Sinning while dreaming

It seems to me that sinning requires some kind of conscious action or thought. Temptation itself is not sin. Since dreaming is neither it can hardly qualify as a sin action. I guess if you have a sinful activity in a dream you could ask God to clease your mind and heart of that sinfulness. Usually I cannot remember more than a fleeting glimpse of dreams, so I would hard pressed to confess wrong doing in them.

Sweet dreams.:sleeping_2:

 

I believe to an extent they are, or can be. Dreams are a byproduct of what we experience, see and hear. Many times they are of past sins we have committed (or wanted to commit), what we have witnessed, etc.

If we can't be held accountable for what we do in our dreams, how could those in the Bible be held accountable for what they were told to do in dreams? If Joseph said "oh, it was just a dream" and divorced Mary, would he have been held accountable for that?

All I know is...when I have a dream that I know is sinful, I still ask God to forgive me for what came out of my heart.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Is it possible to sin while you dream?

I tend not to think so.
I’m reminded of James 1:15

Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
NASB95

If one is unsure, it would be a good time to talk to God and confess our need for him to protect us at all times.

Rob

 

How does this relate to dreams of lust?

 

I wish I could say what happened once to my wife as she woke once, but it wouldn't be allowed here.

Since I didn't ask her thoughts during the dreaming(seconds before she opened her eyes), I don't know if it was a sin.


I believe chemicals play a part in it, because how conscious we are dictates our ability to control the events in the dream.

When Jesus was in the boat with his disciples, they were sound asleep. Yet when the waves became more vengeful, they woke up afraid. Whatever their dreams were, I bet they didn't have much control over them (their thoughts) at the time. They sounded like they were in a heavy, sedated sleep to be able to fall asleep despite the waves.

 

grievous sin :laugh:

 

Well said.

But as I have heard more than one person say when it comes to defining "What is sin"

When in doubt repent! raying:

Tiny is this a doctrine? :laugh:

I am just kidding!! It is a joke refering to another thread!

 

What are dreams?

And,

Do we have control over them?

 

You may want to read that passage again, Joe. It nowhere says the Disciples were sleeping... only Jesus.

 

1. Dreams are images, scenarios, or ideas that occur involuntarily during sleep.

2. Yes and no. We control what we see, hear and experience...what our dreams are composed of, but not the dream itself.

There have been numerous dreams where in the midst of some crisis I would tell my "character" of myself to bow down and pray that the dream would end...and I would then awaken.

 

I guess if some of those images, scenarios, and ideas are evil, then we do sin in our dreams.

And in my case, wondering what was real and what was not.

 

Correct. I have those dreams that are so stupid, they don't make a lick of sense...dreams where I'm back in my football days catching every pass thrown to me...and some dreams that would make Larry Flynt blush. I think we can discern when a dream is sinful, and better not just dismiss the need to ask forgiveness for the content of that dream just because it is a dream. If we are not held accountable for the content of dreams, everybody God spoke to in dreams would not be held accountable for disobeying Him in those dreams.

 

I will say yes, we can sin with our dreams. While dreams are not really under our control, what we do with them once we are awake is another matter. I have dreamt some things that would be extremely sinful to ponder, but my sin was in rehashing those dreams, lingering over them.

Actually, you can exert some manner of control in your dreams. I have stopped some things of this ilk in my dreams. I am only able to do this when I am close in my walk with the Lord, though.

 

" I had a dream about Tiny Tim - was that a sin:laugh:" Thought we were talking about dreams not nightmares :thumbs:

 

I agree, and I guess when we awake from those types we need to ask forgiveness.

 

When I was a child I used to have a dream that someone would give me money. I would wake up from it and look over at my clinched fist and slowly open it to reveal an empty hand. Does that mean that I coveted or lusted after money? I've had numerous dreams when I'd wake up singing a hymn.

I have come to figure out that the types of food that I had for supper will bring on much dream activity. Starchy and sugary foods tend to make for an active night. It is true what Ebenezer Scrooge surmises when confronted with the Ghost of Marley. :laugh:

Some scientist suggest that dream activity is the brain's way of sorting the day's events into our memory. (Hmmmmm, I wonder if my computer dreams?) If it is a natural way our brain is wired then the brain is doing what is natural to the flesh. The flesh, as we know, is naturally sinful. This indeed may be a reason why there are none that can say they are righteous but God. After all, does God dream? Why would He have to commit anything to memory?

We are sinful by nature and dreaming is natural to all of us. So I believe that it is just part of the total package. :type:

 

I can remember when I was a kid that I dreamed I was floating and really felt like I was. It was a lot of fun and hated it when I woke up more.