What Does the Bible Say About Astrology?

What-Does-the-Bible-Say-About-Astrology

The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines Astrology as the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects.

This means that, somehow, the stars are supposedly “saying something” about us, and Astrology is the medium through which that knowledge is acquired. From ancient times, before Christ, many practiced the study of the stars for hidden meanings and explanations. If you have ever heard names like Pleiades (the Seven Stars), and Orion the Bear (Ursa Major), these refer to constellations of stars meant to convey messages to star-readers or astrologers.

Zodiac Signs and Christianity

What are zodiac signs? What relationship do they have with Christianity or with Christians? Should Christians practice, seek after or believe in zodiac?

These are some of the questions that many Christians haven’t found answers to, and so are victims of the ungodliness that is in this seemingly harmless practice.

You must have heard of terms such as Aquarius, Cancer, Capricorn, Leo, Virgo, etc. According to Astrology, these are zodiac or star signs. Supposedly, the sign you are born under has influence over the kind of destiny you will have. It replaces the will of God with the “signs of the stars,” thereby taking your eyes off God.

It is sad to say, but many sincere believers of Jesus embrace this lie as well, but it is a false belief system. It is flawed and the word of God outrightly declares God’s stance against it, which also should be our stance as well (All citations are from the NIV unless otherwise noted)

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”Deut. 18:10-12

If there is anything God has said about the life of His children, it is in His word, written down for us to follow already.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”Ps. 119:105

Does the Bible Mention Astrology?

Although the Bible does not specifically mention the word “Astrology,” it does make numerous references to the practice of stargazing, fortune-telling, palm-reading, and related practices.

We can find references in scripture like Deut. 18:10-12 (cited above) where it is forbidden to consult with them, and Job 38:32, where God made reference to the “Mazzaroth” (translated as constellations) as being under His influence. A product of His creation and power.

“Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?”Job 38:32

What Does The Bible Say About Zodiac Signs?

The Bible does not specifically mention the zodiac signs, although most people believe that the “signs” correlate with the plan of God as revealed in scripture. For example, Leo, is a reference to the revelation of Christ as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

However, the original purpose of the creation of the stars by God is in no way concerned with influencing the destiny of men, especially of saints. Therefore, the practice of star signs in Christianity by Christians would be a contradiction of this.

“And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years,”Gen. 1:14:

When the stars, sun, and moon were created, their purpose was set forth: to give light, to mark times and years, and to be signs.

“Signs” here does not refer to the zodiac but to natural navigators for men to use in charting their courses and navigate their way, e.g. sailors.

Many people may cite the wise men who visited Jesus as astrologers. However, that would not be true because God would be contradicting Himself, to lead with the very same thing He condemns.

The truth, though, is that, these men were students of the stars, astronomers, as we call them. This legitimate and healthy science focuses on discovering and learning more about the creation of God. Astronomy is healthy because it will lead men to the wonder of God’s creation and the praise of His name.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,”Psalms 8:3
“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”Isaiah 40:26

Astrology, on the other hand, contradicts God and falls under the same category as sorcery, witchcraft, idolatry, necromancy, horoscopes, and the likes. Moreover, God judges them, warning His people to stay away from them.

Examples of Astrology in the Bible

Here are some Biblical examples of Astrology in the Bible:

“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance”1Chronicles 10:13
“For these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.”Deuteronomy 18:14
“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
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”Isaiah 8:19

Is Astrology a Mortal Sin in the Bible?

By now we know from scriptures that astrology is a sin, and the consequence of sin is weakening of our relationship with God, leading to separation from God, and if not repented from before death, leading on to eternal separation from God and damnation forever.

What was God’s punishment on such, and those who patronized them? Death, and being cut off from His inheritance among His people

“I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people. ‘”A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.’””Leviticus 20:6 & 27

Whoever practices or goes to consult practitioners of astrology sins against God.

However, the individual that practices or consults with astrology or the likes can find forgiveness if they genuinely turn from their ungodly ways, and instead seek for the wisdom of God. For there is no sin that the Blood of Jesus can’t wash away.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1John 1:9

Zodiac Signs as Bible Characters

There are some absurd ideologies propagated by the astrological school of thought that Astrology has its root in scripture and it therefore Godly. However, this is not true because God, all through scriptures vehemently warns against “looking to” the stars for answers, directions, or purposes, which only He can give.

Find below some of the Zodiac signs that believers of astrology attribute or associate with biblical characters:

Virgo the Virgin (Character: Mary)

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord”Isaiah 11:1-2

Libra, the figure of justice (Character: Jesus)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 6:23

Scorpio, the Scorpion (Character: the serpent, satan)

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspringand hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”Genesis 3:15

Sagittarius, the Centaur Archer

“But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down.”Psalm 64:7

Capricornus, the Sea-Goat (Character: the scapegoat)

“Aaron then brought the offering that was for the people. He took the goat for the people’s sin offering and slaughtered it and offered it for a sin offering as he did with the first one.”Leviticus 9:15

Aquarius, the Water Bearer (Character: Jesus/The Holy Spirit)

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”Isaiah 44:3

Pisces, two fish (Character: The Church and the evil of the world)

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”Matthew 4:19

Aries, the Ram (Character: the Lamb of God, Jesus)

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”Revelation 19:7

Taurus, the Bull (Character: The Feast of Tabernacles with 70 Bulls or the Age of Tabernacles, in which Christ rules for 1000 years)

“He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns midnight into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land— the Lord is his name.”Amos 5:8

Gemini, the Twins (Character: Christ and the Church in Marriage)

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.”Ephesians 5:31-32

Cancer, the Crab

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”Psalm 91:1

Leo, the Lion (Character: Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah)

“You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongsshall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.”Genesis 49:9-10

One may look at this list and because you see Bible references on them want to give it a believing chance; however, you see, that is the deception. If you do read each of those references and then read about each of those zodiacs on their own, you will find that they have no connection. The Word of God does not connect any Biblical character with any constellation or activities that should make people seek them.

When one does not open his or her heart to the truth of the undiluted word of God, such heresies, or apostasies will prevail over you.

I know there is a desire to understand what the future holds and how we are to act in the days to come. I know we as people do not like being in the dark about issues. We like to know why. We like to know what to expect. We like to know that we have some control and are not just flowing with the outcome happening in our lives.

However, we cannot know it all. The knowledge of the future belongs to God. He can chose to show it to whomever He wills, whenever and however He wills.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”Deuteronomy 29:29

And Hebrews 10:38 reminds us that God’s people are people who live by faith. We let God lead while we follow. We have rest in God, not because we know what the future holds but because we know and trust the One who holds the future, and we are sure that His plans for us are good.

We, therefore, will not become prey of the idolatry, which is Astrology.

Joseph

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.