You may have noticed that astrology has become increasingly popular in recent years. Horoscopes, zodiac signs, and birth charts seem harmless on the surface. As a Christian, you likely know that astrology conflicts with biblical principles. However, you may not fully understand the spiritual dangers behind this practice. In this post, we’ll explore why astrology is spiritually dangerous and incompatible with following Jesus Christ.
Introduction
Astrology originated over 3,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. It’s based on the concept that the positioning of stars and planets at the time of one’s birth determines personality, character, and future events. Horoscopes are daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly predictions based on astrological calculations.
Today, astrology is a multi-billion dollar business. Horoscopes are everywhere – social media, websites, magazines, newspapers, and phone apps. They’re written by professional astrologers and often presented as entertainment. However, many people take astrological guidance very seriously in their lives.
As Christians, we must recognize astrology for what it is – a form of divination strictly forbidden in Scripture. Consulting horoscopes is opening yourself up to dangerous demonic deception. The following key takeaways summarize the biblical case against astrology:
Key Takeaways:
- Astrology is a form of divination that the Bible expressly condemns (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
- Horoscopes are not harmless entertainment. Consulting them invites demonic deception (1 Timothy 4:1).
- Astrology usurps God’s rightful authority by falsely claiming to predict the future and give spiritual insight (Isaiah 47:13-15).
- God forbids His people from consulting astrologers because it detracts from trust in His sovereign plan (Isaiah 47:10-11).
- Astrology advocates a pagan worldview of cosmic determinism that denies God’s providence and human accountability (Jeremiah 10:2-3).
- Christians must reject the false gospel of astrology and embrace faith in Christ alone (Acts 16:16-18).
In the rest of this post, we’ll expand on each of these points. We’ll also answer common objections like “astrology is harmless fun” and “the magi who visited Jesus were astrologers.” My goal is to equip you with Scriptural truth so you can renounce astrology and minister to loved ones trapped in this deception.
Astrology is Divination Condemned by Scripture
The practice of astrology involves looking to celestial objects – the sun, moon, planets, and stars – for spiritual insight and predictions about human affairs. Astrologers cast horoscopes, birth charts, and make divine pronouncements about people’s personalities and futures based on the positioning of constellations.
Scripture is clear that astrology falls under the umbrella of divination – seeking hidden knowledge by occultic means. The Bible expressly forbids divination in both the Old and New Testaments:
There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
These verses condemn divination in all its forms: fortune-telling, sorcery, interpreting omens, mediumship, and necromancy. While astrology may seem less severe than overtly occult practices, it’s fundamentally no different than reading tea leaves or Tarot cards. Any attempt to gain hidden spiritual knowledge apart from God is forbidden.
Horoscopes, zodiac profiles, and birth charts claim to reveal your personality, love life, future, and more based on the arrangement of astronomical bodies. This clearly fits the biblical definition of divination.
Some argue that astrology is fine in moderation. Would we say the same about other sins like lust or greed? Scripture doesn’t prohibit divination in extreme cases only. All occult practices are forbidden because they are pathways to demonic deception. As Christians, we must reject astrology completely, not merely in excess.
Horoscopes Invite Demonic Deception
Checking your daily horoscope seems innocuous, but this opens a dangerous door to the demonic realm. The apostle Paul warns:
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. (1 Timothy 4:1)
Demons aim to deceive and destroy (John 8:44). They operate behind the scenes of occult practices to lead people astray. Even if astrological predictions appear to come true occasionally, this does not validate the practice. Deceitful spirits mix truth with lies to hook people deeper into deception.
Scripture is clear that all forms of divination, including astrology, have their origin in demonic spirits – not divine revelation. Consulting your horoscope grants these spirits a foothold in your life, allowing them to influence your thoughts and actions subconsciously. Before long, you may find yourself making life decisions based on zodiac guidance rather than seeking God’s will.
Astrology often leads to obsession over one’s birth chart, zodiac personality, and optimized days. It fosters a self-centered quest for self-knowledge and fulfillment apart from submitting one’s life to Christ’s Lordship. The more you consult astrological resources for insight, the more you open yourself up to demonic influence.
Don’t be fooled – horoscopes seem innocent but give legal ground to the demonic realm. The only sure protection is rejecting astrology completely and relying solely on the Holy Spirit for divine wisdom and guidance (John 16:13, James 1:5).
Astrology Usurps God’s Authority
By claiming to predict the future and give spiritual insight, astrology grossly usurps God’s exclusive authority. The Lord declares in Isaiah:
Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. (Isaiah 47:13-14)
God condemns Babylonian astrologers who arrogantly thought they could predict the future better than the Lord Himself. Astrology attempts to usurp God’s sovereignty over time and human affairs. Practitioners deny God’s declared purpose to keep the future hidden except when He chooses to reveal specifics through prophecy (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Those who consult their zodiac horoscope effectively place the created order (planets and stars) above the Creator. They look to bits of creation for spiritual insight rather than seeking the Holy Spirit’s illumination. This is rank idolatry – exchanging the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25).
Only the infinite, all-wise God has the prerogative to declare what will happen in the future or reveal the secrets of men’s hearts. Astrology falsely claims these divine attributes based on human calculations and observations. This is spiritual arrogance of the highest order.
As Christians, we must allow God to have His rightful place on the throne of our lives. That means rejecting astrology’s false claims to knowledge about the future or human personality. God’s Word is our sole source of spiritual insight – not the arrangement of galaxies and constellations at the time of our birth.
