Dear Conrad - Can Satan or demons have direct influence on your dreams? I know they can have effect on your life, which in turn will influence your dreams, but can they cause you to dream something? I keep having really horrific dreams about 2 or 3 times a week. The worst part is I'm usually dreaming about something that is true, so when I wake up I can't say, "Thank God that was just a dream." They are JUST dreams but when you are dreaming about something that is reality, they are as real as being awake. Thanks. – Fancy Pants Chance

Dear Fancy Pants Chance,

There is no record in Scripture that God ever allowed Satan or demons to have direct influence on people's dreams. It is clear though that we are engaged in spiritual warfare (...be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:10-12).

We are to resist the devil (Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith... (1Pet 5:8-9); (Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). These Scriptures lead me to believe that the devil likes to mess with our mind and desires to get to our subconscious – but in our dreams? Maybe. The Bible also makes no reference to demons reading anyone’s mind.

There is a bit of speculation since the Bible doesn’t come right out and say it. But influencing our sub-consciousness and directing it are two different things. He can suggest things (such as temptation) but does not have control over our bodies (Job 2:6).

But if it is Satan or not, remember the devil is a defeated foe. He and his demons are not to be feared. No doubt the devil wants to plant in our subconscious that he can harm us. Don’t focus on their power, but Christ’s power over them.

Please check out Eph 6:10-18.