Horoscopes, Palm Readers and Psychics: Just Harmless Entertainment?

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Just Harmless Entertainment?

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I am always a bit dismayed at how many Christians post their horoscopes on social media. Or discuss the television program they just watched about psychic intervention, and then openly praise those who have what they call "gifts." Others love to have their palms read when at a carnival or while traveling, just to see what the palm reader will say about their lives.

I remember when I was a teenager someone bought me an astrology roll. It was a piece of paper that was to be unrolled a bit each day to reveal your daily horoscope. I told myself I was doing it just for fun, but as each day progressed I realized I was comparing what happened that day to what I had read that morning. I also avoided doing some things that it warned I shouldn't. I may have been reading it for fun, but it was definitely influencing my life.

It is no different when we listen to psychics, palm readers or those who read cards and the like. No matter our initial reason for doing it, it has influence. Our minds retain that which intrigues us, and things that paint a rosy or bleak picture. Remember the movie Jaws? Some people stay out of not only oceans but also lakes and pools because of that movie. It may be a bit unreasonable, but the mind is a powerful thing and it works by what we put into it.

You might think it isn't a big deal and that you are only doing it for fun—after all it isn't hurting anyone, right? The problem is that it is hurting someone: you. God does not want us to rely on such things. The ideas of men are not those of God. If we get too involved in following these types of messages we are separating ourselves from God.

God warned the Israelites to be careful not to look to the heavens in awe and begin to worship what He had created (Deuteronomy 4:19). God knew that the Israelites would be susceptible to it, because so many around them already worshipped the sun, moon and stars. They had made them into gods and believed they guided their lives.

Some Christians claim to be separate from idols, while they still follow the outside world and practice this type of "worship." They do so by consulting their daily or monthly horoscope and by going on the occasional or regular visit to a psychic or some other type of "seer" using whatever medium.

Isaiah warns us and states plainly what God says will happen to those who practice such things: "You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from these things that shall come on you. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it” (Isaiah 47:13-14).

God says people are wearied in the multitude of counsels. That means there is too much input from false sources. God's counsel is never wearying, nor will it give you false hope. With God we have a true source in the Bible—not misguided words from men. Some believe that God has a hand in these forecasts, but the above scripture clearly shows us that God does not want us to ever look to these ways.

The next time you look to the skies, don't look for answers, just enjoy the view.

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Comments

  • Lorelei Nettles

    Hi XChristian,

    I did say that I once thought it was entertainment, but I also said that I noticed how it influenced me even though I didn't really believe in it. Many people try things "for fun" and it turns out to be a bad influence. As 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." I for one, want to keep my mind on what is right and good.

  • XChristian

    Now, I'm is not saying that Christians (or anyone) should read horoscopes, consult psychics, etc. (personally I wouldn't, but only because I have better things to do with my time and try not to engage in acts of stupidity), but as I said, as long as you know that stuff is just entertainment then, in my opinion, there's no harm in it.

  • Sabrina Peabody

    I get what you're saying - just reading the horoscope in the paper isn't going to be earth shattering, we all take those with a grain of salt, like science fiction novels. But, when you start religiously reading it or seeking out people to tell you the future, then you are on a path of dependence. You have given up your god-given free will. Staying away from it in general is probably better for your mental and spiritual health :)

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