Examine a horoscope before responding to the first question.A horoscope is described as “a diagram of the relative positions of planets and signs of the zodiac at a specific time (as at one’s birth) for use by astrologers in foretelling events of a person’s life and inferring individual character and personality traits” by Merriam-Webster. Horoscope columns are frequently seen in one’s favorite magazine or local newspaper, despite the fact that horoscopes have historically been associated with astrology and the occult.
What’s the big deal of horoscopes?
A lot of individuals think it’s safe to consult one’s horoscope. It seems as innocent to them as cracking open a fortune cookie from China. Is this accurate, though? What is the Bible’s position on horoscopes?
Trust only the Word of God
In the Old Testament, the Bible is very clear that the people of Israel were not to appeal to or consult the sun, moon, or stars to discern God’s will for their lives (see e.g. Deuteronomy 4:19; 18:10). Instead, they were commanded to trust in God’s Word alone. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?”
In fact, if anyone inside the nation of Israel was found practicing the occult or worshiping other gods, they were to be stoned to death according to the law (Deuteronomy 17:2-5).
Foretelling in the New Testament
The apostle Paul deals directly with a slave girl in the New Testament who possessed a spirit of prophecy that allowed her to predict the future. The Bible says that this made her owners extremely wealthy. “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation,” she said, following Paul and Silas around for several days while making fun of their mission (Acts 16:17). Acts 16:18 describes how Paul became so enraged that he went straight up to the demon inside the girl and gave it the command to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ. The Bible claims that was the exact time the spirit left!
It’s not a gift, it’s a curse
Although the use of horoscopes is not specifically mentioned in this verse, it is clear that fortune telling is in direct opposition to God’s kingdom and purpose. Moreover, the girl’s ability to predict fortunes was a curse rather than a gift. She was not only a slave to her owners, who took advantage of her fortune-telling skills for personal gain, but she was also a spiritual slave to the forces of evil.
The underlying reality behind horoscopes
Be cautious if you are reading horoscopes. Horoscopes, astrology, and the occult have a demonic underbelly. At first, it could appear rather benign, but it will eventually lead you down a route you don’t want to take. You must turn away from and put your faith in Christ if you have engaged in any of these activities in the past or are doing so now. Jesus died on the cross for everyone on the planet, including fortune tellers, witches, astrologers, and young people who enjoy perusing their horoscopes in magazines. He will bring you out of the shadows and into His amazing light if you will put your faith and trust in Him (Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9).
Get rid of occult supplies
Maybe now is the day to throw out your horoscope books and occult items. Acts 19:19 describes just what the citizens of Ephesus did. And other people who had engaged in magic arts practiced gathered their books and set them ablaze in front of everyone. After counting their worth, they discovered that it amounted to 50,000 silver pieces. They came to see that the riches of knowing Jesus Christ outweighed all of these other things.
