10+ Myths About Hell That Don’t Align with Biblical Teachings : The Hearty Soul

Art, books, and movies show us vivid pictures of hell. We see fiery pits, tortured souls, and demons with pitchforks. Famous works like Dante’s “Inferno” and paintings by Bosch fill our minds with striking images. These cultural portrayals shape what we think about eternal punishment. But did you know many of these popular ideas don’t come from the Bible? Over the centuries, our concept of hell has mixed with myths, legends, and even Greek ideas about the afterlife. The Bible’s actual teaching might surprise you. Let’s look at common myths about hell and what Scripture says about this often misunderstood topic.

Myth 1: Hell Isn’t Real

A Renaissance-style ceiling fresco in a domed church depicting angels and heavenly figures gathered around a central bright light. The painting shows winged figures with colorful garments against a backdrop of reddish flames or clouds along the edges. — Credit: Unsplash

First and foremost, some teachers feel uneasy about eternal punishment. They claim hell is just a symbol, not a real place. However, the Bible says otherwise. Jesus talked about hell more than anyone else in Scripture. In fact, in Matthew 25:46, he makes a clear line between “eternal punishment” and “eternal life.” He warns in Mark 9:43, “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.”

Myth 2: Hell Exists Underground

A dark medieval painting by Hieronymus Bosch showing part of his vision of hell. The scene depicts tiny human figures on a brownish landscape with various torments and strange structures. This appears to be a fragment from his famous "Garden of Earthly Delights" triptych. — Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Beyond questioning hell’s existence, we often think heaven sits above the clouds and hell burns under our feet. Nevertheless, the Bible gives us a different picture. Scripture talks about hell in spiritual terms, not as a place on a map. Specifically, in 2 Peter 2:4, God “sent the angels who sinned to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.” This describes a spiritual realm beyond our world.

Myth 3: Satan Rules Hell

A classical painting of a fallen angel. The figure is shown as a nude male with dark wings, reclining on a rocky outcrop with a sorrowful or contemplative expression. In the background, there are faint figures flying through a pale blue sky. — Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Additionally, movies often show Satan as hell’s king, sitting on a throne and giving orders to demons. This image comes from stories, not the Bible. On the contrary, Revelation 20:10 tells us Satan will be “thrown into the lake of burning sulfur” to be “tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Satan suffers in hell as a prisoner, not as a ruler. Furthermore, Matthew 25:41 calls hell “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” God made it to punish Satan, not to be his kingdom.

Myth 4: Hell Means Literal Fire and Darkness

An abstract image of fire and flames, showing an explosion of bright orange and yellow light against a dark background. The fire creates a swirling, dynamic pattern that appears to be expanding outward. — Credit: Pexels

Meanwhile, most people see hell as flames and darkness. These vivid images likely work as word pictures rather than exact details. Jesus used different images when talking about hell. For instance, he called it “outer darkness” where people will face “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). He also called it “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41). These varied pictures suggest symbols that show how serious God’s judgment is.

Myth 5: Everyone Gets the Same Punishment

A medieval stained glass window depicting an angel with green wings and a golden halo. The angel is shown in traditional medieval style with several nude human figures below, possibly representing souls. The background is rich blue with decorative patterns. — Credit: Unsplash

Another common misconception is that hell gives the same punishment to all. In contrast, the Bible points to varying levels of blame. Jesus teaches this in Luke 12:47-48: “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.” Similarly, in Matthew 23:14, Jesus warns religious leaders about “greater condemnation” for their fake goodness.

Myth 6: God Wants to Send People to Hell

A close-up photograph of outstretched hands, palm up, wearing a yellow and burgundy robe or garment. The image is taken against a dark background and appears to represent Christ or a biblical figure offering mercy or blessing. — Credit: Pexels

Perhaps most troubling, some think God enjoys sending people to hell. This goes against God’s nature as the Bible shows it. Above all, God himself says in Ezekiel 18:23, “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” To emphasize this point, 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God wants to save people, not condemn them.

Myth 7: People Already Suffer in Hell

A Byzantine or medieval mosaic arch depicting Jesus Christ enthroned in heaven surrounded by saints and angels. The artwork is golden and ornate, typical of church decoration, showing Christ in blue robes with figures below looking upward toward him. — Credit: Pixabay

Equally misleading, many think souls go right to heaven or hell after death. Bible verses point to a future judgment instead. Specifically, Revelation 20:11-15 talks about a coming judgment day: “The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” This points to a future event, not something that happens right after death. As a result, in John 5:28-29, Jesus says, “A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out.”

Myth 8: Good Works Determine Your Destination

A close-up photograph of hands raised in worship, bathed in purple and blue stage lighting. The image shows just the silhouette of hands raised in prayer or praise during what appears to be a church service. — Credit: Unsplash

Many think our final home depends on having more good deeds than bad ones. Ephesians 2:8-9 corrects this: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast.” To support this further, Titus 3:5 backs this up: “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

Myth 9: Hell Hosts a Party with Friends

A historical engraving or etching depicting a scene from classical mythology showing nude figures and horses entering or fleeing from a cave. The black and white artwork appears to show a mythological journey to the underworld. — Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In today’s culture, some joke about meeting friends in hell for an endless party. This makes light of what the Bible shows as very serious. Rather, Jesus describes hell as a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42), showing suffering, not fun. In Luke 16:24, the rich man cries from Hades, “I am in agony in this fire.” This reveals pain and isolation, not hanging out with friends.

Myth 10: Demons Torture People in Hell

A photograph of empty prison cells viewed through iron bars. The brick-walled cells are dimly lit with light coming from small windows, showing a stark, abandoned prison interior. — Credit: Pixabay

Likewise, movies often show demons hurting human souls in hell. The Bible never shows demons as hell’s guards or torturers. Instead, Matthew 25:41 calls hell “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” This shows demons as fellow inmates, not wardens. Revelation 20:10 shows Satan himself feeling torment “day and night.“

Myth 11: The Bible Talks About Hell a Lot

A photograph of hands holding an open Bible, with the pages visible showing small text in columns. The image is taken with a shallow depth of field with a blue background, focusing on the sacred text. — Credit: Unsplash

Despite popular belief, since churches often focus on hell, many think the Bible must too. But in reality, the Bible mentions hell far less than other topics. In truth, Jesus talked more about heaven than hell. The Bible focuses mainly on God’s plan to save us, not on punishment.

Myth 12: Purgatory or Universal Salvation Offer Other Options

A photograph looking down a dark tunnel or passage with light visible at the end. The tunnel has stone walls and steps leading upward toward the bright opening, creating a stark contrast between darkness and light. — Credit: Pixabay

Finally, ideas like purgatory (a cleaning place before heaven) and universal salvation (everyone gets saved in the end) lack Bible support. Hebrews 9:27 states, “People are destined to die once and after that to face judgment.” About universal salvation, Matthew 7:13-14 talks about the “narrow road” to life, and says “only a few find it.”

What Matters About Hell

A landscape photograph of a wooden cross silhouetted against a sunset sky. The cross stands on a mountain overlook with dramatic views of mountains, a lake, and valleys below, with golden light from the setting sun illuminating the scene. — Credit: Unsplash

In conclusion, what we learn about hell from the Bible shapes how we see God’s justice, mercy, and the value of salvation. While this tough topic challenges many, clearing up wrong ideas helps us understand it better. Ultimately, the Bible warns about hell because it’s real. But thank God, he offers us escape from what we deserve. Through his kindness and Christ’s sacrifice, he gives us a way out of eternal punishment and the gift of endless life instead.