“TODAY MANY PEOPLE WORLDWIDE DABBLE IN VARIOUS
MYSTICAL ARTS, BUT PERHAPS THE MOST POPULAR IS ASTROLOGY. IN America, more than 40 million people seriously believe the STARS really influence life on earth.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the dangers of ASTROLOGY …

… It’s there in your newspaper every day; of course, you don’t really believe in it, but it’s fun to read anyway. That’s the mind-set of over 40 million Americans, not to mention many other millions around the world who daily seek to know their horoscopes. What harm is there to just look at what the stars tell us about our lives, and life on earth? As a result, today more than 2000 newspapers carry a daily horoscope, and now even some cable television stations feature astrologers. To show you how far the reach this ancient craft has gone, many people were shocked to learn in the last century, that President Reagan’s wife, often consulted an astrologer before doing virtually anything. Now is this a harmless pastime? Is it something Christians and non-Christians can participate in without incurring the anger of God? Well after our second musical pause, I’ll tell you specifically what astrology is, and the dangers for all who dabble in it for fun, profit or worship. Stay tuned…

…As we race along in this new millennium, more and more people are apparently imputing a spiritual quality and value to the ancient craft called astrology. These people believe without a doubt, that the conjunction of metaphysics and astrology will give heavenly advice about earthly events that involve them personally. Now what exactly motivates people worldwide and in America to seek the inanimate stars for meaning of life? The only answer can be a longing to know the future, and a longing for some higher force or intelligence to guide them through their perilous journey of life. Indeed, a growing number in this 21^st century will longingly look to the stars, for signs of their future.

Not too long ago, it was reported that 186 distinguished scientists issued a no-nonsense statement brutally attacking astrology. They declared that,

 “the time had come to boldly challenge the pretentious claims of astrological charlatans.”

They went on to say,

“it is simply a mistake to imagine that the forces exerted by stars and planets at the moment of birth can in any way shape our future.”

Yet, in spite of this claim by distinguished authorities of astronomy and science, belief in the power of the stars and planets continues unabated and growing. It is for this reason I wanted to speak to you about it, in the hopes of keeping you and your loved ones from interest and further exploration. Here’s why…

Astrology is a mystical occult art that has been practiced for many long centuries. To define it, astrology is the procedure for studying heavenly bodies with a view toward determining individual and national destinies. This art or “Occult” craft originated in ancient Mesopotamia. Archeology has unearthed the fact that from the time of Sargon of Agade, in the year 2,350 B.C., a list of the stars in what is known as the ZODIAC has been found. Can the alignment of the stars and planets really control our destinies? Although the Bible doesn’t go into great detail about astrology, it surely makes clear God’s position on it. Let me share it with you.

First of all, what the Bible has to say about horoscopes, and astrology, is never positive. Rather, God’s condemnation is clearly upon it. Why you might ask? The answer is, God warns people that practices such as these are a part of the Occult world of demonic influence. They are “windows” into the world of darkness inhabited by Satan and fallen angels, in which one can peer. The Bible says directly to those who are Christians,

Eph 6:11-12 (NIV)  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Here we are told that the “powers of the dark world” about us, managed and fortressed by Satan and His fallen angels called demons, is a reality and force working to capture the minds, hearts and eventually bodies of those who will yield themselves to them. In the Old Testament, God gave specific warnings against opening this “window” to the world of the Occult. We again read,

Deu 18:9-12 (NLT)  “When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. 10 For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you.

Such words cannot be taken lightly, for they tell God’s people of old  that “if” they ever dabble in these Occult practices of the heathen, God’s wrath, anger and hand of discipline would come against them. Why again you ask? The answer is, Astrology is an ancient heathen practice that denies God’s sovereignty, and His power to rule and control the universe. What’s more, it always will bring an unsuspecting individual to future harm and ruin if not in this life certainly the next. Jeremiah the prophet of old said this by God’s divine revelation,

Jer 10:2 (NIV)  This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them.

Jer 27:9-10 (NIV)  So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ 10 They prophesy lies to you that will only serve to remove you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish.

Daniel, another of God’ faithful prophets reveals how even governing officials didn’t make a move without consulting Astrology,

Dan 2:1-4 (NIV)  In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. …

What become a great travesty was the fact that even God’s very own people, Israel, fell away from the worship of God and began seeking divine guidance from “the stars.” Here’s what God said about it through Isaiah,

Isa 47:10-14 (NIV)  You have trusted in your wickedness …  Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. 14 Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame...”

 My friend, these are serious warnings from God, not to get involved in, nor consult the “stars” for anything! God says those who follow these paths are inevitably led to the deeper world of the Occult. Consequently, they will find themselves sucked in and once the door of darkness is closed, there is no way out for them. Yes, Astrology is just another door of the Occult that leads away from God, and into the path of His future wrath and eternal judgment. Paul the apostle said this,

Rom 1:21-25 (NLT)  Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools… 25 Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.

You see, God warns that the harmless interest in knowing the future, via the stars and planets, the “creation” is in His eyes a form of worship. For by doing so, you ascribe to these “created” objects God made, the ability to control your destiny. Astrology makes idol gods out of such planetary bodies! It’s no different than make a golden calf as ancient Israel did at the foot of Mount Sinai long ago (Ex. 32:2-10). Such idolatry incurred God’s wrath and jealousy.

Now in the first century A.D., many people were enslaved by Astrology, but when they became Christians they understood the evil of such worship of the creation rather than the Creator. We read what they did as a result of this discovery,

Acts 19:19 (NLT)  A number of them who had been practicing magic brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars.

These newly converted Christians, who were enlightened by God’s Spirit within them, realized the dangers of their Occult practices which included “Astrology.” They cast it off publicly and rid themselves of all their books and writings, regardless of their earthly value.

