Horoscopes and other practices that predict the future are often cautioned against in the Bible. It encourages faith in God’s plan rather than relying on signs or symbols. Discover why these teachings urge us to trust God instead of looking to astrology.
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What Does The Bible Say About Horoscopes
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“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.”
This verse clearly prohibits the practice of divination, astrology, and other forms of seeking guidance outside of God. It emphasizes that these practices are detestable to the Lord and should be avoided by believers.
Jeremiah 10:2
“Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.”
This verse warns against following the practices of pagan nations, including the observation of signs in the heavens. It advises believers not to fear or be influenced by these astrological signs, as they are not to be trusted or revered.
Isaiah 47:13-14
“All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame.”
This passage mocks the futility and ineffectiveness of astrologers and stargazers. It emphasizes that relying on astrology or horoscopes for guidance is futile and powerless to truly save or protect individuals.
Leviticus 19:26
“Do not practice divination or seek omens.”
In this straightforward command, divination and seeking omens are explicitly prohibited. Believers are instructed not to engage in these practices, including the use of horoscopes, as they are contrary to God’s will.
Isaiah 8:19-20
“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? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”
This verse encourages people to seek God’s guidance and instructions rather than turning to mediums, spiritists, or the dead for answers. God’s Word, not horoscopes, should be the source of light and guidance in our lives.
Galatians 5:20-21
“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse includes witchcraft and idolatry in a list of sinful behaviors that are contrary to God’s Kingdom. Practicing or relying on astrology and horoscopes falls under the category of witchcraft, and believers are warned against such practices.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
In this verse, believers are encouraged to submit to God and resist the devil. Relying on horoscopes or any form of divination is submitting to worldly practices and influences, rather than submitting to God’s authority.
2 Kings 17:16-17
“They forsook all the commands of the LORD their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.”
This passage describes the disobedient actions of the Israelites who turned to divination, worshiped idols, and sought omens. It is a warning against engaging in similar practices, as they provoke God’s anger.
Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
This verse encourages believers to be vigilant, not allowing themselves to be swayed by deceptive philosophies or human traditions rooted in worldly spiritual forces. Astrology and horoscopes fall into this category of beliefs that deviate from reliance on Christ.
Acts 13:6-11
“They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?’”
In this passage, a sorcerer, Elymas, tries to hinder the proconsul from accepting the faith. The confrontation serves as a reminder of the deceptive nature of such practices, and the Apostle Paul rebukes Elymas for his manipulation and distortion of the truth.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.”
This verse warns believers that deceitful spirits and demonic teachings will lead some astray. Astrology and reliance on horoscopes can be seen as teachings influenced by deceitful spirits, diverting believers from the true faith.
Isaiah 44:24-25
“This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself, who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense.”
God’s power as the Creator and Lord is emphasized in this verse. It reassures believers that God is the one who foils the signs of false prophets and renders diviners and astrology as meaningless and foolish.
Leviticus 20:6
“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.”
This verse declares God’s opposition to those who turn to mediums and spiritists for guidance. He warns that those who engage in such practices will face severe consequences, getting cut off from their people.
2 Chronicles 33:6
“He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.”
King Manasseh’s actions, engaging in divination, witchcraft, and consulting mediums, are depicted as evil in the eyes of the Lord. Believers are cautioned not to follow the path of such practices in order to avoid arousing God’s anger.
Isaiah 19:3
“The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists.”
This verse refers to the futile nature of consulting idols, spirits of the dead, mediums, and spiritists. It proclaims that God will render their plans meaningless, highlighting the emptiness of relying on such practices.
1 Corinthians 10:20-21
“No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.”
This verse emphasizes the incompatibility between worshiping God and participating in pagan practices. Astrology and horoscopes are considered offerings to demons rather than to God, and believers are urged not to be involved with such practices.
Isaiah 47:9
“Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells.”
This verse describes the consequences that await those who rely on sorcery and spells. It shows that even though people may practice various forms of divination, they cannot escape the judgment and adversity that the Lord allows to come upon them.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment, the spirit left her.”
This passage recounts the encounter between Paul and a fortune-telling slave. Although she was, in a sense, telling the truth about Paul and his companions, her fortune-telling was driven by an evil spirit. This demonstrates that even when divination appears to align with truth, it is still not to be trusted or practiced.
2 Chronicles 33:5
“He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, ‘My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.’ In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts.”
King Manasseh’s act of building altars to the starry hosts, such as the sun, moon, and stars, within the temple was a direct violation of God’s commands. It serves as a warning against the worship of celestial bodies and the reliance on astrology.
Daniel 2:27-28
“Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these.’”
In this passage, Daniel acknowledges the limitations of wise men, enchanters, magicians, and diviners in interpreting dreams and visions. Instead, he points to the true source of revelation and understanding—God in heaven. Believers are encouraged to seek God for understanding rather than relying on earthly divination.
Numbers 23:23
“There is no divination against Jacob, no evil omens against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘See what God has done!’”
This verse celebrates the favor and protection of God over Jacob and Israel. It declares that no form of divination or evil omens can affect God’s chosen people. Believers can find assurance that God’s plans and blessings for them are not influenced by astrology or horoscopes.
Isaiah 2:6
“You, LORD, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs.”
This verse mourns the spiritual decline of the people of Israel, who had begun to adopt superstitions from neighboring nations, such as the practice of divination. It serves as a cautionary reminder for believers to resist the influence of pagan customs and instead remain faithful to God’s commands.
Psalm 118:8
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.”
This verse reminds believers of the importance of placing their trust in the Lord rather than relying on human wisdom or guidance, including astrology and horoscopes. God is the ultimate refuge and source of true guidance in our lives.
While the Bible contains various verses addressing divination, astrology, and practices related to horoscopes, the overarching message is clear: believers are to put their trust in God alone and rely on His guidance through His Word and His Spirit. These passages warn against the deceptive nature and futility of turning to astrological practices for answers or guidance, as they divert our attention and devotion away from the Lord. Instead, the Bible consistently encourages followers of Christ to seek Him wholeheartedly, trusting that He is the source of all wisdom, comfort, and direction in our lives. As believers, our focus should be on aligning ourselves with God’s will and submitting to His plans and purposes, rather than seeking guidance from worldly practices that lack the power and truth of God’s Word.