Follow Horoscopes? You may not be who you thought you were…

The third of Americans who believe their lives are guided by a zodiac sign might be in for a cosmic shock. According to Minneapolis astronomy teacher Parke Kunkle, many have been reading the wrong horoscope in the newspaper their whole lives.

Star lovers crossed

Since the zodiac periods were established in Babylon thousands of years ago, the moon’s gravitational pull on the earth has caused it to “wobble” and has gradually caused a shift in the stars’ alignment to the point that the signs are now off by about a month. This story and the consternation, even fear, it is creating have become big enough that even Time magazine reported on it.

A trustworthy guide

If this makes you wonder about the confidence we can have in horoscopes, it should. A much better source of guidance for life’s decisions is the Word of God. The Bible tells the story of how we humans got to be where we are today (Genesis 3 and the last half of Romans 1); it tells us how to improve our lives and escape painful mistakes (Proverbs); and it foretells the most important events in the human story that are yet ahead (Matthew 24-25 will give you goose bumps). It also explains how we can achieve our human potential for all eternity (Romans 8).

The Bible on astrology

• God specifically mocked the Babylonian astrologers whose system people still follow today. God predicted the defeat and destruction of their city, and that they would be powerless to foretell it, prevent it or save themselves:

“Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, 
And the monthly prognosticators 
Stand up and save you 
From what shall come upon you. 
Behold, they shall be as stubble, 
The fire shall burn them” (Isaiah 47:13-14).

This all happened exactly like God said it would. In 539 B.C., horoscopes in Babylon should have read, “This year will bring war, destruction, rape and ruin; get out of town.” But they didn’t. The city was conquered; the king and his court and the stargazers were killed. God gave that prophecy over 100 years before it came to pass. God shapes and modifies future events to fulfill His master plan.

• When the prophet Daniel was called to explain a king’s mysterious dream, Daniel told him: “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets” (Daniel 2:27-28). God’s revelation is the only true revelation of future events. God may not tell us, “You’ll be the center of attention today,” or “This is a good day to improve relationships and avoid financial commitments,” but He does tell us what we really need to know in life; the deepest most important secrets of our existence.

• Most horoscopes are so vague in their language that anyone can find some meaning and an application. But, there is something much more trustworthy than horoscopes to show us how to live. Jesus Christ emphasized knowing and living by the Word of God.

• “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
• Speaking to His Father in prayer Jesus said: “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).
• He also said “the Scriptures cannot be broken” (John 10:35).

The Bible gives truth and guidance we can always count on. So forget reading horoscopes. Instead, crack open your Bible and read what God has to say. That’s guidance we can be sure of.