

During a visit to Bavaria with my sister, niece and missionary friends, the dream above was just one of three intense nightmares in one night! I hadn’t woken from a nightmare screaming in years. I got up in the middle of the night, took authority over the tormenting intrusion in Jesus’ name and prayed cleansing over my mind, body, and spirit. 

I puzzled on why nightmares were allowed to break through on this trip. Earlier in my life nightmares were an almost nightly reality. As an adult, when I began to acknowledge trauma in the light of day, and walked through the healing process, the nightmares faded into a distant memory. 

The next morning when I woke, the others were already in the kitchen area of our Airbnb. As I joined the others, my bunk mate was just relating, “She woke up screaming Jesus name!” I can’t tell you how relieved I was - in the terror of the moment, I hadn’t realized I’d called out for Jesus’ help. Hearing this, I made a mental note that often we instinctively respond in our spirit without consciously knowing it. 

Later that week, we were informed that this particular area was known for its historical occult bloodshed and current practice of witchcraft. The land was defiled, and we were staying in a region dominated by dark forces. Mystery of the nightmares solved! Intrusion.

What can we do if we experience a nightmare with no known tie to our sin, the sins around us in our life, or the sins of our past generations?

Reclaim Authority in Jesus’ Name

If the enemy has intruded, the solution is, once again, to take authority in Jesus’ name. We have been bought with the blood of Jesus and in Him given authority over all the power of the enemy. 

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and

scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”

Luke 10:19

“...that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."

Ephesians 1:18-23

In Jesus we have been given power to take authority over and expel any evil forces, sending them to Jesus for judgment. Follow this up by commanding all negativity out of our cells, our blood, our hearts, and every organ in our body. We are body, soul and spirit - it stands to reason that each aspect of our being is affected by these intrusions. Wrap it up by receiving the life and light of the Lord into every place the darkness lodged itself - physically, emotionally and spiritually. What a relief!

Go to God for Justice

Unlawful intrusions are a strategic time to ask God for justice. After all, we are His kids and joint heirs with Christ with full rights to justice. He is a God of justice!

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; 

love and faithfulness go before you.” 

Psalm 89:14

“The Lord is our God, bringing justice everywhere on earth.

He will never forget His agreement or His promises, not in thousands of years.”

Psalm 105:7, 8

Asking God for justice is a seldom-taught truth in Christian circles. Many believers I've encountered haven’t realized that, as citizens of Heaven, we have the right to seek justice when the enemy infringes upon us. 

Justice can come in many forms. We may witness an increase in favor, the loved one we’ve been praying for could come to know Jesus, we might experience breakthroughs in challenging situations, see financial prosperity or supernatural provision, or celebrate the restoration of a fractured relationship. 

Joseph is a spectacular example of God's justice in the face of the injustices he endured throughout his life. Although he endured extreme highs and lows, he also experienced remarkable favor. As a result of unjust treatment, Joseph developed leadership and management skills, he prospered financially beyond measure, and ultimately he relished complete reconciliation with his family!

When you ask the Lord for justice, also ask Him to help you recognize it when it arrives. His justice may not come in the way you want or expect, but it will come! 

Intrusion resulting in a nightmare is never fun. Avoid treating these intrusions as “business as usual”, brushing it off. In the natural realm, we would never allow an intruder to just barge in, cause havoc and terror and waltz out without calling on authorities and pursuing justice. 

The presence of the enemy is meant to cause fear, torment, and deviation from our destiny. These dark forces were defeated once and for all through the sinless life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. 

It’s up to us to enforce that victory!