Angels Protect Us From Spiritual Danger

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
–Ephesians 6:12

Not only do angels protect us from physical harm, but the Bible also says that God uses angels to protect us from spiritual harm.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that everyone is involved in a life-or-death struggle, but it is not against other people or against our circumstances. We think our biggest struggle in life is against other people. We say, “If only that person would get out of my life.” Or we think our adversity comes from circumstances–“Oh, if only my circumstances had turned out differently.” Ephesians 6:12 says we battle not against flesh and blood, but our battle is against the unseen “spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

There is a cosmic battle going on for your soul right now. I do not begin to understand it, but the Bible says just as angels are real, so are demons. Demons are the tools Satan uses to carry out his evil purpose for our lives. Demons are fallen angels, and like the angels they have tremendous power. And I believe much of what happens to Christians today can only be understood through the oppression of demons. I think Satan uses demons to discourage us, to depress us, to tempt us, and to bring all kind of evil into our lives.

Yet God says He sends His angels to do spiritual battle for us in ways we never see. Where do I find that in the Bible? In Daniel 10:2-14, there is a fascinating story about Daniel praying to God for three weeks, during which Daniel felt no answer to his prayer. Finally, at the end of the third week an angel came to Daniel and said, “I have come to answer your prayer.” The angel explained that he was sent by God the first day of Daniel’s prayer, but he was hindered from coming earlier by a demon. Finally, Michael the archangel had to come and free him so that he could come and answer Daniel’s prayer.

Now I do not begin to understand what all of that means, but this passage of Scripture tells us there is a great cosmic battle going on in the Heavenlies right now. This cosmic battle should terrify us, if it were not for the reality and the presence of angels. The Bible says God uses His angels to protect us not only from physical harm but also from spiritual harm.

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “Touched By An Angel” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2018.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.