Definition
Horoscope is defined as a diagram of the heavens, representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, astrological aspects and sensitive angles for use in calculating births, foretelling events in a person’s life, etc. The commonly used names for the horoscope in English include natal chart, astrological chart, celestial or sky map, radical-chart, cosmogram, vitasphere, radix, chart wheel or just chart. The word horoscope is derived from the Greek words ōra and scopos meaning “time” and “observer” (horoskopos, pl. horoskopoi, or “marker(s) of the hour”). Horoscope is used as a method of divination.
The Bible and Horoscope
The Bible clearly forbids using horoscope, divination, sorcery, and hidden arts. God’s children should not look to astrology for advice over God. The Creator of all should be the One worshiped and adored (Exodus 20:3). In the Old Testament God instructed:
“There shall not be found among you anyone… who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord…” (Deuteronomy 18:10-14 also 19:31).
“And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them…” (Deuteronomy 4:19).
“If there is found among you… a man or a woman… who has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded… then you shall bring out to your gates…and shall stone to death that man or woman with stones” (Deuteronomy 17:2-5).
“‘And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits… I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people” (Deuteronomy 20:6).
“And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living” (Isaiah 8:19).
“…do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven…” (Jeremiah 10:2 also 27:9-10).
The Lord had warned His chosen people (Isaiah 47:13) that their counselors of the heavenly host will fail but they didn’t heed His warning. And because of their disobedience (2 Kings 17:16; 21:3, 5; 23:4, 5; Jeremiah 44:18, 19; Ezekiel 8:16; Zephaniah 1:5), they reaped the evil consequences of their idolatry (Isaiah 2:6) and were taken into Babylonian captivity and their counselors were destroyed (Micah 5:12).
And in the New Testament, the practice of idolatry and sorcery was also condemned (Galatians 5:20-21; Acts 7:42-43; 1Timothy 4:1; Revelation 21:8). Wisdom should be sought from the Creator alone (James 1:5), who knows the beginning from the end (Revelation 1:1; 22:13). When gentile converts to Christianity learned of the truths of God, they burned their idolatrous books (Acts 19:19). The apostle Paul was faced with a person who practiced divination, so he rebuked the evil spirit and cast it out (Acts 16:16-18). Casting out demonic spirits is a fulfillment to the Master’s promise (Mark 16:17). Jesus wants to free His children from evil bondage (Mark 9:26; Matthew 15:28; Mark 1:31; John 4:53).
Conclusion
The Scriptures teach that God is the source of all salvation, guidance and help (Acts 4:12; Hebrews 12:2). Therefore, Horoscope, divination and astrology, which invite people to place their faith in something other than the Creator of heavens and earth, who alone knows the beginning from the end, should be rejected.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
