Horoscope: Helpful or Harmful?

Opening Remarks:

What sign are you? This is a question that is asked regularly in social settings as a conversation started. But should it be a conversation Christians should partake in? Statistics show that 1 in every 4 Christians participates in Divination; astrology, zodiac signs etc.

Harmful cultures have subtly seeped into the fibre of the Church. One of the most destructive is that of Astrology/ Zodiac signs and Horoscope. Nowadays, Seventh-day Adventists casually say I am a Libra or a Capricorn or a Scorpio when asked about their birthdays. Do we understand what saying these things mean? 

Planets do not control man's destiny; we are all under the Mighty Hand of God. Is God pleased with us quoting our signs? Is it harmful or harmless? 

Astrology is the ancient belief that a person's destiny can be found in the stars and planets' pattern at the time of one's birth. The "horoscope" is the chart that attempts to describe that destiny. 

Ancient civilizations were astounded by the sun, moon and the stars. They ranked the sun and other, heavenly bodies in order of importance and named them after their gods such as Zeus, Titan etcetera.

They studied the sun, moon, and stars' motion and assigned their movements to actions taking place on earth. 

The Greeks later formalized astrology by using mathematics and science about 2000 years ago. 

In ancient Babylonian times, the astrologers, also known as 'Chaldeans', were part of the king's circle of so-called 'wise men' who practised Divination. The actual word for astrology in the Hebrew language means, 'divining the heavens'. Divination is the act of foretelling future events or revealing secret knowledge through signs and omens or other supernatural agency.

Daniel spoke to the efficacy of the diviners in Daniel 2:27: "Daniel answered the king and said, "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked."

 Today we will take a more in-depth look into what the Bible says about it all.

Scripture Reading:

Deuteronomy 18:9-14

"When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses Divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.

For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable things, the Lord your God will drive them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practise witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so.

Jeremiah 29:8-9

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,' declares the Lord.

Prayer:

Ask someone to say a special prayer over the Church to allow us to hold fast to things of God and let go of the subtle things of the devil.

Opening Song:

Welcome:

Special Music:

Main Feature: Interview

(Ask a pastor or an elder to participate in this interview. Please give them the questions before so they can prepare biblical answers to each question.) 

1. How does the Bible define Astrology?
2. Name some instances when God condemned astrology in the Bible?
3. Is God offended when Christians say they are of a particular Zodiac Sign?
4. Should Christians read Horoscopes, or get psychic readings? What is the harm of engaging in these practices?
5. Who writes the daily horoscopes and personality definitions of Zodiac signs.
6. Is it harmful to believe that your zodiac sign defines your personality and attributes?
7. What defines our character traits?
8. How can we find assurance in the future?

Conclusion:

When leaders decide to address a particular topic, it is not to condemn the Church. However, it is to arm us with an understanding of biblical principles so we can do better.

The stars should awaken wonder at God's power, wisdom, and infinitude. We should use the stars to keep track of time and place and remind us of God's faithful, covenant-keeping nature.

 Fishermen use the stars for navigation. Farmers use the moon to determine the best seasons for planting. God referenced the stars to demonstrate to Abraham his seed multiplying. These are acceptable ways to use the heavens.

Our wisdom comes from God, not the stars (James 1:5). The Word of God, the Bible, is our guide through life (Psalm 119:105). God created and arranged the stars into constellations. We should look on them to marvel at the Creator, not worship the creation. The stars, sun and moon do not hold any powers of interpretation.

In the Bible, astrologers were powerless to interpret the king's dream. (Daniel, 2:27). God forbade the children of Isreal from practising Divination in any form. And in their apostasy, they worshipped the stars and felt the effects of their sin (2 Kings 17:16.

In conclusion, remember that The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalms 19.1 Let us look to the skies only to marvel at our Creator.