In this Q&A from our Orthodox Bible study, we look at a common question: what should we make of dreams and visions in the spiritual life? The Orthodox Church teaches caution here, reminding us that not everything we experience comes from God, even if it seems spiritual.

The discussion explains how the Fathers approach dreams with sobriety and humility. Sometimes dreams are simply natural, even influenced by what we eat or think about. Other times, they may be temptations or deceptions, since Scripture warns that even Satan can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Because of this, Orthodox Christians are taught not to trust spiritual experiences quickly or place too much importance on them.

Instead, the focus remains on prayer, humility, and obedience. The saints teach that if something is truly from God, it will endu ...