Astrology Distracts from Trust in God’s Sovereign Plan
Not only does astrology usurp God’s authority – it also distracts people from trusting in the Lord’s wise and sovereign plan for their lives. God condemns Israel’s faithlessness in seeking guidance from astrologers:
You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. (Isaiah 47:13-14)
Rather than seeking the Lord in prayer and trusting His guidance, Israel turned to astrologers and stargazers who falsely promised knowledge of the coming days. This diversion tactic is key to astrology’s seduction – it directs attention away from faith in God’s personalized leading through His indwelling Holy Spirit.
Astrological guidance is standardized and impersonal. The stars purportedly mean the same things for everyone born under a given zodiac sign. In contrast, God promises intimate care and specific guidance for each of His children (Psalm 139:1-3). His sovereign plan is unique to each believer as He conforms us to Christ’s image (Romans 8:28-29).
If you regularly consult astrological resources, you’ll be tempted to make life decisions based on impersonal horoscopes rather than seeking God’s particular will for your life. Your spiritual ears will grow deaf to the Holy Spirit’s subtle promptings as your eyes remain fixed on the false guidance of the zodiac. Like wayward Israel, you’ll end up weary and lost.
The lure of astrology is that it promises to satisfy our human desire for knowledge, certainty, and control over life’s uncertainties. But this is an illusion. True peace and purpose come through prayerfully walking with the Shepherd of our souls each day, trusting His wise plan above all else (Psalm 23:1-3).
Astrology Promotes Pagan Cosmic Determinism
Underlying astrology is a pagan worldview of cosmic determinism that denies God’s providence and human accountability. This contradicts Scripture’s teaching that the personal Creator precisely governs the universe and human lives:
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17)
Astrology says celestial bodies fatefully impact lives based on birth timing. The Bible declares the living God actively sustains all creation moment-by-moment for His sovereign purpose (Hebrews 1:3).
Astrology portrays humans as helpless pawns of planetary forces. The Bible teaches that humans are moral agents accountable to God’s moral law (Jeremiah 31:29-30).
The pagan worldview underlying astrology is directly opposed to a biblical worldview. One must be false. Embracing astrology will distort your ability to see reality accurately through the lens of Scripture. Of astrologers, God says:
Let not those who practice astrology and read omens deride you, for you are God’s people. Heed my warning and never consult an astrologer or follow their advice. For their superstitions are empty nonsense based on the deceitful scheme of human imagination. (Jeremiah 10:2-3)
Indeed, astrology is based on fanciful speculation, not divine revelation. It imputes power to planets and stars that rightly belongs to the Creator alone. Christians must reject this pagan cosmic determinism and its denial of moral accountability.
Renounce Astrology and Embrace Faith in Christ Alone
The book of Acts records the Apostle Paul encountering a fortune-telling slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. Her masters profitably exploited this demonic power until Paul cast it out in Christ’s name:
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days.
But Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. (Acts 16:16-18)
Like this slave girl, millions today are trapped in deception – unwittingly being exploited by the demonic realm. Dabbling in astrology may seem harmless at first but slowly puts one’s mind under occult influence.
Friend, don’t be led astray by this empty philosophy. As a child of light, you have the Holy Spirit living within, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). His light exposes astrology’s darkness and guides you into God’s liberating truth that sets captives free (John 8:31-32).
Repent and ask the Lord to strengthen your discernment regarding spiritual deception. Fill your mind and heart with Scripture that renews your mind in Christ (Romans 12:2). Join a Bible-believing church to find encouragers who will help you stand firm in true freedom.
Jesus Christ is the only true source of spiritual insight and future hope. He lovingly died to free you from bondage and give you an abundant life in God’s presence. No astrologer can ever do that. Determine today to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). His grace will empower you to overcome deception and walk in the light.
Answering Objections
Let’s address some common arguments in defense of astrology that seem reasonable at first glance:
Objection: “Astrology is harmless fun and entertainment. What’s the harm in reading my daily horoscope?”
Answer: Scripture is clear that all astrological divination is dangerous, not merely an extreme. Consulting horoscopes grants the demonic realm influence in one’s life. Over time it distorts one’s worldview and erodes discernment of truth. Even if predictions appear harmless at first, this practise opens the door to increasing deception.
Objection: “But astrological readings can be accurate sometimes. Doesn’t this show that astrologers truly have some supernatural insight?”
Answer: Occasional fulfilled predictions do not validate astrology as spiritually legitimate. Deceitful spirits can mix enough truth into deception to hook people. No amount of “accurate” readings can overturn Scripture’s clear condemnation of astrological divination.
Objection: “Weren’t the magi who visited the baby Jesus astrologers who followed the star to Bethlehem? Surely they weren’t condemned.”
Answer: The magi likely practiced various occult arts common in their culture, but their motivation was to worship the prophesied Messiah – not continue in idolatry. Upon finding Jesus, they did not consult the star further but obeyed God’s warning to avoid returning to Herod. Their example speaks to the power of divine grace to save occultists – not endorse astrology itself.
Objection: “The planets and stars guide our lives whether we consult them or not. What’s wrong with me understanding my own astrological makeup better?”
Answer: This argument assumes the pagan worldview undergirding astrology that denies God’s personal sovereignty over creation. Scripture is clear that astrological determinism is false – the living God actively sustains the universe and guides His children’s lives directly. We find our identity in Christ, not the zodiac.
Conclusion
Dear friend, I urge you to reject astrology’s false gospel. Don’t allow this demonic deception to keep you from embracing God’s amazing grace, providence, and guidance available in Christ. Destroy any astrological books, apps, or articles in your life. Fill your mind and heart with biblical truth and see the spiritual veil lift by God’s illuminating Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:14-18).
Walk by faith in your Shepherd’s loving care for your life today and hope in His sovereign plan for your eternal future (Jeremiah 29:11). This path of righteousness and truth leads to abundant life now and forevermore! May His grace empower you to overcome deception so you can minister Christ’s freedom to others.
