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Recently, I read a report from one European country saying that only four percent of the predictions their so-called psychics had made at the beginning of that year had actually come true. That's not a very impressive record!
But the main reason the Bible warns us against turning to those who claim to have psychic powers is that it can easily lead us into occult practices. Occult powers are real, the Bible teaches, but they do not come from God but from spiritual forces hostile to God. That's why we are warned to avoid them at all cost. The Bible says, "Let no one be found among you ... who is a medium or spiritist" (Deuteronomy 18:10-11).
Instead, I urge you to turn to the living God and let Him be your guide. Only He can forgive all our sins, and only He can give us hope for the future. And only He loves us with a love that will never change, and only He wants to guide us into good paths.
The Psalmist said, "He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (Psalm 23:3). Isn't this what we need, to be restored in our souls and guided in our lives? Of course it is. Don't look anywhere else, but turn to Christ and ask Him to restore and guide you every day.
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Astrology is offensive to God because it attributes to planets and stars the power that belongs to God alone and because it tries to find the will of God by other means than God has appointed.
The fascination with astrology and horoscopes undoubtedly reflects people's search for a wisdom beyond their own and direction for the future. Astrology is the ancient belief that a person's destiny can be found in the pattern of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth. The "horoscope" is the chart that attempts to describe that destiny.
The Bible mentions the astrologers in the royal court at Babylon and their inability to tell or interpret royal dreams (Daniel 2:10-11 and Daniel 4:7). Isaiah the prophet spoke of astrologers with derision: "Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you" (Isaiah 47:13).
Astrology is offensive to God because it attributes to planets and stars the power that belongs to God alone and because it tries to find the will of God by other means than God has appointed. Throughout the Bible God tells us that He will guide us; read Psalm 23:1-2, 25:9,12, 32:8; Luke 1:79; and John 7:17. The Christian has no need of astrology with its futile hints, for he turns instead to the guidance of God's Word. For more information about astrology you might consult "Handbook of Today's Religions" by Josh McDowell and Don Stewart. It would be available through a Christian bookstore.
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Billy Graham writes, "The Bible warns us against becoming involved in any kind of psychic phenomena (including fortune telling)."
Have you ever kept any of those psychic's predictions, then examined them after a year to see if they actually came true? If you did, I think you'd have the answer to your question, because they seldom get it right. And many of their predictions are so vague anyway that they could mean almost anything.
At the same time, the Bible warns us against becoming involved in any kind of psychic phenomena (including fortune telling). The reason? Because such things may bring us into contact with spiritual forces that are not from God, and are even opposed to God. Throughout the Bible we are told to be on guard "against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).
The Bible teaches that occult forces will deceive us and lead us away from God, and we must not open ourselves to their influence. The Bible says, "Diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false; they give comfort in vain" (Zechariah 10:2).
Yes, we all have a natural curiosity about the future. But listen: Only God knows the future, and the most important thing we can do is trust our lives -- including our futures -- into His hands. Don't be misled, but commit your life to Christ today. God loves you, and when you know Christ, you can face the future with peace.
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Billy Graham writes, "Some magazines are filled with predictions about the coming 12 months. But how many of those will actually come true? Very few."
I sincerely hope you won't be misled by your friend's ideas, or allow yourself to be led down a path that will only lead you away from the truth.
Astrology and other attempts to predict the future were very common in the ancient world (as they are today), but God's people were commanded to avoid them. Why was this? One reason is because a person can easily get involved in occult practices through them -- practices that will turn you away from God. Don't take that risk!
Another reason, however, is that such efforts are often false, only based on a person's imagination. I am writing this just as we start a new year, and some magazines are filled with predictions about the coming 12 months. But how many of those will actually come true? Very few. The prophet Isaiah said about such predictions, "Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up" (Isaiah 47: 14).
Instead, I urge you to base your life on Christ and His Word, the Bible. Only He can forgive us our sins and reconcile us to God -- which is our greatest need. And only He can guide us in the right path, by showing us how to live. Don't be misled, but give your life to Christ and trust Him for the future.