Sometimes, as a pastor, I’m asked if the Bible has anything to say about some current cultural issues or practice. There are some practices in our society that may seem to be “gray” areas in the Bible when wondering if Christians should involve themselves with them. When it comes to the issue of Astrology (fortune telling, palm reading, consulting psychics, etc), however, the Bible makes it crystal clear that such practices are forbidden for a Christian to engage in. These practices are far from “new” in fact they’ve been around for thousands of years! Check out just a select few of the many references to such wrong practices in Scripture:

The Bible tells us how God viewed the activities of the evil King Manasseh:

2 Kings 21:6 – And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. (ESV)

The Bible warns us not to put our trust in the stars. Whatever or whoever we place our trust in, in reality, becomes what we worship (God or an idol).

Deuteronomy 4:19 – “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. (NIV)

The Bible clearly explains God’s purpose for creating the sun, moon and stars. God’s purpose for creating these has nothing to do with predicting future personal events.

Genesis 1:16-17 – And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, (ESV)

The prophet Isaiah called out astrologers as powerless phonies unable to save anyone from any crisis or event, even themselves.

Isaiah 47:13 – “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. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.” (NIV)

The Bible states in Deuteronomy that divination or consulting with enchanters or witches is an abomination to God. In the Book of Acts (Acts 16:16-18), Paul encountered a girl who had a spirit of divination in her. She was telling people’s future for money until Paul cast out the evil spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.

Although, many Christians feel that it’s acceptable to read one’s future as long as the motive is pure, the Bible clearly prohibits the act regardless if the motivation is for entertainment or real decision making purposes. Ultimately, as followers of Christ, we are to put our trust in Jesus and look to the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us. Jesus promised his followers they would receive the Holy Spirit after his ascension and the Holy Spirit would guide those who put their faith in Jesus:

John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”