Note 3 at Mr 1:32: There are ten different times recorded in the Gospels where Jesus cast devils (or demons) out of people (Mt 4:24, 8:16, 28-34, 9:32-33, 12:22, 15:22-28; Mr 16:9; Lu 4:33-35, 9:38-42, and 13:11-13). Demons caused dumbness (Mt 9:32-33 and Lu 11:14), blindness and dumbness (Mt 12:22), lunacy (or insanity), seizures, attempted suicide, foaming at the mouth, gnashing of the teeth, screaming (Mt 17:14-21, Mr 9:14-29, and Lu 9:38-42), being bowed over (possibly curvature of the spine, Lu 13:11-13), and other sicknesses and diseases (Mt 4:23-24 and Ac 10:38). Jesus sent His disciples out with the command to preach the Gospel and cast out devils (Mt 10:1 and 7-8), and they exercised that authority over them (Lu 10:17).

Many battles have been fought over whether or not Christians can be demon possessed. The Greek word for "possessed" is "DAIMONIZOMAI," and it means "to be exercised by a demon" (Strong's Concordance). The Bible makes no clear distinction between degrees of demon activity (such as oppressed, depressed, possessed, etc.) but simply refers to people as being "demonized." All of us as Christians are fighting against spiritual powers (Eph 6:12), and if we don't take unto us the whole armor of God, Satan can certainly affect us or even control us.

When people have allowed demons to gain entrance into their lives to the point that the demons are controlling them, they oftentimes need the aid of Spirit-filled believers who know their authority (power) in Jesus in order to take authority over the demons and cast them out. Those receiving the deliverance must be resisting the demons also. Failure of those receiving deliverance to sincerely want to be set free will either stop the deliverance or produce the sad situation Jesus described in Mt 12:43-45.

The best way to administer deliverance is through God's Word (Ps 107:20; Mt 8:16; Joh 8:31-33, 15:3, and 17:17). As a person receives the Word, it will set that individual free and also help guard against this situation where the demon tries to come back in with seven other spirits. In severe cases of being demonized, though, the individual clearly needs the help of a believer, and that's the reason for Jesus equipping all believers with authority over evil spirits (Mt 10:1 and Mr 16:17).

Anointed praise and worship will also drive off evil spirits (1Sa 16:23, see note 4 at Mt 4:9 with Mt 21:16 and Ps 8:2). For those who know God and are unmovable in their relationship with Him, there is no problem casting out devils. However, as illustrated in Ac 19:13-17, those who don't really "know" Jesus should not attempt a deliverance.