Kari Paul, writing for MarketWatch, points out how millennials are “ditching religion for witchcraft and astrology.” According to her article written late last year, the 18 to 30 demographic is increasingly into horoscopes, psychic services, mediums, and other metaphysical options. Millennials are largely responsible for making these spiritual offerings an annual $2 billion industry. Interest in the occult is booming especially among young adults in their twenties. Such a disturbing trend reveals a generation that has abandoned God and is now filling the spiritual void with dangerous spiritual substitutes.

Jesus taught that reformation without regeneration ultimately leads to a condition worse than that which existed before the transformation. In Matthew 12:43-45, our Lord explains this phenomenon in terms of “this evil generation.” In other words, a generation that attempts to reform itself apart from God ends up in a worse condition because their own self-righteousness leads to complete independence from God. They cannot imagine they need God since they are quite capable of being good people on their own. Dr. John MacArthur commented on this saying, “It is much easier to reach someone who is overwhelmed with a true sense of his sin than someone who is overwhelmed with a false sense of his own righteousness.”

People who have not been changed from the inside, whose nature remains unregenerate, will likewise resort to their sinful ways and to a far worse degree.

Our millennial friends are not taking up tarot cards and horoscopes because they want to live diabolic lives. Rather, their goal is to find some tangible ways to improve their lives. They believe positive change can be achieved through various spiritual practices. For example, Coco Layne, a producer in Brooklyn who talks about the metaphysical benefits of occult practices, said, “People need to do their homework: being in touch with your spiritual side is a natural, human thing to do; being able to connect yourself is essential to healing not only your own wounds, but healing together.”

Because we are spiritual beings, we will worship something. When God is rejected he is also eventually replaced with something else to worship. Sadly, many millennials are turning to astrology and the occult because it fills the emptiness in their lives. Banu Guler, co-founder of the astrology app “Co-Star” admits: “There is a belief vacuum; we go from work to a bar to dinner and a date, with no semblance of meaning. Astrology is a way out of it, a way of putting yourself in the context of thousands of years of history and the universe.”

The tragedy is that which is filling the vacuum is worse than the emptiness they’re attempting to fill. In the words of Jesus, “the last state of that person is worse than the first.” People who turn to such things usually end up in far worse sin because they eventually discover their spiritual thirst has not been quenched and their hearts are still hungry. This is what Peter talks about in his second letter: “What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22) They do it because it’s their nature to do so. People who have not been changed from the inside, whose nature remains unregenerate, will likewise resort to their sinful ways and to a far worse degree.

Exactly how evil can a person become who has rejected God and sought to fill the vacuum with something else? Well in Jesus’ day the Jews were a perfect example. During the exile they had turned from the idolatry that had for centuries proved their downfall. Yet, when Messiah came they were so satisfied with their own self-made righteousness, their traditions, and their ceremonies that they had no room for Jesus. In fact, it was these same, self-righteous Jews that had him nailed to the cross.