Can Angels Sin?
Can Angels Sin?
When answering the question, “Can Angels Sin?” the Bible does indeed shed some light upon this subject for us. However, we must also realize that what the Bible does share in regards to this topic is simply bits and pieces that we can put together in order to get an idea about this subject, but I am not sure there is enough information to make us experts on the topic by any means. I believe more information is needed before we could ever claim to have angels completely figured out, and yet more information regarding this topic is simply impossible to attain, due to the fact that the only authority on the matter is the Bible, and it simply doesn’t give us more to go on.
With this being understood, I would like to share a few thoughts on what the Bible (both Old and New Testament) does tell us about this subject matter. Hopefully through this study, we will be able to piece together a sound biblical understanding of what the Bible does reveal to us regarding this question.
Angels Definitely have the Ability to Sin:
The Bible is very clear that angels definitely have the ability to sin. When reading through Ezekiel 28:12-19, the LORD appears to be addressing “the king of Tyre” (Ezek 28:12). However, as we continue reading further in this chapter we quickly realize that it is no earthly king of Tyre that God is addressing, but an angelic being who is the ruler of that area of the world (Tyre), and he is none other than Satan himself. (Please refer to endnote for biblical support on this conclusion)[1]
The Bible tells us that Satan was “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty” (Ezek 28:12b). He was “in Eden, the garden of God” (Ezek 28:13), and was known as "the anointed cherub" (Ezek 28:14), who was "perfect in his ways from the day he was created, till INIQUITY was found in him" (Ezek 28:15), and he "SINNED" (Ezek 28:16). This anointed cherub "became filled with violence within and he SINNED" (Ezek 28:16),[2] and "therefore God cast him as a profane thing out of the mountain of God" (Ezek 28:16).
Jesus says when God cast him out it was like lightning (Lk 10:18), because he, Lucifer, "said in his heart; I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation" (Isa 14:12-16).
The Bible also tells us that when Satan rebelled he drew a third of the angels with him into his rebellion (Rev 12:4-9), and because of this, "God did not spare the angels who SINNED, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment" (2 Peter 2:4).
The father of ALL Sin and Evil:
So this answers the question about angels and sin. Yes, angels can and do sin. In fact, angels were actually the first creatures to sin, and maybe that is why Jesus calls Satan "the father of all lies" and "a murderer from the beginning" (Jn 8:44). The reason that Jesus acknowledges Satan as being the father (or first) of all lies and a murderer from the beginning of time is because Satan was the first creature in all creation to sin, and his army of fallen angels followed right behind him.
The father of ALL Sin and Evil:
So this answers the question about angels and sin. Yes, angels can and do sin. In fact, angels were actually the first creatures to sin, and maybe that is why Jesus calls Satan "the father of all lies" and "a murderer from the beginning" (Jn 8:44). The reason that Jesus acknowledges Satan as being the father (or first) of all lies and a murderer from the beginning of time is because Satan was the first creature in all creation to sin, and his army of fallen angels followed right behind him.
Once Satan was cast down to the earth, he enticed Adam and Eve to sin (Gen 3:1-7), which brought about the death penalty (Gen 2:16-17; 3:19), and caused their sin nature to flow from their bloodline into the bloodline of every human being that has ever lived (Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12).[3]
Angels on the other hand do not have a sin nature, which means that they do not have to contend with fleshly desires. And therefore it would appear that there is no excuse for an angel when they sin, and thus, the consequences of their sin, is irreversible. Could this possibly be why those fallen angels do not get a second chance? [4]
These angels that fell are actually worse than a typical sinner, they are the embodiment of all evil, and a clear picture of what the full power of sin can do to a person’s life. Fallen angels (aka. demons, devils, evil spirits, ghosts) are one hundred percent EVIL to the fullest, the very inventors of sin and evil, without any capability or desire to ever do good. They, along with their leader are slaves to evil, seeking to only kill, steal, and destroy humanity (Jn 10:10), and to make war against God and His kids (Rev 12:12-17).
Examples in the Gospels:
When reading through the Gospels we can see how evil they are by looking at the Legion of demons that possessed the man from the country of the Gadarenes. They succeeded in destroying that poor man's life (Mk 5:1-13), until Jesus came along to deliver him and give him a new start in life (Mk 5:15-20). We are told that there were seven “evil spirits” that Mary Magdalene was healed of when she met Jesus (Lk 8:2). There is also the story of the man who pleaded with Jesus to deliver his son from the demon that possessed him. Apparently that demon repeatedly tried to kill the poor child by continually throwing him into the water in order to drown him, as well as into the fire in order to burn him to death (Mk 9:22).
