How to Capture and Care for Your Very Own...Angel!

Update: 7-1-12

I felt convicted about the identifying information previously listed here and have removed it so as not to rail against those in the body of Christ. After all, i cannot judge what was truly in this teacher's heart. My apologies, and i know it's been read before, but going forward, hopefully any damage will stop.



I receive an email devotional every day from an online ministry. I don't read it every day, but from time to time, I do read them and occasionally find them of value spiritually. Many times I find the things they speak about to be kind of churchianitized and prosperity gospel oriented. Despite this, I don't have anything bad to say. They do what they believe God called them to do, and their work is between them and God.

One of these writers is a man I recall seeing as a TV preacher in my youth. Now, I don't know the full extent on this man or his controversies, but I have heard that some consider him a false teacher or at the very least, controversial. I don't know why, but that's what the rumor weed says. I've read some of his devotionals, and in my opinion I haven't seen anything that really set off any red flags and in fact I've found some of his teaching to be of value. Take that for what it's worth.

So, I hadn't had any issues with his teaching until today.

Now before we go further, I want to say I am not attacking the man nor do I wish to throw him under the bus as it were. But I wish instead to clarify his teaching today in light of the Bible. While I think what he said today is partially true, I think he took some things out of context and also said some things that set of my New Age radar, and I want to expose that potential danger to people who might try to act upon his teaching. In my time studying the New Age, I frequently saw articles and books that heavily promoted contact with angels.

The article start off on the right foot. His quote of Hebrews 1:14 is an accurate description of angels.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=1&v=1&t=NLT#top

Hebrews 1:14: Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

Mr. Preacher posits that angels are assigned to believers to guard us, but also they are waitng for us to give them marching orders. And not just once in a while, but every day and that we have to "activate" their work through faith.

Now the existence of angels is a fact, but the existence of "guardian" angels is debatable. I'm not sure where I fall on this issue yet, but the theories are there's permanent guardian assignments and then there's "as needed." I've also heard on a podcast, possibly Chuck Missler's, that children are given guardian angels for sure. But nowhere in the Bible do I recall seeing that you and I are to give them orders. We'll come back to this.

Next he quotes Psalm 103:20, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=103&v=1&t=NLT#top and he gets the quote sort of right, but implies that for us to get the angels working we have to speak the Word of God. Now, angels do obey the Word of God, that is true, but nowhere in the Bible do I recall seeing that we should read the Bible to command the angels to do anything. From my former New Age background, I read that as use God's word to get the angels to do my bidding like a magic spell.

I recommend reading the whole chapter, and following Chris White's "20/20" rule, that is read 20 verses before and after the verse in question to get the context but here it is:


Psa 103:17 NLT - But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children
Psa 103:18 NLT - of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Psa 103:19 NLT - The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.
Psa 103:20 NLT - Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.
Psa 103:21 NLT - Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!
Psa 103:22 NLT - Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the LORD.


As you read the whole chapter, this is not about using God's word to make angels obey us, but rather it's the Psalmist telling about how everything that has been made should be praising God. They're not praising God because the Psalmist said so, they're praising God because God is Holy.

Mr. Preacher goes on to say that he saw angels after a horrible car accident. I really can't say he's lying. He may very well have seen angels, I wouldn't doubt if he did. But how does he know they were "his" angels? Obviously he means "his" in the sense that God assigned them to him as guards. He doesn't say he tested the spirits, he seems to just assume they were good angels, but they very well could have been fallen angels surveying their attempt to kill him and the other ministers. I'm not saying they are good or bad, just that no attempt at discerning their nature was made. If it was, it wasn't stated in the article.

This reminds me of an article in "Fate" Magazine long ago. There was a man who was a drug addict, and one day he OD'ed and almost died in his shower. But he said that an angel came to save him, but he would have to do something for the angel. Since then, this man has done a large number of various paintings of angels and promotes the use of these paintings to heal others. He basically has come to worship angels.

At the time I thought this was OK because, well, angels are good and serve God. But I have since learned that this is not always the case. I would now argue that this drug addict encountered and was saved from death by a fallen angel so he would divert people away from real salvation in Jesus Christ.

Back to Mr. Preacher.

