Bible Studies
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Studying the bible for yourself is the key to Spiritual Growth. No one can do this for you it is part of your relationship development with God. We have put together various Bible Study lessons that we hope will encourage you to dig deeper into the word of God for yourself. We are constantly adding lessons, but if you have a topic you would like for us address please let us know.
ASTROLOGY
What’s your sign? Do you read your daily horoscope? Do you only date people with a sign that’s compatible to yours? It’s likely that most people can answer yes to at least one of these questions.
And while most would probably consider their affiliation with their zodiac sign to be harmless or even fun, we will discover how astrology and its practices are actually rooted in the occult.
That being said, the question becomes: can one believe in astrology and still be a true believer of Jesus Christ?
While there are many things that factor into our belief systems (family, traditions, culture, society) we will discover that there are really only two systems of belief: that is the belief in the kingdom of light (God’s kingdom) or belief in the kingdom of darkness (Satan’s kingdom), therefore most or all of what you believe will fit into one of these two systems or kingdoms.
Prayerfully, this study will assist you in knowing in which kingdom your beliefs align.
HISTORY OF ASTROLOGY
Astrology – is the study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs. (www.dictionary.com)
Astrology is an ancient practice, the origin of which has been credited to the Babylonians. It is believed, that they used astrological charts in their time to predict seasons and celestial happenings.
Greeks soon picked up the practice and through the works of Aristotle and Plato, astrology was presumed to be a science. But it was after it was incorporated into Roman culture, that the names for the zodiac signs, that are used today, originated.
Zodiac – An imaginary belt of the heavens, extending about 8 degrees on each side of the ecliptic, within which are the apparent paths of the sun, moon, and principal planets. It contains twelve constellations and hence twelve divisions called signs of the zodiac. Each division, however, because of the precession of the equinoxes, now contains the constellation west of the one from which it took its name. (www.dictionary.com)
Early astrologers of the zodiac (Greek for “circle of animals”) believed it took 12 months (or lunar cycles) for the sun to return to its original position. Then they identified 12 constellations and gave them the names of certain animals and persons. These astrologers believed that the Sun, Moon and the planets Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Venus and Saturn) possessed unique powers.
These zodiac signs otherwise known as sun signs, are divided in four groups:
Fire: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Air: Libra, Aquarius, Gemini
Earth: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo
Each of these four groups (Fire, water, air, earth) maintain their own position on a circle. This division is based on the earth’s daily rotation which is said to relate to finances, relationships, careers, etc. However, the 12 zodiac signs are based on the year-long earth’s rotation around the sun and relates to areas of life and character traits.
The Horoscope – 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.
The horoscope charts the position of the sun, moon, stars and planets and creates a chart for time, dates, birth location etc. It’s said the proper interpretation of the chart is an art, and when done correctly can reveal personality insights, and trends.
As you can see, the belief and practice in astrology is a complicated process. Even still, those who believe in it are convinced of its power and effect on a person’s life.
“There are 12 zodiac signs, and each sign has its own strengths and weaknesses, its own specific traits desires and attitude towards life and people. By analyzing the projection of the position of planets, and the Sun and the Moon on the Ecliptic at the moment of birth. Astrology can give a glimpse of a person’s basic characteristics, preferences, flaws and fears.”
Although astrology is not a religion, it offers comfort, faith and a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Interpretations often offer assurances of one’s future, but more importantly, they are supposed to show us a way to resolve our issues and to improve our relationships with our partners, family and friends and mainly tools to meet ourselves and discover our own inner worlds in a different light.
Excerpts from: www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com
Astrology is a window into unseen realms. It helps us learn who we are and others too. Further, it serves as a tool to enhance our understanding and compassion towards others.
Excerpts from: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/zodiac-signs-and-meanings.html
THE TRUTH ABOUT ASTROLOGY
People choose to believe in Astrology for many different reasons (guidance, insight on relationships, the meaning of life), but the obvious reason is because they think it works.