Examples in the Gospels:
When reading through the Gospels we can see how evil they are by looking at the Legion of demons that possessed the man from the country of the Gadarenes. They succeeded in destroying that poor man's life (Mk 5:1-13), until Jesus came along to deliver him and give him a new start in life (Mk 5:15-20). We are told that there were seven “evil spirits” that Mary Magdalene was healed of when she met Jesus (Lk 8:2). There is also the story of the man who pleaded with Jesus to deliver his son from the demon that possessed him. Apparently that demon repeatedly tried to kill the poor child by continually throwing him into the water in order to drown him, as well as into the fire in order to burn him to death (Mk 9:22).
These are just a few examples of how extremely evil Satan and his fallen angels are. In fact, when we look around the world, and see all of the evil that takes place (Hitler, Stalin, Bin Laden, Abortion, Human Trafficking, etc), we must remember that it is these very angelic beings that act somewhat like the puppet-masters of evil (cf. 1 Jn 5:19). Humanity is still responsible for their sin of course, and each person is accountable to God for any and all sin they commit. However, evil was born because of these angelic beings, and the sin they originally committed in heaven. God expelled them from heaven because of their sin, and that is when Satan declared war on humanity (Rev 12:12). [5]
What about the rest of the angels that didn’t fall? Can they sin?
This is the question at hand, isn’t it? We know that the angels that chose sides with Satan in the heavenly rebellion sinned, and continue sinning even today. But what about the angels who didn’t get caught up in the rebellion? Can they sin? Do they sin? There really is no biblical answer for us on this, other than the fact that the fallen angels from Satan’s rebellion had the opportunity to sin, and chose to do so. [6]
What about the rest of the angels that didn’t fall? Can they sin?
This is the question at hand, isn’t it? We know that the angels that chose sides with Satan in the heavenly rebellion sinned, and continue sinning even today. But what about the angels who didn’t get caught up in the rebellion? Can they sin? Do they sin? There really is no biblical answer for us on this, other than the fact that the fallen angels from Satan’s rebellion had the opportunity to sin, and chose to do so. [6]
So if angels are able to sin, as we have already established, what would keep the angels that are still in heaven from sinning? I don’t have a definite answer for this question, and I would caution anyone who would be bold enough to say that they do, as we are dealing with the Word of God here. Therefore, in my opinion, we can only speculate. However, it wouldn’t be difficult for me to believe that the following scenario could be true.
Angels are without a Sin Nature:
Because the angels in heaven do not have a sin nature, they do not have a fleshly appetite for sin as humans do.[7] I think to some extent angels could quite possibly be likened to Adam and Eve prior to the fall, only stronger and more disciplined in every way of course. Prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were perfect. God did not create them with a sin nature, nor as slaves to sin, as the rest of humanity became once the fall occurred (cf. Rom 6:18). Adam and Eve didn’t even consider disobeying God’s word (Gen 2:16-17), until Satan came along and enticed them to do so (Gen 3:1-7).
Angels are without a Sin Nature:
Because the angels in heaven do not have a sin nature, they do not have a fleshly appetite for sin as humans do.[7] I think to some extent angels could quite possibly be likened to Adam and Eve prior to the fall, only stronger and more disciplined in every way of course. Prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were perfect. God did not create them with a sin nature, nor as slaves to sin, as the rest of humanity became once the fall occurred (cf. Rom 6:18). Adam and Eve didn’t even consider disobeying God’s word (Gen 2:16-17), until Satan came along and enticed them to do so (Gen 3:1-7).
God had created Adam and Eve to live as perfect examples of what God intended humanity to be, but they chose to disobey God (because of Satan’s influence, just as a third of the angels did also), and therefore their conscious decision to disobey God, ruined their original sinless condition (cf. Rom 5:19), and that is when the sin nature became a part of every human’s DNA (cf. Rom 5:12).[8]
I wonder if this is how it was in heaven with the angels who fell? I wonder if they were just enjoying life in heaven with God (1 Cor 2:9), worshipping and serving Him day and night (Rev 5:13), experiencing the enormous pleasure and fullness of joy that comes from being in His presence (Ps 16:11). I wonder if the thought of a heavenly rebellion and all of the evil that the fallen angels have helped influence through the history of the world would have ever even entered their minds prior to Satan’s bold and rebellious attempt to lure them in and take part in a heavenly rebellion against God?
