Ephesians 6:14 NIV
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
THE FUNNEL OF TRUTH:
Philippians 4:8 NIV
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
• WHAT DOES A FAITH-BASED CONCEPT DICTATE?
(VIRTUE - Arete = excellence in declaration.)
• WHAT DOES CELEBRATING GOD SOUND LIKE?
(PRAISE)
1. HOW QUICKLY IS AN ANGEL SENT ON ASSIGNMENT?
Ezekiel 1:13 – 14
13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
Also, a spirit is not restricted to walls, doors, or other objects.
Christ in His resurrected body walked through a door that was locked.
John 20:19
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
2. CAN WE SEND ANGELS TO OTHER ASSIGNMENTS?
Psalm 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Nowhere in scripture does it say that we can assign the angels designated to OUR LIVES over someone else.
HOWEVER, WE CAN COMMISSION angels to set up shop over areas WE HAVE DIRECT INFLUENCE IN.
THIS INCLUDES:
• the place where we work - (that could be a hospital or a school or workplace) You have direct authority there, you have responsibilities and purpose. Because of this, you have the ability to command angels to operate.
• the country that we are a citizen of - if a major event happens or a major concern is brought up in your spirit, you have the authority to command angels to get involved. In your nation, you have authority.
• the property or things we own - We have authority over those things.
Psalm 91:11 - 13 MSG
He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
3. SHOULD WE CALL ON THE FATHER OR HOLY SPIRIT OR COMMAND ANGELS?
If you are asking the HOLY SPIRIT to protect your car… that’s not in His job description.
James 4:3
3 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
To clarify… this refers to the fact that you are focusing on what needs to happen, and not using the funnel.
Angels affect the OUTSIDE WORLD
The Holy Spirit affects us from the INSIDE OUT.
EXAMPLES OF CONTRARY PRAYERS:
“HOLY SPIRIT, PLEASE PROTECT ME FROM HARM TODAY.”
• He gave you angels to protect you.
“Holy Spirit - bring me the money that I need.”
• He will give you wisdom to gain wealth.
• He will guide you to places…
• He does not AFFECT THE PHYSICAL WORLD
“ANGELS - give me wisdom today!”
• Angels are not working in your spirit.
“Ministering Spirits - work on this person’s heart!”
• They do not work on people. They affect THINGS!
WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING DONE IN THE PHYSICAL REALM
- Command angels.
WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING WITHIN YOU OR WITHIN OTHERS
- Ask the Father.
NEVER PRAY TO AN ANGEL! YOU CAN OFFEND ANGELS AS WELL AND ANY WORSHIP OR PRAYER TO THEM IS GREATLY OFFENSIVE.
4. Can you expound on the book of Mormon and their ideologies about angels -
MORMONISM teaches a form of angel worship and is direct contradiction to scripture.
Paul wrote this to the group in Galatia:
Galatians 1:8
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
NEVER WORSHIP ANGELS.
NEVER ACCEPT A WORD FROM A SPIRIT THAT IS IN ADDITION TO, OR AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD.
5. DO ANGELS GET UPSET? FEEL EMOTION?
Exodus 23:20 - 21
20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
1. Negative words or wrong speaking will offend the angels -
They complained about the long walk through the wilderness: Numbers 11:1 – 3
They complained about Moses’s Ethiopian wife:
As result Mariam was STRUCK with leprosy. Note the word STRUCK. It wasn’t that she came to have… something HIT HER WITH SICKNESS. Numbers 12:1 – 16
They complained about the giants in the land:
Numbers 11:1
1 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
THE FIRE OF THE LORD was the “fiery ones” that God sent. the Angelic forces.
2. Unbelief will offend the angels
Luke 1:13
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
verses 18 - 20
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
3. Sin will offend your angel
John 5:14
14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said unto him, “Behold, thou art made whole. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
4. Not giving God the glory can offend angels
Acts 12:22 - 23
22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.
23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”
Herod wasn’t killed because he killed James or because he arrested Peter. He was struck down by the Lord because “he did not give glory to God.”
What to Do If You Have Offended the Angel of the Lord?
• Confess your sin.
6. If angels protect… why do bad things happen…
1. BECAUSE we make wrong choices.
A shortcut through a dangerous part of a city at night is not a wise choice. Leaving your wallet or purse on the seat of your car is not a wise choice. Seat belts are not placed in automobiles to admire when you take your seat. The barrel of a gun is not a small telescope to look through! Driving drunk can kill you!
Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
DON’T MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON HOW YOU “FEEL” (emotion or flesh based).
MAKE IT BASED ON HOW YOUR SPIRIT AGREES! (walking in the spirit and not fulfilling the lust of the flesh)
2. BECAUSE we suppress THE HOLY SPIRIT!
1 Thessalonians 5:19 - 20 MSG
“Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master.”
Remember - ANGELS ARE ASSIGNED TO YOU - BY GOD!
Their purpose is to protect you, strengthen you, help you, BECAUSE YOU ARE IN GOD’S WILL!
When you STOP LISTENING TO GOD - YOU ALSO STEP AWAY FROM WHAT HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO YOU!
3. BECAUSE we were in the wrong place with the wrong people at the wrong time.
Proverbs 1:10 RSV
10 “If sinners entice you, do not consent”
6. Could there be danger to the general public in thinking lost loved ones turn into angels upon passing? Could this ideology be a threat upon the intended ways of God’s Kingdom?…
Leviticus 19:31
31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
1 - ANCESTRAL WORSHIP - Ancestral worship is demonic.
1 John 5:21
21 “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
2 - OPENS US UP TO FAMILIAR SPIRITS -
When people believe that lost loved ones become angels - they open themselves up to deception. That is an open door to demons in their lives.