The Battle for Your Mind: Identifying and Pulling Down Mental Strongholds (Wrong Thinking)

So often, when I talk with people pursuing freedom, I’m reminded that the battle takes place in one’s mind; this is why the Apostle Paul teaches us to take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:3-5)!

We would like to think that the only truth we hold is God’s truth and not the world’s.  The reality is, from the time we are born again, we begin a learning curve that takes place through what the bible calls “the renewing of our mind.”

Over time, we replace old patterns of thinking with kingdom truth.  But even spiritually mature believers are apt to hold old patterns of thinking without being aware of them.  Typically, under certain circumstances, these old patterns will be triggered.  This is what the bible calls strongholds or fortresses.

Neuroscientists tell us that from the time we are born, we begin to build neuro pathways in our brains. Our brain physically builds pathways based on both negative and positive triggers, negative paths, and positive paths.

When you experience pain, emotional stress, or any other reoccurring trauma, you reach for the coping mechanism that your brain uses to make you “feel normal” again. Over time, these choices create a powerful pathway. Examples of coping are control, pleasure, anger, and avoidance, just to name a few. These pathways become strongholds, footholds, and inner vows.

The following scripture is one of the most powerful passages God has given us. 

“And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

After establishing that the fight is real, FM Class helps participants identify “strongholds (both good and bad)” and “false beliefs” that have been ingrained in their hearts and minds.

Next, we dive into the psychology of the “limbic” system of the brain and how that affects our life choices and even the addictions we have fought against for so long.

Finally, we take time to tear down the negative strongholds, uphold the Godly strongholds, and replace the limbic lies and false beliefs with the truth.

The Battle for your mind is a daily choice. I’ve learned that I must make that choice the moment I am conscious in the morning. The very first thing I do is begin a conversation with God, or worship, or pray in the Spirit. These choices determine the outcome of my day AND how the battle will go.

To support the idea of feeding the mind of the Spirit, see Romans 8:5: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

The battle for your mind begins with where you set your mind!