Could this be why Angels Can Sin, BUT don't Sin?
Could it be that angels, like Adam and Eve prior to the fall, are able to live perfectly when Satan (along with his tempting and deceptive ways) is out of the equation? [9] Could it be that even though the opportunity to sin is always present for angels, even at this very moment as you are reading this article, but because the fleshly desires that entice humanity to sin are absent from the angels DNA, they are able to not only resist sin, but actually completely ignore it? In fact I think we should even go a step further than saying they ignore it, and consider the fact that they are completely unaffected by it. Could this possibly be the answer to why Angels “can” sin, but don’t sin?
Could this be why Angels Can Sin, BUT don't Sin?
Could it be that angels, like Adam and Eve prior to the fall, are able to live perfectly when Satan (along with his tempting and deceptive ways) is out of the equation? [9] Could it be that even though the opportunity to sin is always present for angels, even at this very moment as you are reading this article, but because the fleshly desires that entice humanity to sin are absent from the angels DNA, they are able to not only resist sin, but actually completely ignore it? In fact I think we should even go a step further than saying they ignore it, and consider the fact that they are completely unaffected by it. Could this possibly be the answer to why Angels “can” sin, but don’t sin?
Much like no one in their “right mind” would ever think about going to the zoo, and hopping over the fence in order to get into the cage of a hungry lion. This is something that no one would ever consider doing, because the repercussions for it are irreversible. We have the freedom to go down to the Zoo, and once the zoo keepers are not looking, hop over the fence at any moment we choose. But we are unaffected by this choice, because in our right minds we have no desire to experience the repercussion of our actions. In fact, even as I write this out, I will probably even be taking a few steps further back from the lions cage the next time I go to the zoo!
The Future of Christians as an Example:
We can look to ourselves as Christians and see this same scenario one day becoming a reality for us in heaven. Right now as Christians, we still have to battle our sin nature (Gal 5:17), and even though we hate sin, unfortunately we still lose the battle from time to time (1 John 1:10). However, once Christ comes back for us, or we go to Him first, we will be given our spiritual bodies (1 Cor 15:42-50), and will be changed in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor 15:51-52), and will NEVER sin again (1 Cor 15:53-56), “thanks to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:57).
The Future of Christians as an Example:
We can look to ourselves as Christians and see this same scenario one day becoming a reality for us in heaven. Right now as Christians, we still have to battle our sin nature (Gal 5:17), and even though we hate sin, unfortunately we still lose the battle from time to time (1 John 1:10). However, once Christ comes back for us, or we go to Him first, we will be given our spiritual bodies (1 Cor 15:42-50), and will be changed in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor 15:51-52), and will NEVER sin again (1 Cor 15:53-56), “thanks to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:57).
In heaven there is no flesh allowed (1 Cor 15:50), which means there will no longer be a sin nature, because it will be eliminated (1 Cor 15:56), and there will at that time be “no more curse” (Rev 22:3). That is why we will no longer be able to sin against God, and I am sure that is why even though the angels of heaven can sin right now, they don’t sin.
Conclusion:
As I bring this article to a close, I would like to add that it was not my intention to present a dogmatic position on angels and their ability to sin. It was however, my intention to present some clear biblical concepts and truths that we see in Scripture, that will hopefully give clarity to the question that was asked, which was, “Can Angels Sin?”
Conclusion:
As I bring this article to a close, I would like to add that it was not my intention to present a dogmatic position on angels and their ability to sin. It was however, my intention to present some clear biblical concepts and truths that we see in Scripture, that will hopefully give clarity to the question that was asked, which was, “Can Angels Sin?”
Other than that, I think we would be wise to claim Deuteronomy 29:29, which is, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things WHICH ARE REVEALED belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." Meaning, whatever God’s Word clearly reveals to us, belongs to us. Whatever God’s Word doesn’t clearly reveal to us, belongs to God. Maybe He will reveal all of the secret things to us in heaven? That is something I look forward to!
Amen? Amen!
