This week’s question comes from a reader in Florida.
Is it okay for Christians to consult horoscopes and/or practice astrology?
Uh. That would be a hard no.
While I don’t personally believe Christians will go to hell for reading their horoscope or practicing astrology, neither do I believe the practice of astrology is a biblical, wise or appropriate thing for a Christian to do.
Here’s why:
First of all:
God’s people are commanded in the Old Testament to stay far away from diviners, witches or soothsayers (Deuteronomy 18:10). The Hebrew word for astrology or astrologer is “diviner” or “conjurer”.
Second:
The Bible commands Christians to learn wisdom and obtain direction from God, His word or from wise people (Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 13:20) rather than from the stars, fortune tellers and astrologers.
Third:
There is a harmful spiritual component to astrology, witchcraft and divination. These activities unknowingly give the devil a foothold in our hearts (Ephesians 5:7, 1st Peter 5:8). This open us up to deception, sin and even Satanic influence.
And finally:
God wants us to seek Him, to know Him and to fear Him. As we grow in our relationship with God He becomes our friend. As we become God’s friend He reveals truth to us (Psalm 25:14). Divination is shortcut to knowing God. It’s a way to gain information about life and the future without knowing the author of life or developing a friendship with Him (James 2:23).
