Why do we have bad dreams in which we do things that horrify us when we wake up? When we regain consciousness, our whole soul revolts against the doing of the thing that we have just dreamed that we did! Sometimes we pray, "Lord, don't let me again have a bad dream like that!" And then we have one. What's going on?
Perhaps an inspired apostle may help us, Paul in Galatians 5. The bad things we do in our dreams are an illustration of "the works of the flesh" being "manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, seditions," etc., etc. A synonym of "the flesh" is "sinful nature," which we all have by birth from Adam. Don't be deceived into thinking that you have "holy flesh" when you are converted; you have no natural righteousness of your own, not even 1%. You are wholly dependent on the righteousness of Christ.
"The flesh" has a reservoir of evil things it can do and which you and I would do but for the grace of Christ. Peter never dreamed that it was possible for him to deny Christ with cursing; and he was an ordained apostle! It was "the flesh" that motivated him to do what he did. King David had never dreamed that it was possible for him to commit the double sin of adultery and murder; it was "the flesh" that took over control. You and I have no idea of the evil that we could do if the Savior were to abandon us. So, thank Him from the depths of your heart that it was "only a dream," and choose again to "go for a walk with the [Holy] Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (see vss. 16-19).
Yes, the flesh will tempt you, and try to allure you; but remember Peter and remember how weak you are of yourself. The Lord has promised to "hold your right hand" (Isa. 41:10, 13), and that is the only reason you don't fall. Now, don't wriggle your hand out of His hand like a rebellious child crossing a busy street. Let Him hold you by the hand; respond to His constant promptings. And when your race is over at last, you will thank Him for saving you 100%.
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 30, 2000.
Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
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