Astrology is the belief system that one can discover future events by how the stars and planets move in the sky. It is based on the idea that information on one’s life can be revealed through the heavens. Many people around the world have come to believe in astrology for one reason or another. The most common reason for believing in astrology is to determine things that are unknown such as the future, one’s own personal destiny, characteristics about oneself that are not revealed in other ways. It is important to draw a line in the sand when it comes to astrology. Astrology and Christianity are not compatible with each other. Christians who believe in part or all of Astrology’s teachings must come to realize that the two belief systems are contrary to each other. It’s like believing in two totally contradictory belief systems. I dare say that any Christian Church that allows or encourages astrological teachings is in defiance of the scripture and God’s commandments.
In scripture, God commands that one shall not worship idols or gods other than Himself. When the Israelites defied this law it often caused ruin, war, and exile. Every pagan religion has fallen to the monotheistic religions of the world. By believing in astrology, a person puts hope and worship into the stars instead of God. In this sense, astrologers make the stars, their charts, and books into idols to which they believe fully. If you do not worship the true God you are worshiping something else. It may be money, power, status, or knowledge but it is always a false God. In this regard, it cannot be possible for a man to have two masters and be loyal to both. A man cannot be a believer of the stars and God at the same time. This is why Christians need to condemn astrology as idol worship comparable to the pagan religions of old times.
One may argue that the stars are created by God and they move according to God’s will. Thus, astrology must be God’s revelations to the world. This is false, and scripture will determine this to be true. God reveals His plan to the people through Christ, the prophets, and our modern saints. God works through people in the forms of preaching, charity, and in giving to the less fortunate. No where in scripture does God allow or encourage the use of the stars to understand His revelation. There is no example of a holy man who has prospered by looking at the stars as opposed to prayer. Prayer is more accurate and inspiring than anything the stars could produce.
I will however give an allowance for the End Times. In the End Times there will be powerful displays in the heavens. We do not know what kind of displays these will be whether it is a super nova, a comet, or some other spectacular scene but we will know it when we see it. Another sign is that the moon will turn red like blood and the stars will fall towards the Earth (probably meteorites). Revelations also tells that a mountain will fall into the sea. No one is sure whether that is an asteroid or a powerful earthquake. In these cases, one can look at the stars in good faith but that is not what astrology is about. Even so, astrology dictates things way in advance where is the End Times is supposed to occur unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Astrology is of no assistance in predicting the End Times.
Astrology is not about the End Times but rather it determines future events every day of every week of every month of every year of a person’s life. Even if astrology were to make predictions concerning the End Times it could not be trusted as accurate. This is where the priest hood comes in. When men become priests or pastors they are given power from the Holy Spirit to conduct their ministry. They study the scriptures and develop necessary experience to determine what is right and what is wrong. Astrologers are not priests of the Christian faith. An astrologer cannot be a priest; it is incompatible. It’s not that astrologers are inherently evil, but that the method is incorrect. The method of the astrologer is looking at the stars alone and not putting faith in God’s revelations.
But is astrology effective as read in scripture? In Daniel 1:20 it is said that Daniel is ten times superior in his advice and knowledge to the king then the enchanters and sorcerers. It is assumed that the sorcerers and enchanters are astrologers because that would have been a common tool for them to use at the time. In Daniel 2: 27-28, Daniel was able to interpret the King’s dream after the astrologers had failed. This is because only God can reveal the future, not by any other means.
But is astrology specifically banned in the Bible? Jeremiah 10:2: "Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of Heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them,” or “And beware, lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them" (Deuteronomy 4:19. So, if it wasn’t already banned with the 1st Commandment these verses make it clear that astrology is not compatible with Christianity or Jewish theology.
In fact, Isaiah states that those who believe in astrology or practice it may face a rather rude awakening. “You are wearied with your many counsels; let now the astrologers, those who prophesy by the stars, those who predict by the new moons, stand up and save you from what will come upon you. Behold, they have become like stubble, fire bums them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame... there is none to save you” (Isaiah 47: 13-15).
The main problem with astrology is predestination which is against many teachings of the Bible. The Bible teaches that we should expect our own death or the End Times at any moment. Christ calls the farmer in a parable a fool because he stores up so much grain and ends up dying before he can sell or use it. Christ teaches us to always be ready for God may take you at any time. Astrology gives the benefit of time with long term prophesies.
Astrology also makes slaves out of its followers. Astrology followers dictate their life schedule not on logic or reason but based on what their horoscope tells them to do. Another example is when one is born. I was born in March and so my supposed sign is Aeries. If I were a follower of astrology I would be a slave to the psychological predeterminations of Aeries. This is not the case, as I choose what kind of personality I want. There are some characteristics that match and some that don’t. Even so, if something is not all true then it is not an accurate authority. The psychological profiles are often so vague that anyone and everyone can fit them. Once one is caught in the grip of astrology they begin to behave like their sign not because it’s the truth, but because it is a self fulfilling prophecy. If a prophecy says that you will be a certain way personality wise you will start to act that way. When people start to push away from you because of your arrogance, manipulative behavior, or pride the astrologer follower can blame their sign instead of their own choices.
Astrology removes choice in our lives. People make financial, personal, or relationship decisions based on their signs. Imagine losing all of your savings or ending an engagement based on a sign that isn’t even real. The horoscope does not reveal the future; it makes people a slave to it.
Sometimes, astrology becomes rather dangerous medically for an unborn child. Imagine a mother who gives birth early or late simply to make sure their child lands on a certain sign. We decide our own destiny, not the day we were born. Even when God reveals our path it is totally up to us to take that path or reject it. God gives us choice, astrology does not.
And then obviously, astrology is not scientific in any sense. The stars look different to people at different latitudes. The southern hemisphere is totally different than the northern hemisphere. Those in Alaska, Sweden, Finland, and Greenland have a much different perspective than those at the equator. If astrology was science it wouldn’t matter where you lived, your destiny should be set regardless of where you live. Another problem is that one’s life already starts at conception, not birth. So, if we were truly influenced by the stars it would be at conception not birth. When you are born has no hereditary or genetic consequence. And furthermore the constellations of the Zodiac change over time. Every scientific study of astrology’s predictions have failed, no scientist will ever give it credit for any prediction.
Science matters because God gave use senses to determine the facts of the world. What we observe is what God meant for us to observe. God and true scientific fact will never conflict. If fact goes against God’s revelation it means that the fact is either incorrect or we have misinterpreted God’s revelation. In any case, God and science both agree that astrology fails to produce results.
This is an important problem, because too many people are trapped in astrology. They are never able to make their own decisions and they are worshiping the false idol of their sign. Only ignorant Christians could believe that astrology and Christianity is compatible. It is our job to tell them otherwise and free them from this kind of mental slavery.
