The belief that Satan is responsible for human sin, often linked to the ceremony of the two goats in Leviticus 16, does not find support in God's word. Though Satan deceives and influences mankind as the ruler of this world, broadcasting attitudes of disobedience, God's word does not hold him accountable as the author of our sins. Ephesians 2:2 acknowledges a spirit influence at work, but mankind's free moral agency, rooted in the spirit in man, means that no external force compels us to act. God declares that mankind is without excuse, having the power to choose life or death, as seen in ancient Israel's history and Elijah's call to decide whom to serve. James 1 reveals that sin arises from our own desires, not from Satan's authorship, highlighting the problem of the human heart rather than Satan's actions. John 8:44 identifies Satan as a spiritual father to those who mirror his lies and murder, yet Ezekiel 18:19-20 clarifies that each soul bears its own guilt, not the guilt of a father, spiritual or otherwise. God holds individuals accountable for their choices, even urging them to reject sinful influences and choose differently. I John 3:8-9 contrasts those who sin as a way of life, aligning with Satan, against those born of God who do not live in sin, but it does not attribute the authorship of sin to him. Genesis 3:17 shows God identifying Adam's sin as heeding another's voice, not as being authored by another, and Romans 5:12 places the origin of human sin with Adam, not Satan. God reckons human sin to mankind, not to an external source, emphasizing personal responsibility. Romans 7 reflects Paul's struggle with sin, concluding that it dwells within him, with no blame placed on Satan. Leviticus 5:17 states that a person who sins, even in ignorance, bears full guilt, with no concept of divided responsibility or partial sin in Scripture. God's word does not split the death penalty between a person and Satan; each earns the wages of their own sin. True repentance requires full acknowledgment of personal guilt, without shifting blame. The idea that Satan's part in mankind's sins will be placed on him at Christ's return, or that Christ paid only for our part of sin, contradicts the biblical principle of individual accountability. Leviticus 16:21 specifies that the iniquities of the children of Israel, not Satan's sins, are placed on the goat of departure. The danger lies not in Satan forcing us to sin, but in our own choices to sin, incurring the death penalty through faulty reasoning or deception, for which we bear full responsibility.

Satan is not responsible for our sin, though his influence pervades the world. Deceit and lies, as seen even in simple entertainment, demonstrate that no aspect of this world remains untouched by the evil of this vile creature, whose every moment is bent on the destruction of God and His purpose through promoting sin and death. It is impossible to live in this world without being touched by his evil, and this reality heavily impacts Christian life. God did not create the sinful nature we possess, nor did He set up humanity to sin. He created a mind and heart capable of accepting or rejecting alternatives, adapting to them, and even magnifying them. Human nature, in reality, is a satanic nature adapted to humanity, which began when Adam and Eve associated with satan and submitted to him. This nature has flourished in mankind to such an extent that humanity is enslaved to it, making satan the god of this world and the father of all the unconverted. This sinful nature is not passed through natural birth processes but through association with satan, his spirit, and the community of demons, as well as an already infected world. Just as Adam and Eve were influenced by satan in their innocence, so too are individuals infected from birth through contact with him, his demons, and the corrupted world. Satan is not omnipresent or omnipotent; he can only be in one place at a time, but with the help of demons and the growing population of infected individuals, his influence spreads easily. As people are born, they are continually exposed to his attitudes and conduct, perpetuating his evil spirit. God permitted this to occur for a purpose, though mankind often shifts the blame for its sinful nature to Him, accusing Him of setting humanity up to fail. However, each person remains responsible for their own sin. Adam did not make others sin; he was merely the first to do so, and all who followed have emulated his behavior. Death passed upon all because all have sinned, not because of a nature inherently placed by God or solely due to Adam's actions. Satan's role as the god of this world challenges God's people through the organized system he rules, tainting everything with his evil nature, characterized by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

Satan, Not Responsible for Our Sin

Scripture plainly teaches that Christ bears our sins, while introducing grave error by blaming Satan for the sins of humanity. Apocryphal tradition holds that all sin should be ascribed to a fallen angel named Azazel, and it is commonly taught that the real cause and actual author of human sin is Satan. However, the Word of God shows this is not true. There is no question that Satan deceives, broadcasting his attitudes which we all have tuned into. Jesus calls the devil the ruler of this world, and John declares that the whole world lies under his sway. Yet, there is a spirit in man that is the basis of mankind's reason and free moral agency. This biblically revealed truth means that, while a malignant spirit can affect the spirit in man, it does not force a person to act. God says they have enough evidence of His power and divine nature to make them without excuse.

The ancient Israelites did not have God's Spirit, yet He still set life and death before them, commanding them to choose. God's admonition shows that if they allowed themselves to be deceived, it was due to their not taking heed. They could blame only themselves. Satan exerts influence, sometimes powerfully, but the responsibility to choose life still belongs to the individual. When we sin, it is not because Satan authors it. James 1:14 says that we sin when we are drawn away by our desires, which give birth to sin. We sin because our hearts are not yet like God's heart, which cannot be tempted. The core problem is not what Satan does, though it is certainly problematic, but the desperately evil human heart.

In John 8:44, Jesus identifies Satan as the spiritual father of those Jews who opposed Him, implying they had learned how to murder and lie because the devil was their spiritual father. However, God holds the father accountable for his sins, and the children responsible for their sins. The sinning soul bears its own guilt and penalty of death. Ezekiel 18 completely nullifies the justification that a child can blame his parents for his faults. Following this through, God will not accept this justification with regard to an individual blaming his spiritual father, Satan, even though he wields considerable influence. Satan cannot bear the guilt of sins committed by a human. He bears the guilt for his own sins, which include deception, but he cannot make us sin.

In Genesis 3:17, God identifies the trigger of Adam's sin as heeding the voice of his wife. In the same way, our sin may begin with heeding the voice of another, like Satan, but he is not the author of our sin. Though Adam and Eve played the blame game, God did not accept their excuses. If we hold to the justification that Satan is the real cause of our sins, we are trying to dodge reality, just as they did. The apostle Paul declares in Romans 5:12 that sin entered the world through one man, Adam. Notice that God does not put the origin of human sin on Satan, but on Adam, even though Satan sinned long before and overtly lied to Eve. Paul's conclusion suggests that, in addition to Satan being completely unworthy of being represented by a substitutionary sacrifice, it is also wholly incongruous to suggest that the sins of the people belong on Satan's head. Their sins are their own, and Satan's sins are his own.

Leviticus 16:21-22 states that the sins in view are human sins, yet some propose that what is being expiated is Satan's portion of human sin. The Bible says nothing about a co-sinner. God does not split up the death penalty, such that a person earns part of the death penalty, while Satan earns the rest. Sinning in ignorance, including transgressing due to deception, does not mean that less of a sin has been committed against God's holy, spiritual law. Regardless of what led to the infraction, when a sin is committed, the sinner earns the wages of sin. There is no concept of a partial sin or divided guilt in the Scriptur