Hi Dstorm,
This is a very interesting question! I will share what is given to my heart.
A dream should be tested and discerned through the Word of God.
At the minimum we should have a good knowledge of the Bible and have good understanding as well.
Good knowledge means we know the Bible more than just skimming the surface.
Good understanding means we spend quality time meditating on the Word of God.
Once we have good knowledge and good understanding of the bible, then we should ask the Holy Spirit to speak to our heart regarding the dream, and then keeping our heart sensitive to the Hoy Spirit. We can do this even when we are doing our job, chores , or any physical task.
As we are doing our physical work and as we are meditating on the dream, then usually the meaning of the dream will be given. Each imagery in your dream has a specific meaning and if you continue to keep your heart in the peace of God, you will receive more understanding..
There are a few categories of dreams
a) there are dreams that shows a riddle. example is the statue that Daniel saw, and Joseph's dream of famine in Egypt.
b) there are also dreams that unlock riddle. Example is Daniel and Joseph's dream that gives the interpretation
c) there are dreams that gives warning from the Lord. Example is the Lord warns Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt with Jesus when He was a child. The dream that you had about your daughter was also a dream of warning.
d) there are also dreams where the Lord reveals the future. Sometimes the Lord will revealed where you will stay and what you will be doing years from now. However, this dream will not come to pass if you do not step out in faith. There is a lot to be said here but we'll skip this for now..
e) finally, there are dreams that are demonic in nature and originates from evil spirits. These are caused by deceiving spirits and are employed by the devil to deceive and misled. This is why a good knowledge and good understanding of the Word of God is required.
A snake/ scorpion/ evil creature represents demons and usually your spirit is able to detect that which is evil.
Dreams that comes from the Lord comes with genuine peace. Dreams that does not comes with peace must be rechecked and kept in view. If it shows that you are being harmed, then you need to take authority over that particular demon, rebuke it in the name of Jesus and in your prayer declare that you reject all of satan's plan to overthrow you in Jesus's Name.
Declare aloud in your prayer that you will have nothing to do with the devil's plan and declare also that you agree wholeheartedly to the Lord's plan only. This will be an evidence before the Lord and frustrates the devil's plan against you.
If you have come to this stage, you will need other brothers and sisters who are the same mind in this matter to stand with you. The devil will try to discourage you from your decision, but you will need to stand grounded in the Word of God.
Keep yourself in the joy of the Lord, because THAT WILL BE YOUR STRENGTH. The Joy of the Lord IS YOUR STRENGTH.
Without joy, it is hard to maintain your ground. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, brother..
I hope this provide some basic foundation for you. God bless...
