Should Young People in the Church Use Horoscopes?

Many people turn to things like horoscopes for counsel and advice. Is this a harmless practice or something dangerous? Should we use horoscopes?

When I was younger, I partially fell for horoscopes because of my peers’ influence and regularly seeing horoscopes in newspapers. It was only when I reached my late teenage years that I understood: Christians—whether young or old—should never dabble in horoscopes.

First, what exactly is a horoscope?

According to Dictionary.com, a horoscope is: “1 a diagram of the heavens, showing the relative position of planets and the signs of the zodiac, for use in calculating births, foretelling events in a person’s life, etc. 2 a prediction of future events or advice for future behavior based on such a diagram.” 

A lot of people in the world resort to horoscopes for guidance in life, while others read horoscopes just for fun. Why is it wrong for Christians to do this? 

God commands against soothsaying 

Using horoscopes disobeys God’s commandment against dabbling in pagan customs like soothsaying and divination.

“When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 

“For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you” (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

Horoscopes are based on astrology. 

Merriam-Webster.com defines astrology as “the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects.” 

It defines divination as “the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers.” Another word for divination is soothsaying. 

Based on these definitions, horoscopes are clearly a form of divination or soothsaying. 

Biblical examples 

When Saul, Israel’s first king, saw that the Philistines were about to attack his people, he asked God for help. But because of his sins and rebellion, God refused to answer him. Therefore, Saul decided to consult a medium. Because of his reprehensible actions, Israel was defeated (1 Samuel 28:3-19). 

“So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance” (1 Chronicles 10:13). 

This illustrates the grave danger of disobeying God in this area.

In the book of Daniel, we read the story of how Daniel relied on God instead of divination. This story starts with Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, being troubled by a dream. He called the magicians, the astrologers and the sorcerers of Babylon to interpret his dream. 

However, to avoid being duped and given a sham interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar required them to first tell him the dream’s details. But they couldn’t.

On the other hand, Daniel and his friends prayed to God concerning Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Then, the secret, or dream, was revealed to Daniel in a night vision (Daniel 2:1-19). 

By relying on God, Daniel was able to tell Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and its interpretation. 

Consult God, not horoscopes

The story of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream teaches us a simple yet very powerful lesson: God has all the answers, and we should always seek His guidance.

It’s good to want guidance as you go through life, but people often use the wrong sources. Some wrongly consult mediums and horoscopes. However, we should first go to God for His wisdom and guidance (Proverbs 3:5; James 1:5). We can go to Him in prayer for help, wisdom and guidance at any time. Why would we consult a horoscope when we have access to the Creator of the universe? 

Second, we can ask wise and trustworthy people (ideally, our parents, the ministry or seasoned members) for advice and guidance based on their experience and knowledge of the Bible. The Bible says that in the multitude of counselors, there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). God often provides us counsel through other people.

God warns us not to turn to mediums or the stars for guidance (Leviticus 19:31).

Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Some read horoscopes in an effort to know how tomorrow will go or what the future holds because they are worried about it. Outside of God’s revealed prophetic word, we don’t need to be overly worried and seek horoscopes to know the future. Instead, we should place our faith in God to protect us from dangers—both present and future. 

Seeking guidance from horoscopes is a sign of a lack of faith in God and trust in His power and wisdom. 

Read the Bible, not horoscopes

As young people, we should always remember to spend our time wisely and keep our minds pure. Therefore, we shouldn’t read horoscopes, not even for fun. We shouldn’t derive entertainment from a practice God forbids. 

True Christians, including young people who are striving to live a godly life, should not let worldly things like horoscopes take their time and attention. 

We should instead spend our time and attention reading the Bible and meditating on its words. The Bible is God’s Word and therefore deserves our attention and time. We should also take advantage of the plentiful articles and resources produced by the Church. 

For more insight on these topics, read “Astrology: Can Christians Use Horoscopes?” and “What Does the Bible Say About Zodiac Signs?”

Photo credit: iStock.com/Evheniia Vasylenko

Mark Gideon Agayo attends the Baguio City, Philippines, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.