Should Christians read horoscopes?

Fall Apologetics Culture

TL;DR:

Christians should not read horoscopes or participate in any occult practice. God's people should trust all parts of their lives, including the future, to Him alone.

Horoscopes are predictions or guidance about a person's future, personality, or life based on the position of the stars and planets at a particular time, often connected to their zodiac sign. Horoscopes are part of the occult, which the Bible clearly condemns. The Mosaic Law is straightforward in condemning the occult, with God calling it "detestable" (Deuteronomy 18:9-13). Seeking knowledge of the future through stars and planets, which people do when they consult the horoscope, is a form of idolatry, which God condemns (Deuteronomy 4:19). God has given His people all that is needed to know His will through His word (Psalm 119:105). The New Testament shows that demons are often behind occult arts. Horoscopes purport to tell someone's future, and Paul expelled a demon from a servant girl who was doing the same (Acts 16:16-18). Because of Paul's missionary work in Ephesus, many turned from the occult and to God, destroying any trace of the occult from their lives (Acts 19:11-20). We should do the same. Rather than looking to the stars to tell us what’s ahead, we must look to the God who made the stars and already holds the future in His hands. When you’re tempted to check your horoscope for direction, remember: you don’t need to read the stars when you can trust their Creator.

from the old testament

Consulting a horoscope is an occult practice, which God calls "detestable" and strictly forbade His people to engage in (Deuteronomy 18:9-13).
Horoscopes claim that stars and planets dictate human destiny. But stars, planets, and everything else were created by God (Genesis 1:14-15; Psalm 19:1-2). God warns His people about seeking guidance from creation rather than the Creator: "And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven" (Deuteronomy 4:19).
Our trust should be in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6) whose word is described as a "lamp" and a "light" (Psalm 119:105).

from the new testament

Believers should seek God's wisdom, not guidance from His creation (James 1:5).
Though the New Testament doesn't specifically mention consulting the stars, it condemns occult practices. Paul expelled a demon from a servant girl who foretold the future (Act 16:16-18), showing that evil spirits can be behind attempts to predict the future (as horoscopes purport to do).
Paul's missionary work in Ephesus led some who practiced the occult to repent and publicly burn their sorcery scrolls (Acts 19:11-20). Turning to God means turning away from horoscopes and other occult arts.

implications for today

“What's your sign?” That cheesy pick-up line from the '70s became more of a joke than a serious conversation opener. Horoscopes were harmless fun, after all.

But Satan often disguises himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). He can make something spiritually dangerous look harmless, entertaining, or even surprisingly accurate. And that raises an important question: Why do some horoscopes seem to get us right? Often, their statements are broad enough to apply to many people—things like wanting to be understood, struggling with relationships, or sometimes feeling confident and other times insecure. We naturally notice the statements that fit and overlook the ones that don't. But even when a horoscope seems uncannily accurate, that doesn't make it trustworthy or from God.

Satan uses things like horoscopes to blind “the minds of unbelievers” to the grace and goodness of the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:4). What seems like a harmless habit can slowly train us to look somewhere other than God for guidance, identity, and security.

In His Word, God has given us all the future information we need. We know Jesus will come again and set all things right. We don't need any more detail about the future than that. Our goal shouldn't be to read the stars to figure out what will happen; it should be to trust the God who made the stars and already holds tomorrow in His hands.

understand

Horoscopes are part of the occult, and God has forbidden His people from any participation in such evil practices.
Reading the horoscope to foretell one's destiny shows a distrust in God's plan for the future.
Horoscopes may seem harmless but are actually demonic.

reflect

How do you handle anxiety and doubt about your future?
In what ways, every day, do you show that you trust in God to guide you?
In what areas of your life do you need to trust in God more?

engage

What are some practices that the world views as harmless fun but that are antithetical to Christianity?
What are some common reasons that people read horoscopes, and how can we address those reasons in a loving and biblical way?
How can believers best explain the dangers of "harmless" pastimes like horoscope reading to unbelievers?

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