Exercising Authority Over Other !

Exercising Authority Over Other: Peter wrote, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Your adversary means your opponent. This is as far as a lot of people read. They say, "Oh, the devil is after me ! They asked for prayer so the devil won't get them--- but in reality the devil already got them if they talk that way. It is too late to pray then. What are we going to do about him: roll over and play dead ? Or continue to talk his language. Hide our head in the sand and hope he'll disappear ? No, thank God, notice what it says as we go on reading. The next verse reads, "whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions [tests and trials] are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." The Amplified version says "Be well balanced [temperate, sober mind], be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Verse 9, Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset-- rooted, established, strong, and movable, and the determined], knowing that the same [identical] sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood [the whole body of Christians] throughout the world." I like that better. Jesus said to him in this vision, "Peter did not write this letter and tell Christians, "Now, word has come to me that God's using our beloved brother Paul in casting out devils, and he's sending handkerchiefs or cloths, and the diseases are disappearing from people, and evil spirits are going out of them, so I would suggest that you write to Paul and get a handkerchief." No, instead of that, he told them to do something about the devil. Why ? Because they've got authority over him. The spirit of God through the apostle Peter wouldn't tell you to do something you couldn't do. The reason you can do it is because every believer has the same authority Paul had in Jesus Christ. However, most believers do not believe what the Bible says less long, know what the Bible says. Peter didn't tell us that only Paul could cast out devils or that Paul would resist the devil for us. Why get Paul or Peter to do it when you can do it for yourself ? STANDING FOR BABY Believers: people are always asking me why they don't get healed or why they don't get deliverance. Some think there is something wrong with the preacher who prayed for them ! I explained that when they were first saved, they were baby believers, and God permitted others to pray for them and carry them on their faith. But after a wild, God expects that baby to grow, walk, and start doing things for themselves. God puts the baby down and tell him or her to walk, but many won't, because of their traditional beliefs and their unbelief. Too many people still want to be babies and have someone else pray for them all the time. If you do not know the will of God concerning any area in your life I suggest that you get into the word of God yourself. Because when you ask someone to pray for you that doesn't mean that they necessarily pray the prayer of faith for you !