Jacob 4

Jacob 4:6-7 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea. Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things. Couple of thoughts: first, their faith comes from searching the scriptures. This is consistent with something Paul said about faith comes by hearing the word. The scriptures seem to be important beyond their educational content, and the study of the scriptures seems to do more than educate—it seems to actually grow faith. Second, what weakness were they shown that reminds them (effectively) that they are not responsible for their capabilities (you may not have noticed, but he didn't say that they do command, but that they can command. So if you've got an individual who is capable of moving mountains, what do you show him within his own self that reminds him that he's not actually responsible for that unused prowess? It seems like a flaw in the system because you've already restricted him to using the ability only when you say it's ok. Is he really going to forget that he's using the power on sufferance if it doesn't work unless he checks with you first?