Oh, But It’s Only A Bit of Fun!

"Oh, But It's Only A Bit Of Fun!"

An honest to God, down to earth, look at the stars.

Dr. P A Kraus

So many people love having a look at their horoscope. Of course they don't believe it, "its only a bit of fun," so they say. Many of these people have a firm belief in God. They wouldn't do anything against Him, they only look into astrology "at a very superficial level" where "it can't do any harm". Every newspaper and every women's magazine has several astrologers writing for each issue. People work out the "star sign" for a new born baby almost before they decide on a name for the infant.

Is a little dabble into the stars so harmless?

Lets have a look and see what God has to say.

There are numerous references to astrology in the Bible, from the books of Moses (1400BC) through to the New Testament (55 AD). Astrology is mentioned specifically by Isaiah in 700 BC (Isaiah 47:13). In a prophecy against Babylon, that ancient stronghold of the "New Age", Isaiah refers to "astrologers, stargazers and the monthly prognosticators." The words "soothsaying" or "soothsayers" and "divination" are mentioned more frequently. This meant foretelling the future by supernatural means, so including "the stars". Throughout the Bible all forms of witchcraft, mediums, familiar spirits, sorcery are all lumped together. You would have to be a little blind not to realize they still are.

Let's keep looking. We'll start with Leviticus, the third book of Moses.(Leviticus 19:26) "Do not practice divination or sorcery."That says it pretty clearly and in a nutshell!

"Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 19 verse 31)

(God speaking)"I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people. Consecrate yourselves to be holy, because I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus chapter 20 verse 26)

Now turn to Deuteronomy, (the fifth book of Moses)"let no-one be found among you ...who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or a spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. You must be blameless before the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 10 to 13).

In the second book of Chronicles, (written 400BC), we read of the evil king Manasseh:"He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshipped them....practised sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord.." (2 Chronicles chapter 33 verses 1-6).

Turning to the New Testament, the apostle Paul lists among " the acts of the sinful nature" (works of the flesh " in some versions) idolatry and witchcraft or sorcery. (Galatians 5:19-20)

Why?

Why is God so down on a harmless giggle looking at this week's horoscope?

Because He says, "I am the Lord your God." We are to turn to Him, not "the stars", for our future security.

He, and He alone, is our God.

The very first of the Ten Commandments says"I am the Lord your God..you shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20).Having a little play with astrology is like having a little pretend breaking of the first commandment.

Don't play with fire. Understand that Satan hates God. Satan doesn't give a tinker's curse about us. He only wants to seduce us to spite God.

One of the most powerful forms of leading up the garden path is "gradualism". "Just a little bit of fun, don't take it seriously and its harmless."

Don't you believe it. Jesus called Satan a liar (john 8:44) and said
"The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might have life and have it to the full."(John 10:10).

Some 1400 years earlier , Joshua said to the Jews he was about to lead into the promised land.
‘But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

What will you do?

(All quotes from the New International Version, New York International Bible Society, 1978)

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