Scripture uses 22 different names for Satan.

His diabolical intentions are recorded for us all over our Bibles, and we're even assured

that he is still present and active in this world, and in each of our lives.

But when, and how, and where?

There's a great question from a listener named Josh, Hello, Pastor John, to what extent

and by what means specifically, does Satan influence the world?

Where do you see his works most clearly today?

The word Satan is a transliteration of the Hebrew satan, and basically means opponent or adversary.

The Greek translation of that Hebrew Old Testament always translates satan with diabolos

in Greek, which means devil.

We always translate diabolos in English in the New Testament devil.

And diabolos puts a more specific focus on the meaning of the opponent or adversary,

because diabolos basically means slander or accuse.

It's used not to refer to the devil several times in the pastoral epistles of Paul to

just refer to people who are slandering others, speaking evil of them, being faults about

them.

So, even though this supernatural being, this fallen angel and arch enemy of God has a

remarkable power in the material or physical realm, like he can make people sick, he can

throw them in prison, he can even kill them.

Nevertheless, his main way of opposing God and destroying God's people is not in the

physical or material realm, but in the mental or intellectual or moral realm.

In other words, the best way to think about his power is not in terms of physical strength,

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