Guardian Angels

Matthew 18:10,” take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven”. Do little children have guardian angels? Some use this verse to teach they do. But what do the Scriptures say about this? Angels have always been used by God to carry out His will. But the question is, what will of God do they carry out? Is the will of will of God for them to keep individuals from harm?     Do people today have angels who watch over them? This question is often asked. We often hear people say when an accident or bad event happens to someone, their guardian angel was watching over them. Does the Bible teach this? Psalms 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear him, and delivers them”. Does this verse teach that there are guardian angels who deliver those whom they watch over from tragic events?

            We need to keep in mind a statement that Christ made in Matthew 4:7. Satan in verse 5 of this chapter took Jesus up into the holy city, set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him in verse 6, “if you are the Son of God, throw or jump down from here, for it is written, he shall give his angels charge over thee”. This is a quotation from Psalms 91:11. What Satan told Jesus was, go ahead and jump for your Father has given charge to his angels that you will not be hurt. Is this the teaching of Psalms 91:11? Notice Jesus answer in verse 7, “Jesus said to him, it is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God”. Satan tried to apply this verse to physical protection of Jesus. He would not be hurt. Jesus says to use this verse as meaning this is to tempt God.                          

            So, what Satan quoted from Psalms 91:11 does not mean physical protection. We need to understand the context of Matthew 18:10. The little ones here are not little children even though verse 4 mentions a little child. Christ is here dealing with an attribute of a little child. For one to be in the kingdom, he must humble himself. Look at verses 11-14 of this chapter. Verse 11 mentions Christ came to save that which was lost. A little child is not lost. He mentions in verse 12, 13 lost sheep that is found.  In verse 14, Jesus says that the will of the Father is that these little ones should not perish. The little ones are those in the kingdom.

            Angels have a part in man’s salvation however God chooses to use them. We must keep this in mind. They are part of God’s eternal purpose for man, whatever their part may be   . They are called “ministers” sent forth by God to those who will “inherit” salvation. Hebrews 1:7, “ He makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire”. God could do as He wished with the angels. They were His ministers according to His desires. God uses them for judgment.

            Hebrews 1:14, “ are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minster for those who will inherit salvation”? They do not send themselves forth, but are sent by God for a certain purpose. They are sent by God to minister to those who are heirs of salvation. They execute God’s will. They are not elevated above Christ. Hebrews 1:13, “ but to which of the angels has He ever said, sit at My right hand till I make Your enemies Your footstool”.

- CL Bruner