Now I realize that the basic argument of the astrologer and those who follow them is that at times it really works! But just because something works, doesn’t make it right, especially if God condemns it. Beside the plain false and deceitful practices of charlatans in the field of astrology, there lies a more sinister reality within it, for it is actually fueled by real live “demons of darkness.” Now there are three major dangers of astrology to consider. These are:

1. ASTROLOGY IS A FALSE SCIENCE – Yes, it is no science at all, rather just a lie. No stars, planets or the moon can give you either accurate or useful information. Living your life by a lie and falsehood is a dangerous thing that can lead to real harm, disappointment and tragedy. Many folks will not leave home, or transact business without consulting their horoscopes to their detriment and harm. Yet to consider your destiny is controlled by the time of your birth in relationship to the stars is utter nonsense. For instance, calculating your birth in relationship to the stars cannot work because one’s astrological sign is no longer valid. You see, Astrology is based on 3,000 year old former star patterns that have today changed dramatically. Therefore the ancient zodiac sign you are supposed to be “under,” is in serious error. A person today is actually born under a different star sign than the Zodiac shows, and each year, the error in dating the zodiac signs, grows greater. Building your life on such error and lies is ever dangerous.

2. ASTROLOGY IS AN OCCULT SYSTEM THAT LEADS PEOPLE TO ACCEPT DEMONIC GUIDANCE OF THEIR LIVES – Yes, it’s true, demons normally “hide” behind the stars and horoscopes; therefore, any guidance or reality one finds by consulting them is fueled by these demons of darkness. Today’s popular “New Age” worship fosters the belief that higher powers, spirit beings and masters exist in the nether world, and want to lovingly guide us. Friend, these spirits are “real” but parade before those who seek them as good, wholesome spirit guides. Their vehicle to guide you is the “stars,” among many others. Yet the Bible says, “watch out,” these spirit guides are not good but desperately evil. Why the Bible tells us, even the devil appears before us deceitfully as a good spirit entity,

2 Cor 11:14 (NIV)  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

These demon spirits when they reveal their true selves show forth their evil malevolent power in what is known as demon obsession and even possession. Scripture says these are wicked spirits, that oppose God and work evil among men in various forms such as; enslaving one in sexual perversions and lusts, fomenting hatred and murder within us, and a host of other sociopathic conditions. Astrology, friend, is but a “window” that can lead its dabblers into it, and become enslaved to such evil. Now thirdly astrology is dangerous because,

3. ASTROLOGY LEADS ONE AWAY FROM GOD – When one begins to believe that planetary bodies control their destinies, they literally “turn off” to seeking the one true ruler of our destiny, our Creator God Himself. Astrology is therefore an anti-Christian system of philosophy and practice virtually condemned by God, for it leads followers away from knowing and seeking Him. Few if any, who get seriously involved in astrology, ever come to Christ, ever are saved, and in the end perish in Hell for all eternity. Any philosophy of life that causes or increases the chances of this is not harmless, but dangerous and deadly. When one turns from the worship of the true God, their minds are darkened and a blindness comes upon them. How dangerous to have God’s grace, mercy and love shielded from you by wicked forces in the heavens.

In fact, just look at the types of people involved in astrology. The many charlatans for one, but more dangerous are the real worshippers of the powers of darkness who are willing to show you your horoscope, read your palm, or tell you the future by their tarot cards and crystal balls. It’s shocking these days how openly they work in our society. Why, even cable channels such as FOX TV, boldly broadcast occult programs, drawing people to live seek to know the future by their horoscopes, and even the consulting the dead.

God’s Word warns everyone to stay far away from these things; first of all, because God commands it and violation will bring His anger and disciplines; but secondly, because much harm in this life and the next will come to you, in time, because of it. Is Astrology dangerous, “you bet,” to your physical, social, emotional, and eternal welfare!

Rather, the better thing to do is not look to the stars for guidance and direction, but look to God Himself. Scripture warns us that seeking the created things of this world for guidance brings nothing but ruin and failure,

Jer 2:13 (NLT)  For my people have done two evil things: They have forsaken me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!

Jesus, the infinite God-man said,

Mat 11:28 (NIV)  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

God Himself through the Wisdom of Solomon in times of old also declared,

Prov 4:11-13 (NLT)  I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. 12 If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won’t limp or stumble as you run. 13 Carry out my instructions; don’t forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life.

We are not to look to the “creation” for signs and guidance. If we do, we will be deceived by spiritual forces in dark places The Bible condemns everyone who does, for God says it is an abomination in His eyes for all to do so. Rather look to God, and specifically we are told to look to Jesus Christ. It is He who created the world and the stars.

Col 1:13-17 (NIV)  For he [God the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son [Jesus Christ] he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Friend, have you sought Him, Jesus Christ? Have you consulted Him for your future and for His keeping in this life? All who do, have the one true God to guide them, and can have confidence He will never leave them or forsake them as other gods and demon powers will do.

May God grant you a deep desire to turn from the paltry things of the creation, to the Creator Himself and bow your heart and life to worshipping and serving Him, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How can we begin this? It’s very simple,

Rom 5:8 (NIV)  “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Acts 16:31 (NIV)  … “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

May God lead and guide you to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the eternal God of light and goodness. In His precious and holy Name I pray, Amen.

Astronomy & the Bible,  by Dr. Donald B. DeYoung, 2^nd edition Baker Books, 2000, (Grand Rapids, MI.)

ASTROLOGY – Do the heavens Rule our Destiny? By John Ankerberg & John Weldon, Harvest House Publishers,  1989 (Eugene, Oregon 97402).

---

---