Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels

One of the most common references to comfort is the idea of every person possessing a “Guardian Angel.” Janice T. Connell best describes this thought when she writes, “The wisdom of the ages teaches that each individual, whether believer or not, good or bad, old or young, sick or well, rich or poor, has a personal Guardian Angel with him or her at every moment of life's journey.” While this may be a popular belief and worthy of security to trust in an overriding presence of an angel, the word of God never teaches this. There are numerous myths about angels that have been around for so long few realize the truth of what the Bible teaches concerning angels – and the Bible is the only source of information.

Angels are mentioned in 34 books of the Bible (Revelation with the most references). Misconceptions about angels include angels are women (always shown to be men), they have wings and play harps (angels never shown with wings – cherubim and seraphim are creatures), and angels are dead saints in heaven (we are resurrected not reincarnated; Luke 20:35-37). The Lord forbids the worship of angels (Colossians 2:18-19; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9).

The Bible does show that angels are messengers or ministering spirits. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)? God created them (Psalm 148:2-5), they are holy (Mark 8:38) and are without number (Hebrews 12:22). Two angels are revealed with names: Michael, the arch-angel (Daniel 10 & 12; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7) and Gabriel (Daniel 8-9; Luke 1). But what about Guardian Angels?

Matthew 18:10 is the proof text that many use to show that everyone has a guardian angel. Weldon Warnock writes, “Notice that Jesus said ‘their angels are in heaven, beholding the face of the Father,’ not on earth acting as personal protectors. The message Jesus was conveying seems to be that if the angels of heaven take special interest in and concern for the little ones, surely no Christian should despise, treat with disdain and contempt, even the most obscure disciple who shares in heaven’s blessings in the kingdom of God on earth.” It is important to separate the myth of guardian angels with the reality of the blessings found in a covenant with God.

Saints of God have enjoyed the comfort of God’s army to protect and minister to them (Joshua 5:13-15; 2 Kings 6:17). Jesus had protecting angels (Psalm 91:11-12; Matthew 4:6; Luke 22:43), Israel had protecting angels (Psalm 34:7) as well as Paul and Peter (Acts 27; 12). The care or ministry of angels is limited to only those in covenant with God (including the innocence of children). How God carries out His work is not revealed but we know He does not allow temptation to overtake us (1 Corinthians 10:13); He chastises us (Hebrews 12:3-11); He answers our prayers (James 1:2-8); He helps us (Hebrews 13:6); He blesses us (James 1:17) and so many more things. Whether angels are involved is only in the mind of God and not for man to suppose.

The key to a study of angels is like many things in the Bible. There are things that are known only to God (Deuteronomy 29:29) and whether we understand all there is to know about angels has nothing to do with our salvation. We are saved by the blood of Christ and our obedience is to Him – not angels (1 John 1:7).