Regardless of the "Preacher's" angel's nature, he gives them credit for saving him, rather than stating that God's protective hand saved him. He's praising the creations, not the creator. God may have used angels to save his life, but even if that was the case, he should give thanks to his God. I'm sure there's an exact Bible passage for this, but it escapes me at the moment. This comes close.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=30&t=NLT#12

Psa 30:1 NLT - A psalm of David. A song for the dedication of the Temple. I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
Psa 30:2 NLT - O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.
Psa 30:3 NLT - You brought me up from the grave, O LORD. You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
Psa 30:4 NLT - Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.
Psa 30:5 NLT - For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psa 30:6 NLT - When I was prosperous, I said, "Nothing can stop me now!"
Psa 30:7 NLT - Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.
Psa 30:8 NLT - I cried out to you, O LORD. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,
Psa 30:9 NLT - "What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness?
Psa 30:10 NLT - Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD."
Psa 30:11 NLT - You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
Psa 30:12 NLT - that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!

He then quotes Psalm 91, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=91&v=1&t=NLT#top as evidence of divine protection. This Psalm I believe is about divine protection. I have prayed this to the Lord and received protection. I also believe this song pertains mostly to Jesus Himself because of the reference at the end that Satan uses to tempt Christ, but it also applies to Christians as well, in my opinion.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=91&v=1&t=NLT#top

Psa 91:1 NLT - Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 NLT - This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Psa 91:3 NLT - For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
Psa 91:4 NLT - He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psa 91:5 NLT - Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Psa 91:6 NLT - Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Psa 91:7 NLT - Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.
Psa 91:8 NLT - Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.
Psa 91:9 NLT - If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,
Psa 91:10 NLT - no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.
Psa 91:11 NLT - For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
Psa 91:12 NLT - They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.
Psa 91:13 NLT - You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
Psa 91:14 NLT - The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
Psa 91:15 NLT - When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
Psa 91:16 NLT - I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation."


But Mr. Preacher uses this as a basis for us to begin commanding angels about. If you notice in verse 11 it says HE (that's God folks) will order His angels to protect us. It doesn't say you and I should order them to. Preacher quotes it, but skips on to the part that supports his viewpoint. God says that HE will answer. In no way does this Psalm appear to be marching orders for the angelic hosts given by Christians.

It is a great spiritual warfare Psalm as it says "you" (I take this to specifically mean Christ, but also believers by extension. correct ME if I am wrong) will trample cobras, lions and that God will protect us.

Moving on, Daniel 3 is quoted. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Dan&c=3&v=1&t=NLT#top Preacher then said that God sent angels, I believe it's clear there's only one angel present, and some scholars even say that it's a pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.

Dan 3:1 NLT - King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Dan 3:2 NLT - Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up.
Dan 3:3 NLT - So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Dan 3:4 NLT - Then a herald shouted out, "People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king's command!
Dan 3:5 NLT - When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue.
Dan 3:6 NLT - Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
Dan 3:7 NLT - So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Dan 3:8 NLT - But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews.
Dan 3:9 NLT - They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "Long live the king!
Dan 3:10 NLT - You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments.
Dan 3:11 NLT - That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace.
Dan 3:12 NLT - But there are some Jews--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up."
Dan 3:13 NLT - Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in,
Dan 3:14 NLT - Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?
Dan 3:15 NLT - I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?"
Dan 3:16 NLT - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
Dan 3:17 NLT - If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
Dan 3:18 NLT - But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
Dan 3:19 NLT - Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.
Dan 3:20 NLT - Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
Dan 3:21 NLT - So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments.
Dan 3:22 NLT - And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in.
Dan 3:23 NLT - So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.
Dan 3:24 NLT - But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?" "Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did," they replied.
Dan 3:25 NLT - "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!"
Dan 3:26 NLT - Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.
Dan 3:27 NLT - Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn't even smell of smoke!
Dan 3:28 NLT - Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king's command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
Dan 3:29 NLT - Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!"
Dan 3:30 NLT - Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.


Note in the verse 25, there are three men thrown into the oven, but four are seen. This indicates only one angel (but probably in my opinion Christ Himself). Verse 28 also implies a singular supernatural entity, and even though this rescue occurred at the hands of said being, Nebuchadnezzar praises God.

So, then Preacher lists some things. I'm Ok with most of them until he uses Psalm 34:7 as another excuse for us to command angels. This is clearly not the case.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=34&v=7&t=NLT#7

Psa 34:6 NLT - In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
Psa 34:7 NLT - For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
Psa 34:8 NLT - Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!


Next he quotes Luke 1:45 "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." & Matthew 18:10 "Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father."

