Theology

#STRask: Is “Satan” Merely the Propensity of Humankind to Commit Evil Acts?

Published on 07/16/2026

Questions about the idea that “Satan” is merely the propensity of humankind to commit evil acts, why Satan and the demons would want to keep storing up wrath for themselves if they know they’ll be defeated, and whether a “spirit of divorce” can be carried from generation to generation.

Topics

  • What would you say to someone who believes that Satan is not a being but rather the propensity of humankind to commit evil acts?
  • If Satan and the demons know they’ll ultimately be defeated and tormented, why would they want to keep storing up wrath for themselves?
  • I’ve heard Christians talk about a “spirit of divorce," but is that biblical, could it be carried from generation to generation, and does Exodus 20:5 support that view?

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