Most of us believed in zodiac signs and horoscopes based on familial beliefs or traditions, or just because it was a part of our culture. We never questioned what it actually meant or where it came from. However, a great deal of our indoctrination was done somewhat deceptively.
Songs have been ingrained in the thread of our music reaffirming our affiliation to astrology (ex. Float On, Readings in astrology, The Age of Aquarius, Signs by Beyonce, Aquarius by Common). Also the media through television, movies and daily horoscopes in local and national newspapers have made astrology normal and acceptable.
However, the beliefs and practices of astrology are in total opposition to God.
Astrology/zodiac is an occult practice
Occult – Of or relating to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies (www.dictionary.com).
Astrology is in fact a practice of the occult. It claims to use created objects to determine, relationships, life circumstances, etc., is an effort to seek a source, outside of God, for knowledge.
Astrology/Zodiac is a form of idolatry
Idolatry is image worship or divine honor paid to any created object (Easton Bible dictionary) The forms of idolatry are:
- Fetishism-or the worship of trees, rivers, hills, stars, etc.
- Nature Worship-the worship of the sun, moon, and stars as the supposed powers of nature.
- Hero worship, the worship of deceased ancestors, or of heroes.
Most people would say they don’t worship the constellations, but worship is anything you attach value to. We show honor (or worship) to someone by being obedient to them or showing them respect.
As an example, if you believe that you are only compatible with people of a certain zodiac sign, and you avoid relationships with people with whom your zodiac says you are not compatible, then you are a believer in astrology. You honor that belief by following what it says (avoiding relationships with non-compatible zodiacs). To you astrology/zodiacs/horoscopes has become an idol- something you have given honor or respect (worship) to.
Astrology can encourage other occult practices
The desire to know one’s future can cause a person to pursue deeper forms of the occult. (Seeking knowledge from mediums, psychics, fortune tellers, using Ouija boards, incantations, rituals, etc.)
Astrology promotes the belief in chance/luck
The thought that the alignment of the constellations, zodiac signs can have an effect on a person’s behavior, could cause a person to subject their life to chance/luck. It could cause a person to not take responsibility for their life choices, but instead cause your life to line up with your horoscope or make excuses for your behavior because of your sign or horoscope.
Note: It is important to note that many of the personality tests (such as Jung personality test) have been developed or influenced by astrology.
Astrology is a trap that brings a curse
We are snared when we engage ourselves in occultism and because Satan’s things are cursed, we in turn bring a curse into our lives.
Deuteronomy 7:25-26 – The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.
26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
Astrology draws a wedge between you and God. Instead of trusting God with your life you instead put your trust in the demonic sources to determine your future.
The TRUTH is:
We are created by God the Father. He is the one who masterfully created us to reflect his image. (Acts 17:26, Genesis 5:1-2, James 3:9, Isaiah 45:12, Psalm 139:14, Job 4:17, Psalm 100:3, Psalm 119:73). Thus, who we are, our character, etc., cannot be determined by anything or anyone but God.
Further, the constellations were created by God. The stars/constellations can provide no more information about us than it can about themselves, because the stars and constellations, like us, were created. (Psalm 8:3-6)
Astrology is more than just a harmless past time. When you read horoscopes, or give heed to your zodiac sign, you are seeking knowledge from the kingdom of darkness (Satan), thus any guidance or information you receive will be demonic.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Most people are familiar with the story of Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 2:15-16 God speaks to the man about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He instructs Adam that he can eat of any tree in the garden with the exception of one:
Genesis 2:15-16 – 15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
In Genesis 3, we are introduced to the serpent as he approaches the woman (Eve) about eating from the forbidden tree:
Genesis 3:1-5 – Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Satan implied that God was hiding knowledge from the woman and therefore if she ate of the fruit she too would be like a god, with the knowledge of good and evil.
