Before answering the initial question, first look at what a horoscope is. Merriam-Webster defines a horoscope as “a diagram of the relative positions of planets and signs of the zodiac at a specific time (as at one’s birth) for use by astrologers in inferring individual character and personality traits and in foretelling events of a person’s life.” Although horoscopes are historically linked to astrology and the occult, it is very common to find a horoscope column in one’s local newspaper or favorite magazine.
What’s the big deal of horoscopes?
Many people believe checking one’s horoscope is completely harmless. To them, it is as innocent as opening up a Chinese fortune cookie. But is this true? What does the Bible have to say about horoscopes?
Trust only the Word of God
In the Old Testament, the Bible is very clear that the people of Israel were not to appeal to or consult the sun, moon, or stars to discern God’s will for their lives (see e.g. Deuteronomy 4:19; 18:10). Instead, they were commanded to trust in God’s Word alone. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?”
In fact, if anyone inside the nation of Israel was found practicing the occult or worshiping other gods, they were to be stoned to death according to the law (Deuteronomy 17:2-5).
Foretelling in the New Testament
In the New Testament, we see the apostle Paul deal directly with a slave girl who had a spirit of prediction which enabled her to foretell the future. According to the Scripture, this made her owners very rich. For many days, she followed Paul and Silas around mocking their ministry saying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17). Paul grew so aggravated that he confronted the spirit inside the girl directly and said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her” (Acts 16:18). The Bible says the spirit left at that very moment!
It’s not a gift, it’s a curse
While there is no specific mention of the use of horoscopes in this passage, we see that fortune telling is directly opposed to the kingdom and work of God. Furthermore, the gift of fortune telling was not a gift for the girl, rather it was a curse. Not only was she a slave to her masters who were exploiting her fortune telling for their own profit, she was spiritually enslaved to the powers of darkness.
The underlying reality behind horoscopes
If you are reading horoscopes, please be careful. The underlying reality of horoscopes, astrology, and the occult is demonic. It may seem so innocent at first, but it will lead you down a path you don’t want to go. If you have or are currently involved in any of these things, you need to turn from them and trust in Christ. Jesus died for the whole world: that includes witches, astrologers, fortune tellers, and young people who like to read their horoscopes in magazines. If you will believe and trust in Him, He will take you out of the darkness and bring you into His marvelous light (Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9).
Get rid of occult supplies
Perhaps today you need to get rid of your horoscope books or occult supplies. This is exactly what the people in Ephesus did in Acts 19:19. “And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.” They realized that all of these things were worthless compared to the riches of knowing Jesus Christ.