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Written by Jack Hayford
Some years ago, a local television reporter asked me by
telephone to state my position on astrology,
“as a Christian and as pastor of one of Los Angeles’ well-known churches.”
That
conversation reminded me of the necessity for everyone to have a basic
understanding of the subject, hence:
1) The Bible not only rejects but condemns astrology. Isaiah
47:12-15 should be read carefully.
The
concluding words of warning regarding the person committed to astrology and related
occult practices make clear that confusion is the inevitable lot of such a
person and tragic, eternal loss the final price.
2) The idea that the wisemen (magi), who found the young Christ
by way of astrological pursuits, somehow supports astrology because of their
inclusion in the Bible is a groundless one.
They
only reveal how God meets earnest hearts where they are, and, if they honestly
are searching for Him, He’ll see that they get there.
But
please notice, the whole story in Matthew 2 notes that
(a) it
took the revelation of the Word of God to finalize their quest and
(b)
their quest wasn’t final until they found the Son of God.
3) The danger of astrology is beyond a simple, superstitious
misuse of time. Following the trade of occult practices is to traffic with the
demonic.
The
“uncanny” sequence of events, people and trivia in a person’s life, seeming to
confirm the forecast of their horoscope, is the direct result of demonic
manipulation of people and circumstances.
It
isn’t the result of some cosmic influence radiating from the stars. It is a
hellish work coming from Satan himself, having found but one more way to steal,
to kill and to destroy sheep-like humans (John 10).
4) Presumably, everyone reading these words knows the difference
between astrology and astronomy: the former is a metaphysical or occult
practice, and the latter an objective pursuit of physical science.
There
is nothing wrong with the study of astronomy. Indeed, there is great
inspiration in studying any aspect of God’s creation.
In this
realm, the acid test is the willingness of the student to acknowledge God’s
handiwork and to overcome the idolatrous systems of human pride, which chalk
galaxies off to a deity named Chance (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-32).
5) Finally, knowledgeable Bible students are aware of the fact
and the reason that the name of some star groups occur in the Bible (ex: Job 9:9; 38:31, 32; Amos 5:8).
These
references to constellations are not astrological, but are a means of teaching.
It is a
fact that before the ancient Babylonian systems of astrology became popular,
the godly patriarchs linked the spiritual lessons of God’s promised redemption
in the minds of their children by using the canvas of the skies (and in a day
when pen and paper were unknown).
The way
to relate to a person involved in astrology is not to preach against their
practice, but to show them the love of Jesus Christ.
It may
be that their quest is an honest one, not an avoidance of confronting the
reality of the Savior.
If so,
when they encounter His love in you, they’ll do what wise men do every time.
They will cease “following stars” and bow before Jesus.
Jack Hayford knows
the awesome power of God firsthand. When he was a baby, he was gripped by a
life-threatening illness. But as a result of the earnest prayers of friends and
family, he was miraculously healed. The doctors had no other explanation except
that the grace of God snatched him back from the brink of death. Several years
later, Jack was struck down again by sickness. This time it was polio. The
church elders anointed him and prayed for his recovery. God heard their
petitions and granted a second miracle. These two extraordinary events ignited
in Jack’s heart a passion for God and convinced him that the Holy Spirit is
alive and active in the contemporary church. “Contrary to our preconceptions,
God is not economical with healings and miracles. Such wondrous works are
frequently attending the proclamation of truth in Jesus’ name,” asserts Pastor
Jack.
Jack Hayford serves as Chancellor of The Kings University
(formerly The King’s College and Seminary) in Los Angeles and Dallas, which he
founded in 1997. From 2004 to 2009, he also served as President of The
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. He is probably best known, however,
as “Pastor Jack,” founding pastor of The Church On The Way in Van Nuys,
California, where he served as senior pastor for more than three decades. A
prolific and best-selling writer, Pastor Hayford is the author (or co-author)
of more than fifty books and has composed 500 hymns and choruses, including the
internationally known and widely recorded “Majesty.”
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