Biblical Response to Using Astrology for Life Decisions
The Bible consistently discourages and forbids the practice of astrology for making life decisions, viewing it as a form of divination that usurps God's sovereignty [4, 5]. Astrology involves attempting to predict future events or discern secret matters by observing the appearance of stars and other celestial bodies [4]. This practice was prevalent among the Chaldeans, but it was explicitly prohibited for the Israelites in the Old Testament [4].
Deuteronomy 4:19 and 18:10, for instance, forbid the worship of celestial bodies and the practice of divination, which includes consulting astrologers [4]. The prophet Isaiah also condemns those who rely on stargazers and astrologers, challenging them to save themselves from impending judgment (Isaiah 47:13) [4]. Such practices are considered "vain" and deceptive, akin to the "jugglery" of impostors who claim to know the future [11].
Instead of relying on astrological predictions, biblical teaching emphasizes making decisions based on God's will and wisdom. Deuteronomy 30:19 presents a clear choice: "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants" [1]. This choice is not contingent on stellar arrangements but on obedience to God [10]. The concept of "decision" in a biblical context is often linked to seeking God wholeheartedly, keeping His commandments, and serving Him fully [2].
While some ancient Jewish traditions, such as that of Abraham Ibn Ezra, acknowledged a belief that certain aspects of life like longevity, children, and prosperity might be influenced by stars, this was often framed within the context of God's ultimate decree [8]. However, this perspective is distinct from actively consulting astrological charts to guide personal choices. The general biblical stance is that God appoints and dispenses all afflictions and blessings, regulating their measure and determining their continuance [6].
The Bible teaches that human actions are not regulated by stars, as "idle and false astrologers imagine" [11]. Instead, God is the ultimate decision-maker, as Proverbs 16:33 states, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh" [3]. This verse highlights divine sovereignty over seemingly random events, implying that God's control extends far beyond any perceived influence of the stars.
For believers, life is to be lived by faith, not by sight or outward appearances [9]. This means trusting in God's guidance rather than seeking answers from celestial signs. The New Testament further reinforces the idea that believers are claimed by Christ and ultimately by God [7]. This relationship implies a reliance on God's direction for life decisions, often through prayer and seeking wisdom, rather than external, forbidden practices.
The prohibition against astrology is part of a broader biblical rejection of divination, which includes various methods of foretelling the future or discovering secrets through means other than God's direct revelation [5]. These practices are consistently presented as false systems for ascertaining the divine will [5].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants; -- Deuteronomy 30:19”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- Proverbs “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh. -- Proverbs 16:33”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Astrologer — (Dan. 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27, etc.) Heb. ashshaph', an enchanter, one who professes to divine future events by the appearance of the stars. This science flourished among the Chaldeans. It was positively forbidden to the Jews (Deut. 4:19; 18:10; Isa. 47:13).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Divination — is a "foretelling future events, or discovering things secret by the aid of superior beings, or other than human means." It is used in Scripture of false systems of ascertaining the divine will. It has been universal in all ages, and all nations alike civilized and savage. Numerous forms of divination are mentioned, such as divination by rods, (Hosea 4:12) divination by arrows, (Ezekiel 21:21) divination by cups, (Genesis 44:5) consultation of teraphim, (1 Samuel 15:23; Ezekiel 21:21; Zechariah 10:2) [[442]Teraphim]; divination by the liver, (Ezekiel 21:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions — God appoints -- 2Ki 6:33; Job 5:6,17; Ps 66:11; Am 3:6; Mic 6:9. God dispenses, as He will -- Job 11:10; Isa 10:15; 45:7. God regulates the measure of -- Ps 80:5; Isa 9:1; Jer 46:28. God determines the continuance of -- Ge 15:13,14; Nu 14:33; Isa 10:25; Jer 29:10. God does not willingly send -- La 3:33. Man is born to -- Job 5:6,7; 14:1. Saints appointed to -- 1Th 3:3. Consequent upon the fall -- Ge 3:16-19. Sin produces -- Job 4:8; 20:11; Pr 1:31. Sin visited with -- 2Sa 12:14; Ps 89:30-32; Isa 57:17; Ac 13:10,11. Often severe -- Job 16:7-16; Ps 42:7; ”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 32:32: YET NOW…BLOT ME, I PRAY THEE, OUT OF THY BOOK. I have already explained in my comments on And the books were opened , in the Book of Daniel (7:10), that all the decrees regarding masses and individuals are contingent upon the arrangements in the sky. 154 In other words, God’s book refers to the arrangements of the stars. Our sages have already admitted that children, longevity, and prosperity [depend upon the influence of the stars]. 155 See Mo’ed Katan 28a: “Raba said: longevity, children, and prosperity are not contingent on one’s merits but on one’s star.” ”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:7: we walk--in our Christian course here on earth. not by sight--Greek, "not by appearance." Our life is governed by faith in our immortal hope; not by the outward specious appearance of present things [TITTMANN, Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]. Compare "apparently," the Septuagint, "by appearance," Num 12:8. WAHL supports English Version. Co2 4:18 also confirms it (compare Rom 8:24; Co1 13:12-13). God has appointed in this life faith for our great duty, and in the next, vision for our reward [SOUTH] (Pe1 1:8).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 30:19: LIFE AND DEATH. The reference is to the blessing and the curse . 26 The blessing and the curse is not an addition to what precedes it but is synonymous with it. Observe, it is incumbent upon you to choose life. 27 I.E.’s interpretation of therefore choose life .”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 7.20: be certain, for they rest on mere conjecture. Now, we ought always to consider what relation the stars bear to these lower regions; for the actions of men are not regulated by them, as idle and false astrologers imagine, a vast number of whom, at the present day, endeavor to insinuate themselves into the minds of princes and subjects, as if they possessed a knowledge of everything, both present and future. Such men resemble the impostors of whom the Prophet speaks, who deceive men by their jugglery. Yet princes lend an attentive ear to such p”