We do have to believe God will protect us, but neither of these verses refer to angels carrying out any aspect of salvation. Salvation come from faith in Christ and His death on the cross for our sins and His resurrection. See Galatians 1:4 for a decent summary of the Gospel.

Gal 1:4 "Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live."


He also covered a passage that was Christ specific, and even if it does apply to us believers we should use discernment in asking God to send angels to do anything. (Notice I said ask God to send angels, not us sending them). If Christ didn't call them forth, what business do we have doing it?


The name of Jesus Christ is the only thing spirits will listen to. I've covered this in previous blogs. I've had to cry out to Jesus mentally to deliver me from multiple cases of sleep paralysis and it worked. But as believers this is when we have authority, when we rely on Jesus Christ. We can use this authority (if we have given our lives to Jesus Christ and repented of our sins) to command evil spirits to leave an area or a person. Only when we encounter the spiritual with Jesus Christ do we have any say whatsoever. See Acts 3 and 16 for the power that name of Jesus Christ and a relationship with Him have.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=3&t=NLT#6

Act 3:5 NLT - The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.
Act 3:6 NLT - But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"
Act 3:7 NLT - Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man's feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.
Act 3:8 NLT - He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.


http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=16&t=NLT#18

Act 16:16 NLT - One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters.
Act 16:17 NLT - She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved."
Act 16:18 NLT - This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her.


Notice there was no instance of asking angels to do any of it. It was a Christian believer, commanding in the name, power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing else did it. Jesus working through His servant.


So, what do angels do?

My "Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary" says that they are created beings designed to serve and worship God. It also says that angels serve as messengers.

We see angels as messengers in the Bible. We also see Michael and Gabriel in combat roles fighting Satan's forces as well in the war of the Heavenlies (Ephesians 6:12). For more information on angels and their roles, see http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=angels&t=NLT

this may not cover everything, but it should catch alot of it. With the exception of Satan and the fallen angels in Genesis 6 and wherever else they appear you won't see angels doing more than delivering God's message or figthing for God. Even when they fight, it's often so that God's message can be delivered.

Not to plug this book again, but the book "The Dark Side of the Supernatural" has an amazing section on angels. I can't reproduce it all here, but it is a good foundation. Buy it from amazon.

Here's some of what I quoted in the post on the Virgin Mary. This should serve as a basic guide for how Christians should deal with angels.

page 28

* When an angel seeks to draw attention to himself and not to God, he is no angel.

* When an angel gladly accepts the adoration of men and women, you can be sure that he didn't come to us from Heaven.

* When an angel tells us that he will answer our prayers and give us what we desire, he is attempting to usurp God's authority, and he is not to be trusted.

* When an angel tells us that we can be equal to God, he is no angel.

He also says on page 128

Author Phil Phillips gives us five practical scriptural methods to "test the spirits." He writes that an authentic messenger from God

1) always proclaims-and never denies-that Jesus is God's Son and He came to earth in fleshly form;

2) always exalts Jesus Christ and points toward His atonement for sin, which He made when He died on the cross;

3) never encourages divination or occult practices;

4) never contradicts Scripture or dismisses its importance;

5) never undermines the majesty, glory, or holiness of almighty God, King of the Universe.


With all due respect to Mr. Preacher, I find that the Bible proves he is wrong on angels today, not to mention that not once does it mention Jesus Christ and His authority over angels in His article. (http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Pe&c=3&t=NLT#20)

1 Peter 3:22: "Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority."

This would be fine if it was just a general look at angels, but it's not. His article is essentially an endorsement for us to start talking with angels (remember that New Agers promote this alot) and telling them what to do. But by what authority can we command them? Only by the name, power and authority of (and a right relationship with God through) Jesus Christ. And even though we have authority over them, does that mean we should order them around? I would say no, unless it's a case of deliverance from demonic oppression or if the Lord directly leads us to. If we need angels, we ought to go to God, through Jesus Christ and ask Him to protect us and use angels if need be.

There's so much more I could say, but I think this is enough to show everyone that today's message from Mr. Preacher is a very dangerous one. It unknowingly opens the door for people to contact their guardian angels and I have no doubt that before long, someone would get in touch. Again, I mean no disrespect, but I do implore you to think and pray about it.

Please use discernment and ask God to show you the truth about angels and their role. He will make it clear if you ask in the name of His Son, Jesus and if you are sincere.

Peace