[1] You can read the book of Daniel and see that the Bible recognizes fallen angels as demonic rulers that have dominion over certain areas of the world. Just as Ezekiel alludes to the king of Tyre (Ezek. 28:12) as being Satan aka. “the anointed cherub” who was “in Eden, the garden of God”, and was “cast” out of heaven (Ezek. 28:13-19), we know that the angel Gabriel told Daniel that there was a fallen angel who was known as “the prince of the kingdom of Persia.” Gabriel informs Daniel that the reason it took him twenty-one days to inform him that his prayer would be answered, is because “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” withstood him for twenty-one days until “Michael (the archangel), one of the chief princes (for God), came to help” him (Daniel 10:13). Another example of demonic forces ruling behind the scenes in different earthly locations can be seen in Mark 5:10, where the Legion of demons “beg” Jesus not to “send them out of the country” they were currently in. It could be argued that they had a responsibility to Satan for that area. Could it be that the one speaking to Jesus on behalf of the “many” (Mk. 5:9), was the “prince” of the country of Gadarenes, which is the country that Jesus was at in this story (Mk. 5:1)? This is only speculative but as we have seen there is scriptural support for it (cf. Eph. 6:12).
[3] Our sin nature is an invisible thread, visible only to God (Jer. 17:9-10) that runs throughout the DNA of every human being (Rom. 5:12). That is why it is impossible for humans not to sin (Rom. 3:23), and why it is such a battle for Christians to keep from sinning (Gal. 5:17).
[4] We know that “God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (2 Peter 2:4). Meaning, they received zero mercy from God for what they did, and they have been given zero opportunity for repentance and salvation. It is interesting to note that when we read through the gospels, the demons who interact with Jesus never ask for forgiveness, mercy, nor salvation. Other than challenging Him to see if He was there to destroy them on the spot (Mk. 1:24), or to see if He was going to send them “out into the abyss” until the final judgment (Luke 8:31). But they never show repentance for their rebellion, they never seek forgiveness from Jesus, nor do they ever out of desperation express a desire to be made right with God again. It’s as if they know that they made an irreversible choice in heaven to cross a line that was drawn in the sand, and once crossed there would be no coming back. Who knows, maybe it was a choice for them to follow the Lamb of Glory from that moment on, or to reject Jesus and follow after Lucifer? This is speculative of course, but it is worth pondering.
Furthermore, not only will they not receive a second chance from God, the Bible seems to indicate that Hell didn’t even exist until Satan and his angels rebelled. The reason we know this is because Jesus tells us that Hell was created, or “prepared” for Satan and his fallen angels. When teaching His disciples about the judgment of humanity that is to come at the Second Coming, Jesus said, “Then He (Jesus) will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matthew 25:41). So we see here that Jesus tells us that Hell was created for the devil and his angels, to be a place of punishment for anyone who sins. Hell was not created for fallen humanity, but it is the place that those who reject Jesus will spend eternity in (cf. Revelation 20:10-15; John 5:28-29).
[6] There is a hint of some type of angelic judgment that takes place in eternity, as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:3a, “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” The problem with this verse though is that it is very vague, and Paul doesn’t expand on this statement to tell us which group of angels we will be judging, nor does he tell us what we will be judging angels for. He doesn’t tell us if it is the angels that are currently in heaven, and are called to minister to us (Heb 1:14). Nor does he tell us if it will be the fallen angels that we will be judging with Jesus (2 Peter 2:4). When I say, “judging with Jesus”, I am envisioning more of an “agreement” with Jesus’ judgment on them. Much like a jury in a courtroom comes to a decision about a criminal and the judge agrees with their final verdict. Either way, we cannot and should not assume that when we get to heaven we will be judging the remaining angels for any sin they may or may not have committed, simply for the fact that the Bible has clearly explained to us that God will judge the fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4), and that God the Father has given “all judgment to the Son” (Jn 5:22; Rev 19:11-15), not to us.
[7] Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:50, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God...” which tells us that since there is no “flesh” allowed in heaven, there are no fleshly appetites that are controlled by sin nature in heaven.
[8] Refer to endnote #3
[9] I would like to point out that even when Satan was in heaven prior to the rebellion, two-thirds of the angels were able to continue living perfectly and obediently to God. This shows us that Satan has great power and influence to be able to lure away one-third of the angels, but he is not Omnipotent like God, and every creature has the ability to simply say, “The LORD rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9) as Michael the Archangel did.
