Is it wrong to have angel figurines?

Answer

Having an angel figurine or displaying a depiction of an angel in artwork is not inherently wrong. In fact, placing an angel atop a Christmas tree can be a wonderful token of the role angels played in announcing the birth of Christ. Wearing an angel lapel pin could be a reminder of God’s provision and constant care.

Having angel figurines could be wrong in some circumstances. If, for example, a person idolizes the figurines, prays to them, worships them, or considers them “good luck,” then the figurines are being used for ungodly purposes. We pray to God and worship only Him (Psalm 99:5; Luke 4:8). We reject superstition and keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). We rely fully on God alone (Psalm 9:10). Christians must be careful never to allow religious imagery, whether an angel figurine, a picture of Jesus, a cross pendant, etc., to become a snare or distraction.

No figurine, of an angel or anything else, has any supernatural power or influence over our lives. An angel figurine cannot protect us from harm, bring us good luck, or impact us in any way. Such beliefs are mere superstition, which has no place in the life of a Christian. Physical objects do not have magical powers. “Don’t let anyone capture you with . . . high-sounding nonsense that come [s] from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ” (Colossians 2:8–10, NLT).

In addition to all that has been said, we do not know what actual angels look like. Even at their best, angel figurines are only someone’s idea of what angels might look like.