The magi rejoiced when they saw the star that led them to the messiah, but the Magi weren’t believers. They were pagan astrologers. So should Christians look to the heavens for signs?

Many believers refer to the following passage found in Deuteronomy as a prohibition against all forms of astrology:

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.”

Deuteronomy 18:10-15 (KJV)

Another common point of confusion occurs over the terms “astronomy”, “astrology” and “astrolatry”. Astronomy is the scientific study of the planets and stars. Astrology originates from the Greek Astro- and logos. Literally the “language of the stars”. In the Psalms we find a direct reference to astrology:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language,
where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

Psalms 19:1-4

The confusion begins when people attempt to separate the signs in the heavens from the creator of the heavens. Astrology then becomes Astrolatry – the worship of the stars as if the stars themselves were responsible for our destiny. As Christians, we don’t worship the stars; and if we are going to look for signs in the heavens, they should reveal to us God’s glory and not our personal destiny.