Thanks Ulrich. I am bothered somewhat by your description of how Satan represents humans when we try to be like God as it seems to contradict the Orthodox notion of theosis. I thought the point of the Chistian life was to become more and more like God.

If the Holy Spirit is a counterbalance to Satan, then we have implicitly equated Satan with the third person of the Trinity (ie God). 

I don't see a way around the unhinging of Christian monotheism when it comes to its belief in Satan (even that phrase -- belief in Satan belies language we usually reserve for God.

Now, if Satan is the name we give to evil, then you and I agree as I mentioned in the post vis a vis the personification of evil.