The truth is that Satan himself was the one hiding information:
The word Serpent in Hebrew is nachash (H5175) meaning serpent or snake. However the root word of nachash is still (H5172 nachash) however, it means: to practice divination, divine, observe signs, learn by experience, diligently observe, practice fortunetelling, take as an omen.
The serpent deceived the woman into believing she would be like God, the greatest lie ever told. Instead of trusting God for the provision of her life, she chose to be “god” and know for herself. But the knowledge of evil that the Serpent was referring to involved delving into dark practices to try the find knowledge of things that only God knows.
The very practices of divination, observing signs, fortunetelling, etc. all originate from The Evil One himself, the serpent, Satan. That means when we seek the occult for knowledge the source of that knowledge is from dark (satanic) sources.
Even though Astrology was practiced in the bible by King Nebuchadnezzar and other pagan nations, God gave the children of Israel specific commands not to practice such things:
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – There shall not be found among you (any one) that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter or a witch, or charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD:
Leviticus 19:26 – Ye Shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
Leviticus 19:31 – Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 20:6 – And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
The word clearly states that we are defiled when we engage in occult activities, and that God will turn his face from those who do.
Note: Although this directive was given to the children of Israel, it still applies to us today. I know many people believe that the old covenant no longer applies, but Jesus himself said that he did not come to do away with the old covenant but to fulfill it. Matthew 5:17 -Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Not only that, it’s important to realize that since God is eternal so is his word: Psalm 119:89 – For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Isaiah 40:8 – The grass withers, the flower fades. But the word of our God stands forever.
Like Eve in the Garden of Eden, it is our desire for knowledge, to be “god-like” that causes us to believe in practices such as astrology. We want to KNOW what’s in our future, we want to KNOW who we will marry, we want to KNOW about our careers, life, etc. Albeit, these things are not given to us to know.
Proverbs 27:1 – Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
James 4:14 – Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Nor are these things given to anyone else to know.
Ecclesiastes 8:7 – If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?
God knows that when we participate in things of the kingdom of darkness, it gives Satan access to our lives. His commands to stay away from these things, is for our own protection, because HE KNOWS these practices were designed to destroy us.
So the question is can you believe in Astrology and believe in God?
1.Remember there are two kingdoms. The kingdom of light – God’s kingdom and the Kingdom of darkness – Satan’s kingdom. You can only believe, serve and worship in one.
Matthew 6:24 – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
2.You are a servant of whatever kingdom (God or Satan) you choose to obey.
Romans 6:16 – Do you not know that when you continually offer yourselves to someone to do his will, you are the slaves of the one whom you obey, either slaves of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness (right standing with God)?
The reason we are not to follow astrology and other dark practices is because when we do we are advancing the kingdom of darkness, worshipping the Evil One, serving Satan. Therefore we are drawn away from worshipping the true and living God. We cannot believe in Astrology and believe in God. That would mean you serve Satan and God and as we see from the scriptures above that is impossible.
What Now?
If you have participated in astrology, including affiliation with zodiac signs and reading of horoscopes you have participated in occult activity and it has opened a door for the enemy into your life.
You must acknowledge this as sin and confess it to God.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
You must also ask God to show you any area of your life that has been affected by this sin and ask God to cleanse that area.
You must renounce (break) all agreement with the occult.
Renounce the specific activity you participated in, and never involve yourself with it again. That means disposing of any books, trinkets, jewelry or any other object tied with the Astrology.
Acts 19:18-19 – 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
You must repent of your sin.
You must repent to God for your participation in the God and turn from practicing it and never return to it again.
Acts 17: 29-30 – 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We must understand that we are NOT gods, but we do serve a gracious God that is so attentive to us that if we trust him he will guide us through life’s journey.
Psalm 139-:1-18 – O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
References
Extent of evidence in belief in Astrology. http://www.astrology.co.uk/news/astrostats.htm
Why women believe in astrology more than men:http://mashable.com/2014/12/06/astrologywomen/#O.CVndg7pOqa
The King James study Bible: King James Version. (2008). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. All references were taken from the King James Bible unless otherwise noted.