If you look through the Bible, certain numbers play an important role. God frequently uses the number seven, the number 40, and several other numbers to represent something important. So at first glance, one would think that the idea of angel numbers—angels or spiritual beings communicating to humans via numbers and patterns—would seem plausible, a good thing.
Far from it. Angel numbers are a New Age practice that Christians should avoid. Why? We’ll dive into all the reasons below why we should avoid this practice.
What Are Angel Numbers?
First and foremost, we must identify what angel numbers are before we can discuss why we should avoid them.
Angel numbers tend to be a series of repeating numbers, such as 111, 222, 333, 444, and so on. You may have heard someone jokingly say, “It’s 11:11, make a wish.” Since 1111 would be a repeating digit, people treat it as special.
In numerology, repeating numbers tend to be in sequences of three or four. So an “angel number” would be 111 or 1111.
People who believe in angel numbers believe that if you see these types of numbers everywhere, an angel or spirit guide is supposedly trying to help or bless you.
Not only do some people believe this. They also believe that each angel number has a specific meaning. We won’t get into all of them below, but we’ll explain what they think a few of these numbers symbolize.
111. According to WellandGood.com, in numerology, one represents oneness and new beginnings. Supposedly, if someone sees an angel number featuring a one (like 111 or 1111), they have to focus on new potential beginnings.
222. Numerologists tend to identify two as representing two people coming together. Therefore, 222 tends to point the mind toward relationships or being in the moment.
666. Yep, the devil isn’t even disguising this one in this New Age practice. The site above claims that 666 is actually a good number representing “love at its deepest level.”
Messed up, right? If you’re feeling uneasy in your gut right now, you’re feeling quite a bit of discernment regarding angel numbers. So let’s talk about why angel numbers are not biblical.
Why Are Angel Numbers Bad and Unbiblical?
We can point to many reasons we should steer clear of angel numbers, but let’s hone a few from a biblical perspective.
They employ the use of spirit guides or angel guides. Many people who have experimented with the occult and later converted to Christianity have concluded that the angel guides or spirit guides they experienced were demons in disguise. Demons can disguise themselves in many ways, as their leader is Satan, and he is known to do the same thing (2 Corinthians 11:14). As this 2 Corinthians passage reminds us, the devil can masquerade as an angel of light and goodness. Why could his underlings not do the same?
They are a type of fortune-telling. You’ll see one common pattern if you scan the list of numbers and meanings on that angel numbers site. They all talk about what will happen in the future, on what you need to focus on and anticipate. The Bible is very clear in its stance against fortune-telling and consulting with mediums and witches (Exodus 22:18). The future belongs to the Lord, and we often do not know what is in the future for our own good. Yes, sometimes the Lord gives Christians the gift of prophecy, but this is by the Holy Spirit. Any type of fortune-telling or divination comes from the power of Satan. We are to steer clear of anything having to do with that.
They force you to rely on communication outside of the Bible and prayer. God does speak to us in a variety of ways. Many people in countries that don’t have easy access to Bibles (such as remote parts of South America or the Middle East) have spoken about Jesus appearing to them in visions and dreams. Some have heard an audible voice from God. Some have received a prophetic word from a Christian filled with the Holy Spirit.
Even when angels communicate with humans in the Bible, they provide a specific message from the Lord. We witness this with the angel who spoke with Daniel and with Gabriel, who spoke with Mary.
The use of angel numbers relies on so-called angels to “communicate” with humans via a series of numbers. This doesn’t fit the biblical narrative of how God communicates. Anytime God communicates, it is confirmed or backed up by Scripture. Nowhere in Scripture does it say, “If an angel sends you the number 111, you need to think about oneness and beginnings.” We must steer clear of any advice not backed by Scripture.
What Does the Bible Say about Numerology?
So if angel numbers are nonsense at best and dangerous at worst, how do we account for the fact that God often uses number symbolism in the Bible? If numbers such as three, six, seven, 40, and so on are important, what separates God’s numbers and angel numbers?
The difference lies within a heresy that arose in the first century, known as Gnosticism. The Gnostics believed in secret knowledge, conspiracies, and achieving certain states of enlightenment to truly understand God and his plan for humans.
Where does this sound familiar? Let’s kick it back to Genesis 3. In Genesis 3, Eve and Adam wanted to be like God. They wanted secret knowledge that was not available to them. It was pride, and it led to their downfall.
Although God sometimes uses numbers to symbolize things in Scripture, we’re never encouraged to obsess over them or see numbers everywhere. Satan has used numerology—the study of numbers and patterns—to draw our attention away from God.
Angel numbers can also be seen as a method of idolizing. We idolize the creation rather than the Creator.
How Should Christians Respond to Angel Numbers?
Since New Age practices have a way of sneaking their way into church circles, here are a few ways we can respond to the practice of angel numbers.
Recognize hints of it. Even if someone says, “11:11 make a wish,” jokingly, know there are roots in angel numbers. Satan has a way of sneaking into the church in little ways. At first, we’ll say things like this ironically, and then, slowly, they’ll weave their way into our lives in the place of truth.
Recognize but don’t idolize important numbers in the Bible. God does love his numbers. We can appreciate clear instances in the Bible where God uses numbers such as 3, 7, and so on to make a symbolic point. However, we cannot elevate them above our Creator nor read too far into the text to believe that every number is trying to convey a secret meaning.
Recognize its roots. Angel numbers are rooted in pride. People who see “secret messages” want to believe they’re achieving enlightenment levels that others haven’t reached. That is not the Gospel. Yes, certain concepts, such as the Trinity and the Incarnation, can be hard to comprehend. However, even in those instances, God makes his Great Commission and love for us clear. He will not communicate via cryptic messages to somehow make you a better Christian than others.
Ultimately, angel numbers, like most New Age practices, can disguise themselves as angels of light, as good things. Many of us would like to believe that we’re receiving “a hug from an angel,” as some New Age sites put it, when we spot patterns in numbers.
Brothers and sisters, be wary of practices like this. Satan loves to give us counterfeits, so we miss out on the one truly good thing: Christ and salvation.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Helin Loik-Tomson
Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to find out about hiring her for your next book project.
