As a general concept, astrology is a form of divination that claims to read the celestial bodies’ influence on humanity’s daily lives, something that has existed for thousands of years. But what does the Bible have to say about it?
The Bible is strongly against the practice of astrology; its warnings about astrology come from both the Old and New Testaments. In Deuteronomy 18:10, it is written: “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,” which is a clear rejection of the practice of astrology. This same verse is also repeated in the book of Isaiah.
Further, Jeremiah 10:2 says that “Learn not the way of the heathen;” familiarizing oneself with astrology, then, would be disobedient to this command. In addition, Leviticus 19:26 forbids us from consulting with “wizards that peep, and that mutter.”
One of the most compelling reasons why the Bible rejects astrology is that it implies a lack of trust and faith in God—believing that divine guidance can come from celestial bodies instead of the Lord.
Galatians 5:20 describes the practice of astrology as a “works of the flesh,” which Christians are called to avoid. In Acts 19:19, we’re instructed to not “suffer them to live”—those who try to appear like they are divining through astrology. This reiterates that astrology is a sin and a practice that should not be tolerated.
Furthermore, astrology appears to contradict God’s sovereignty. It implies that man is subject to the influence of the stars, rather than being in the hands of the One who created them. It also appears to attribute power to forces besides the Lord.
Astrology as Magick
Some experts also believe that astrology could be an attempt to use magick and the supernatural to manipulate the material world, contradicting what God has set out for us to do. For instance, in many cultures, astrology was used for healing, in order to gain insight into the future, or even to modify the forces of nature.
This is why 1 Corinthians 10:20 says, “Be not partakers of other men’s sins.” This verse makes it clear that we should not partake in any activities that are considered sinful, including exploring astrology.
In addition, in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, it states: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” This verse stands as a reminder that we should use our judgement to discern between good and evil and reject activities that are not in accordance with God’s will, such as astrology.
At the end of the day, the Bible tells us to rely and put our trust in God. Following astrology would be going against his commandments, which isn’t recommended and often comes with unwanted consequences in the long run.
Astrology and Idolatry
An additional sin ascribed to astrology is idolatry, which would explain why God warned us against worshiping the sun, moon, and other heavenly bodies. Astrology appears to rely on worshiping these celestial bodies like gods, which is completely against God’s teachings.
The Lord revealed this through Deuteronomy 4:19, “And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them.” This implies that those who worship star and planets will be cursed.
Moreover, God will only allow us to worship and put our faith in him. To put faith in any other deity would be considered idolatry and would not be acceptable, even if it is for the sake of divination or fortune-telling.
Charity as a Substitute for Astrology
Ultimately, the Bible calls us to recognize God’s control over our lives and to not turn to other means for guidance or direction. Instead, we should live a life devoted to God and be generous and charitable to our fellow human beings
Ephesians 4:28 reminds us to “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
Moreover, 1 John 3:17 says “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” This verse tells us that our role as Christians is to help those in need and direct them to God. The good deeds we do can be seen as a substitute for consulting astrologers.
Astrology and its Unpredictable Outcome
Proponents of astrology will often claim that it can provide insight into certain facets of life, such as financial decisions or major life changes. This, however, fails to take into account the unpredictability of life and its outcomes.
This situation can be found in several verses of the Bible, such as Proverbs 16:33 which says, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” This verse implies that God has the ultimate control over one’s life, and that his decisions cannot be influenced by man or other external factors.
Furthermore, Deuteronomy 29:29 states that “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God.” This implies that some information or predictions, those which could be obtained by consulting an astrologer, are for the Lord only. Unless we receive divine guidance from God, it would be unwise to rely on astrology for direction.
Astrology as a Form of Control
In some cases, astrology has also been used as a form of manipulation and control. In Joshua 24:15, we can read that “choose you this day whom ye will serve.” This verse means that by focusing on the practice of astrology, one finds himself making decisions that are against the will of God.
In addition, Joel 2:19 speaks of avoiding “witchcrafts.” Witchcrafts were often synonymous with astrology, which could be used as a form of control in many cultures. By relying on astrology and its predictions, one puts himself at risk of being influenced by forces outside of the Lord’s control.
Avoiding Temptation to Engage in Astrology
Therefore, the Bible’s warnings against astrology should be taken seriously. We should recognize that our lives are controlled by the Lord and that astrology could cause us to stray from God’s path. It is up to us to resist the temptation to engage in astrology, as it often has negative consequences.
Isaiah 43:9 speaks about “all the idols of the nations” which “are nothing”. This reinforces the idea that we should focus on God, the only true source of guidance and wisdom, rather than seeking the advice of astrologers.
Finally, Exodus 20:3-5 speaks of the “Commandments of God” and reminds us to have faith in Him and not to “bow down” and worship any other entity. This commandment is particularly relevant to those who rely on astrology and pagan rituals for guidance and direction, as it serves as a reminder of our responsibilities as Christians and of the Lord’s ultimate control.
