“When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.” Mark 9:25

1828 Webster’s Dictionary:
foul – Wicked; detestable; abominable,
dumb – Mute; silent; Destitute of the power of speech.
deaf – Not perceiving sounds; … Without the ability or will to regard spiritual things;
charge – To rush on; to fall on; to attack, especially with fixed bayonets; as, an army charges the enemy.

Jesus rebuked the foul spirit and charged him with authority as an army charges an enemy. He completely separated him from the innocent, pure and perfect child, God’s idea, that was there in that very place. Jesus was not moved or impressed by the mesmeric suffering that seemed to be the effects of this dumb and deaf spirit, knowing that this false belief had no real power to hurt the child. He called the evil spirit dumb and deaf; without power to speak or to behold spiritual things or the Truth.

“Evil has no reality. It is neither person, place, nor thing, but is simply a belief, an illusion of material sense.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p. 71:2-4) This is an example of separating evil from person. Even when the testimony of the senses seems so severe.

I am very grateful for this example because it gives me more confidence to not fear the seeming harsh physical picture no matter how real it may seem. We can trust God and know He will always help us.