Does Everyone Have Their Own Guardian Angel? Learn the Truth
- What Are the Guardian Angels in a Nutshell
- What Is the Bible
- The Portrayal of Guardian Angels in Matthew 18:10
- God is Our True Guardian
There must have been instances in your life when you almost landed yourself in serious trouble but didn’t. When you came this close to danger but were safe. When you desperately needed an answer, and it miraculously came.
Many people would brush it off as sheer luck or coincidence. But those who know that there are things that our minds cannot comprehend will know the fingerprints of some divine forces. And the latter would be right. Do you know why? Because reportedly everyone has an Angel or a Guardian who watches over us.
That’s right, today we are tackling the topic of those entities that meet us in this world upon our arrival and that see us off as we go gently into that good night. Today, you’ll learn whether or not everyone has a Guardian Angel and the general opinion regarding these entities. Shall we?
What Are the Guardian Angels in a Nutshell?
While the concept of Guardian Angels is a bit complicated for a human mind to fully comprehend, the knowledge gathered over centuries can be condensed into the following. Guardian Angels are spiritual beings that are our divine protectors and guides. You might be wondering - does everyone have a Guardian Angel? Well, the most common notion is that everyone indeed does. What’s more, not only individuals have their Guardian Angels. Groups and even whole nations are said to be watched over by these benevolent beings.
There is an interesting thing about the concept of Guardian Angels. Turns out, such entities are present in multiple faith traditions around the world. Granted, they have slightly different manifestations, but the basic gist remains the same.
- For instance, in Christianity, Guardian Angels are said to be created by God. According to the Holy Bible, they are assigned to a person from birth.
- In Judaism, such an entity is known under the name of Melachim and is said to protect an individual.
- In Islam, entities known as Hafaza or Kiraman Katibin follow a person everywhere, perched on their shoulders. They record the person’s good deeds and bad deeds.
The interesting thing is that even people who consider themselves to be non-believers, still have an idea of a Guardian Angel. Most of them support the notion of Guardian Angels watching over us. Some even claim to have encountered them. So as you can see, the idea of a benevolent divine being has crossed over from religious to secular communities.
Modern spiritual traditions also have their stance on the whole Guardian Angel concept, as well as whether it is true that everyone has a Guardian Angel. According to modern interpretations, each individual indeed has a Guarding Angel, but they are more of a Higher Self-manifestation rather than a divine entity. Some practitioners even claim Guarding Angels to be an aspect of the collective unconscious. Another school of thought claims that Guardian Angels aren’t beings, but are rather a symbol of divine protection.
Still, it would be fair to say that the concept of a Guardian Angel is probably more closely connected to the Christian faith, so it is fitting that we look at it a bit closer.
What Is the Bible’s Stance on Guardian Angels?
Before we start with the obvious question, does it say that in the Bible, everyone has a Guardian Angel? - we still need to understand the Bible’s discussion of the very concept of these beings. First off, references to these divine protectors are spread across many chapters. Fun fact - there is not a single instance when they are referred to as Guardian Angels.
Here are the main takeaways when it comes to Guardian Angels in the Bible:
- The Bible does not explicitly state that everyone has a Guardian Angel
- An Angel might not stay with one person for the duration of their life
- Angels serve God first, and a human second
- The protection comes from God. Angels are only His servants
- Angels are interested in human salvation (1 Peter 1:12)
- Angels should not be worshipped (Colossians 2:18)
- Guardian Angels often appear in moments of crisis
- The Bible does not imply that we should communicate with the Angels
When it comes to direct depictions of Guardian Angels - or at least instances of their intervention or protection - these are the passages they are featured in:
Daniel 6:22. Daniel is saved from the hungry lions because God sent His Angels to shut the lions’ mouths
Genesis 19. Angels protect Lot and his family during the destruction of Sodom
Acts 12:15. People believed that Peter was freed from the prison by the Angels
Psalm 91:11-12. God is said to be able to send His Angels to protect people
Hebrews 1:4-14. According to the Bible, the Angels themselves worship the Lord
As you can see, the appearance of protective Angels in the Holy Book is thin and far between. However, there is a particular verse in the Bible that everyone has on their mind when it comes to Guardian Angels.
The Portrayal of Guardian Angels in Matthew 18:10
Matthew 18:10 is considered to be one of the most - if not the most - significant references the Bible makes to Guardian Angels. The verse itself reads: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
This passage is taken from Jesus’ discussion about humility, the value of children, and the need to protect the most vulnerable members of society. While some people interpret these words to claim that every child has a Guardian Angel, others have a different point of view.
According to the other school of thought, these words mean that the Angels are indeed real, but they do not serve us - they serve the Lord. The “see the face of my Father in heaven” strongly suggests that they are not located on Earth, watching our every step. On the contrary, they are up there, by the Lord’s side.
Granted, the Angles can indeed protect believers, but not on their own accord. They serve the will of God, and should He want to protect an individual, the Angels will obey. After all, the Angels have no way of knowing when a person needs help. God, on the other hand, knows everything.
Even though the Angels are of utmost importance, they are not God. They are referred to as protectors, but they are merely tools in the hands of the ultimate Protector.
Besides, if you dig deeper into the matter, you’ll learn that Angels - namely Gabriel and Michael - don’t just serve a single person. They help a vast number of believers, per God’s Will.
God is Our True Guardian
You know, the idea that not everyone has an Angel or a Guardian is both true and not true. When it comes to the notion of Guardian Angels in Christianity, we believe that you’ve got the idea - they aren’t free-willed entities supporting our every step. There is, however, one true guardian that is watching over us at all times - it is God.
The Christians believe God is the only one who should be worshipped and that He is the only one truly guarding each one of us.