Genesis 37:5 (NKJV) Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.
For Christians, there are typically four safeguards to consider before deciding to walk out God’s will and calling for our lives. These safeguards are first, a given Word from God; second, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit; third, godly counsel; and lastly, dreams or visions.
However, it is unwise to share your dream with others prematurely because not everyone will be excited about someone else’s calling. Some may try to dissuade you from God’s purpose for your life. Not everyone is supportive or encouraging when we reveal what God has spoken to us. In fact, some people might even discourage you from responding to the call out of jealousy. The devil is the thief of dreams, and he will attempt to talk you out of it, telling you it is impossible and that you are not ready. Therefore, you must be wise about when and with whom you share what God seems to have spoken to you. Meanwhile, you need to understand that walking in God’s call for your life will require faith. It is not something you can achieve on your own. Faith pleases God, so you must keep your eyes, minds, and hearts fixed on Him.
Instead, it would be wise to share your calling with trusted people of faith, because it takes faith to follow God’s call in our lives. Therefore, it would be beneficial to share with those who are filled with faith and who understand spiritual matters.
It is also wise to take time to pray about what God has spoken to you, whether it was the Word, a dream, a vision, or the leading of the Holy Spirit. Of course, one needs to be familiar with how the Holy Spirit guides and bears witness to our spirit concerning what we feel the Lord is leading us to do. We should always seek confirmation from the Word during our devotion. Sometimes, God might have His servant prophesy to you. Nonetheless, we should never act solely on personal prophecy, as it is possible that the person prophesying about you might have missed it or spoken out of the flesh. Personal prophecy should only serve as confirmation of what God has already spoken to you. You are a child of the Heavenly Father. Therefore, He will speak to you personally, not solely through someone’s prophetic gift, even though it may act as confirmation.
Everything will be fulfilled in God’s time. There is no need to try to make what was spoken, what was received, and what was dreamt about to happen through your own strength. God is sovereign, and He will ensure that His plan is fulfilled in His time.
Reflection: Who are the trusted, faith‑filled people in your life with whom you can safely share what God has spoken to you? What step of faith is God inviting you to take today as you hold onto it?
Sermon Series: Are You Joseph?
紧紧持守你的异梦
创世记 37:5 约瑟做了一梦，告诉他哥哥们，他们就越发恨他。
对于基督徒而言，在决定是否踏上神为我们生命所预备的旨意与呼召之前，通常有四个重要的属灵印证：第一，是神所赐下的话语；第二，是圣灵在内心深处的印证；第三，是敬虔之人的劝勉与指引；第四，则是异梦或异象。
然而，过早分享神给你的异梦，并不是明智之举，因为并不是每一个人都会为你的呼召感到欢喜。有人可能会试图劝退你，使你偏离神在你生命中的旨意；也有人会因着嫉妒，而用消极的话语打击你，使你对神的呼召产生动摇。仇敌向来是偷窃异梦的。他会在你耳边低声说：“这不可能。”“你还没有预备好。”因此，对于神似乎向你所说的话，你需要有智慧地分辨何时分享、向谁分享。同时，你也必须明白，行在神的呼召中，始终需要凭着信心。这不是靠自己的能力就能完成的路。信心蒙神喜悦，因此，无论环境如何变化，都要让你的眼目、心思与心灵定睛在神的身上。
另外，分享给那些值得信赖、满有信心的人。因为跟随神的呼召本身就需要信心，所以与那些属灵成熟、明白神作为的人同行，会成为你极大的帮助与扶持。
同样重要的是，你也需要花时间为神向你所说的话祷告。无论那是借着圣经的话语、异梦、异象，或是圣灵内里的引导。我们也需要渐渐熟悉圣灵如何引导我们，如何在我们的灵里作见证，使我们能辨明神所带领的方向。与此同时，也要常常在灵修中回到神的话语里，寻求进一步的印证。有时候，神也可能借着祂的仆人向你说预言。然而，我们绝不可单单根据个人预言来作决定。因为人有可能听错，也可能掺杂了自己的意思。个人预言应当只是印证神已经亲自向你说过的话，而不是你行动的唯一依据。你是天父的儿女。祂必亲自向你说话，而不只是单单借着别人的恩赐来带领你。先知性的服事可以成为印证，但真正的引导，仍然来自神亲自对你的启示。
神所应许的一切，都会在祂所定的时候成就。你不需要靠自己的努力去促成那些已经领受的话语、异梦或感动成为现实。神是掌权的主，祂必按着自己的时间，亲自成全祂在你生命中的计划。
默想：在你的生命中，有哪些值得信赖、满有信心的人，是你可以安心分享神向你所说的话的人？当你紧紧持守神所赐的异梦时，今天神正在邀请你迈出哪一步信心的脚步？
讲章系列：你是约瑟吗？