What Does the Bible Say About Astrology

🔍 Definition of Astrology

Astrology is the belief that the positions and movements of celestial bodies stars, planets, the sun, and the moon influence human behavior, destiny, and natural events. Astrologers claim they can predict someone’s future or personality based on these cosmic arrangements, often referred to as horoscopes or “reading the stars.”

📖 What Does Scripture Say?

Let’s examine Isaiah 47:12–13 (ESV):

“Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror. You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you.”

In this passage, God is rebuking Babylon for trusting in magic, sorcery, and astrology pagan practices deeply rooted in rebellion against God’s sovereignty. Astrologers and stargazers are mocked for their inability to truly predict or prevent divine judgment.

⚖️ Theological Truth: God’s Sovereignty vs. Cosmic Fatalism

Astrology teaches cosmic fatalism the idea that our lives are determined by impersonal stars and planets. But Scripture teaches that God alone determines human destiny, not the stars (Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16).

Job 14:5 (ESV)
“Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass.”

God is omniscient and omnipotent. He has foreordained every moment of our lives not the stars, not the moon, and certainly not planetary positions.

🌦️ Partial Truth: Natural Rhythms and Seasons

There is some truth in recognizing that celestial bodies influence natural seasons such as rain, drought, or plant cycles.

Genesis 1:14 (ESV)
“And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.’”

Here, the sun and moon are created for timekeeping, not fortune-telling. Their purpose is physical and practical helping us understand seasons not spiritual direction or personality insight.

🚫 The Error of Using Stars to Predict Human Life

Astrology suggests that human behavior and fate can be determined or predicted based on the stars. But the Bible emphatically rejects this idea.

Deuteronomy 18:10–12 (ESV):
“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens… For whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”

Astrology falls under forbidden divination a spiritual counterfeit that seeks insight apart from God.

👑 Christ, Not the Cosmos, Reveals Destiny

If astrology could truly reveal destiny, Christ’s coming would be unnecessary. But the gospel teaches that Jesus Christ is the only true revealer of destiny He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Hebrews 1:1–2 (ESV):
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”

You don’t need a horoscope to know your future you need the Word of God.

🌟 What About the Star of Bethlehem?

Matthew 2:1–2 (ESV):
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”

God used a specific star to guide Gentile Magi (likely Persian astronomers or scholars) to Christ not to teach astrology, but to reveal the Messiah. This was a one-time supernatural event just as He once used a pillar of cloud or fire in Exodus. This does not justify reading the stars to find spiritual guidance today.

🧠 Modern Danger: Astrology in the Church

Sadly, astrology has made its way into churches. Some Christians now seek to “understand their stars” or receive “prophetic” readings based on birth charts. This is dangerous and completely unbiblical.

Galatians 4:9–10 (ESV):
“But now that you have come to know God… how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years!”

Paul rebukes believers for returning to astrological thinking trusting times and seasons instead of Christ.

📖 What Should Christians Do?

Reject astrology completely. It is a form of divination and rebellion against God’s authority.
Cling to Scripture. God has revealed everything we need to know about life, character, and eternity in His Word.
Seek Christ, not cosmic signs. True destiny is revealed in Christ, not constellations.