10 Things We Get Wrong about Angels

1. Angels grant wishes or fulfill personal desires.

No matter how much we may wish that angels can grant our wishes, we can’t use angels to fulfill our personal desires. The Bible shows that angels serve as instruments of God's will rather than wish-fulfilling creatures. While they may intervene in human affairs, their work aligns with God's purposes, because they obey God’s will. Psalm 103:20-21 declares: “Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.” This passage emphasizes angels serving God’s will rather than catering to people’s personal desires. Recognizing angels as servants of God, not wish-fulfillers, leads us to a more accurate perspective on their service. While some people may attempt to manipulate angels for personal gain, the Bible is clear that holy angels only do what God wants them to do: what is truly best. Angels can inspire us to trust God in deeper ways rather than seeking wish fulfillment. Rather than taking a transactional approach to faith, we can take a relational approach like the angels do.

2. Angels can be prayed to.

The Bible directs prayer to God, not angels. Seeking the direct intervention of angels bypasses God’s authority, which is spiritually dangerous. While angels serve crucial roles, they are not independent deities worthy of prayer. In Revelation 22:8-9, the Apostle John falls at an angel’s feet in worship after being overwhelmed by a wondrous vision of heaven. However, the angel promptly responds in verse 9: “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” The angel’s response is a clear reminder that only God is worthy of worship. Since prayer is a form of worship, we must be careful not to pray to angels. We can venerate (honor) angels, but veneration is different from worship. The Bible emphasizes the fundamental truth that angels – no matter how powerful or awe-inspiring they may be – are not objects of worship but fellow servants of God, along with us. Angels don’t compete with God for our prayers. Instead, they lead us toward a deeper connection with God. So, we shouldn’t ever bypass God with our prayers, but go directly to God to communicate. We can trust that God will answer our prayers in ways that are best – including sending angels to help us when that’s appropriate.

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3. Angels are omniscient.

Angels may seem like they’re all-knowing (omniscient) when they’re portrayed in movies and television shows, but they’re not. The Bible establishes God as the sole source of unlimited knowledge and power. For example, Psalm 147:5 says about God: “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” While angels have advanced understanding, they aren't omniscient. Jesus speaks about something the angels don’t know (when the end of the world will happen) in Mark 13:32 when he says: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Angels certainly inspire wonder in us with their deep spiritual knowledge, but they don’t know everything – only God does. 

4. Angels are omnipotent.

Angels wield significant power, but not unlimited power (omnipotence). The Bible acknowledges angels’ great power. They are described as mighty warriors battling evil forces (Revelation 12:7) and agents of God’s judgment (2 Samuel 24:15-17). However, their power ultimately comes from God and remains finite. Angels can’t do what only God can do – such as create life – and holy angels don’t do anything contrary to God's will. By understanding their strengths and limitations as described in the Bible, we can appreciate angels’ roles as powerful servants of God, without elevating them to divine status. Ultimately, recognizing God as the sole source of all knowledge and power fosters a deeper understanding of God’s sovereignty and our trust and reliance on him.

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5. Angels engage in human activities.

While popular culture sometimes portrays angels acting like humans, the Bible doesn’t mention them engaging in human activities such as eating, sleeping, taking part in romantic relationships, or having children. Angels focus on serving God and carrying out spiritual endeavors, which is distinct from physical activities. The Bible presents angels as celestial beings dedicated to spiritual matters, delivering messages, protecting and guiding humans, and executing divine judgments. Their nature differs from humans. Angels don’t have physical bodies like we do, so they don’t have human physical needs like hunger or sleep. Psalm 104:4 describes how God has created angels to be as ethereal as winds or fire: “He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.” Bible accounts of angels interacting with humans rarely involve them participating in daily human routines. Instead, those accounts emphasize their spiritual essence and divine missions. 

6. Deceased loved ones become angels.

Although someone may try to comfort a grieving person by saying that their loved one who has passed away will become an angel, that’s simply not true. The Bible is clear that humans and angels are distinctly different creations. Psalm 8:4-5 asks God: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” This passage distinguishes between people and angels. Also, the Bible never mentions any humans who became angels. While the Bible proclaims that deceased loved ones can be saved by faith in Jesus (John 3:16) and join angels in heaven to worship God together (Revelation 7:9-12), it doesn’t say that anyone who has lived a human life on earth can transform into an angel in heaven.

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7. Angels have wings.

While artistic depictions often show angels with wings, the Bible rarely mentions their physical appearance. Passages that mention wings are usually metaphorical, like Isaiah 6:2, which describes seraphim angels (who each have six wings) in a symbolic vision of God’s throne in heaven. But most Bible verses about angels portray them in human form or in heavenly form as radiant beings of light. The enduring cultural image of majestic, winged angels soaring through the sky may have arisen from artists’ attempts over the centuries to depict how angels move quickly and appear in different places around the world. Since angels can show up on earth wherever God sends them, it may seem like they have wings to fly. However, the Bible doesn’t say that all angels have wings. 

8. Angels exist in a strict hierarchy.

While the Bible mentions various angelic ranks – like archangels, cherubim, and seraphim – it doesn't specify any rigid organizational hierarchy that God has set up. Instead, the Bible simply emphasizes angels’ service to God. The roles and relationships of angels aren't clearly defined in the Bible. Rather than detailing a hierarchy of power, the Bible mentions the service and function of different angelic ranks. Seraphim praise God, cherubim guard God’s presence, and archangels deliver messages or lead other angels. The term “angel” is used broadly in the Bible, which suggests that there is flexibility in God’s design for them. Also, the Bible consistently emphasizes God's sovereignty. Angels, as created beings, serve God’s will instead of pursuing independent power or positions.

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9. Angels have specific genders.

In the Bible, angels are typically referred to with masculine pronouns by default, but there are no specific descriptions of their genders in the sense that humans understand genders. Angels are spiritual beings, so their nature transcends the physical aspects we associate with gender. When the Bible uses masculine pronouns for angels, that might be interpreted as symbolically representing characteristics like strength, authority, or leadership, which people in the ancient world associated with the male gender. Ultimately, the Bible emphasizes the roles and functions of angels more than their specific genders.

10. Angels are cute and cuddly creatures.

The contrast between popular culture’s portrayal of angels as cute and cuddly cherubs with tiny wings and their biblical depiction as powerful beings reveals a significant disconnect. While cherubic figurines are beloved, the Bible presents angels as beings who are so powerful that they tend to scare people when they show up. Angels who appear to people in their heavenly glory often have to say, “Do not be afraid,” before delivering their messages (Luke 2:10, Matthew 28:5, and many other examples). Bible descriptions of angels evoke awe and emphasize angels as mighty agents of God’s will. While people may enjoy garden statues and plush toys that depict cute angels, it’s important to remember that real angels are creatures with immense God-given power. The Bible encourages us to respect angels and the crucial work they do on assignments from God.

Learning what the Bible says about angels is important to dispel popular misconceptions and develop a more accurate and profound understanding of them. By studying the Bible, we gain insights that challenge culturally influenced depictions of angels. Then, we can grasp their true nature, roles, and significance in God’s plan. This knowledge not only deepens our wisdom, but also guards against idolatry or misdirected beliefs. Angels are focused on God with great love. Embracing the biblical perspective on angels encourages us to follow their examples of devotion to God!

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