Conquest the mind

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📖 THE CONQUEST OF THE MIND – COMPLETE DETAILED SUMMARY (FROM THE BOOK ITSELF)

INTRODUCTION

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

When we were born again, only our spirits were born anew, recreated in the image of God, and filled with the life and nature of God.
Our minds and bodies were not born again.

God did not change the soul or the body.

If what is in the spirit must be seen on the outside, then:

The soul (mind, will, and emotions) needs to be renewed.
The body (flesh) needs to be crucified.

God has placed on us the responsibility of renewing the mind and crucifying the flesh, through the Word and by the Holy Spirit.

This study focuses entirely on the mind—what needs to be done and how to do it.

CHAPTER 2 – THE MIND: A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

2.1 DEFINING THE MIND

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Soul = Greek “psuche”
Spirit = Greek “pneuma”

The soul is the organ of human cognition; the mind, will, and emotions.
The mind refers to the functions of the brain—thought, reason, intelligence, emotion, memory.

2.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MIND

Our thoughts determine our actions.
Actions develop into behavior.
Behavior forms our lifestyle.
Thoughts affect emotions, and emotions affect our spiritual, mental, and physical states.
Imaginations can either energize or impair us.
Mental faculties—ability to learn, understand, concentrate, imagine, remember, reason—are very important.
What is in our spirits is normally released through our souls and bodies.
God uses our mental faculties in His process of communication—thoughts, ideas, pictures, visions, dreams.

2.3 PROBLEM AREAS OF THE MIND

Many sincere believers:

have uncontrolled tempers,
cannot overcome certain sins,
struggle with addictions and bondages,

… and many problems are primarily connected with the mind:

Fear of people, situations, even non-existent things
Lack of concentration, wandering mind
Confusion, double-mindedness, irresolution
Poor self-image, low self-esteem
Denial
Deceptions and false reasoning
Strongholds
Diseases of the mind such as depression, mania, schizophrenia

Action Point: Write down the three biggest problems you face with your mind.

2.4 THREE CONDITIONS OF THE MIND

Natural Mind

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Natural human understanding cannot perceive spiritual truths.
The natural man living by his natural mind:
- does not allow the things of the Spirit into his heart (he considers them foolish),
- is unable to know the things of the Spirit (because they must be spiritually discerned).

Spiritually discerned = examined, investigated, inquired into with the help of the Spirit.

Carnal Mind

Romans 8:5–7
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Flesh refers to natural appetites, passions, desires of the body.
Carnal mind focuses on the things of the flesh.
It brings death, enmity against God, inability to please God.

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 describes believers who are carnal—babes in Christ who cannot receive solid food of the Word.

Carnal mind leads to envy, strife, divisions, behaving like “mere men” instead of people of God.

Renewed Mind (Spiritual Mind)

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

Transformed = Greek metamorphoo (metamorphosis).
Renewing = renovation, reformation of the mind.
Renewed mind is equivalent to spiritual mind—able to discern and walk in God’s will.

Action Point: Assess yourself and write what percent of the time you operate out of a natural, carnal, or renewed mind.

CHAPTER 3 – THE MIND: A BATTLEFIELD

1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.

Yielding to fleshly desires troubles the soul—the mind, will, emotions.

Example: Wrong habits weaken a person’s ability to concentrate, or to engage in deep thought.
Sinful lifestyle patterns open doors to wicked spirits that can harass or gain control over parts of the soul.

THE PROCESS OF TEMPTATION (James 1:13–16)

Drawn away by own desires.
Enticed—Greek word = “to entrap.” Wills are weakened.
When desire conceives, it gives birth to sin.
Sin, when full-grown, brings forth death.

Key: Wrong desires being aroused are NOT sin. Yielding to them is sin.

Many Christians condemn themselves unnecessarily just because a wrong thought appeared.
Having a bad thought is not sin; only dwelling or acting on it is sin.

EXPOSING SATAN’S TACTICS

Deceptions

2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Satan seduces and corrupts minds, making lies appear as truth.
He is the father of lies (John 8:44).

Accusations

Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10).
Believers often suffer poor spiritual self-image, feeling unworthy and condemned.
They accept accusations in their mind, leading to weakness, self-pity, repetitive guilt.

Temptations

1 Thessalonians 3:5 – Satan is called “the tempter.”
Matthew 4:3 – He tempted Jesus to turn stones to bread.

Satan tries to seduce and draw believers away from God’s standard into sin.

UNDERSTANDING HOW THE ENEMY TEMPTS US

2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Devices = Greek noema = perception, intellect, thought, scheming of the mind.

Satan’s schemes are mind games.
Jesus was tempted in all areas like we are (Hebrews 4:15).

In Luke 4:1–13, the devil tempted Jesus using imagination—showing Him all kingdoms “in a moment of time.”
He also took Him to the pinnacle of the temple—again through imagination.

So Satan intercepts our thought process with thoughts, ideas, suggestions, pictures, imaginations.

Having a thought is not sin; thinking evil or acting on it is.
We cannot prevent these thoughts from coming, but we can prevent them from staying.

THREE REALMS OF DESIRE

Genesis 3:6 – Eve saw the tree was good for food, pleasant to eyes, desirable to make one wise.
1 John 2:16 – Lust of flesh, lust of eyes, pride of life.

Lust of Flesh – sensual cravings not permitted by God.
Lust of Eyes – mental pleasure of looking, desiring visually.
Pride of Life – vain glory, independence from God.

Action Point: Self-evaluate susceptibility in these three realms.

FORMATION OF STRONGHOLDS (2 Corinthians 10:3–6)

A thought
Develops into argument/reasoning against God’s Word
Grows into imagination where you see yourself doing it
Becomes repeated focus, habit → stronghold

Stronghold = a “house” made of thoughts, reasonings, imaginations occupied by the enemy.

Example given: a young man begins to reason it’s fine to drink wine → imagines himself doing it → starts doing it occasionally → becomes habit → becomes bondage.

DANGEROUS PROGRESSION

Deception → arguments against God’s Word.
Depression → gloom, sadness.
Oppression → compulsive thoughts, feelings.
Obsession → fixed unhealthy focus.
Possession → enemy takes control.

WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE (2 Cor. 10:4)

Take every thought captive.
Cast down arguments and imaginations.
Pull down strongholds.

Weapons include:

Spoken Word of God (Matt. 4:1–11)
Name of Jesus (Mark 16:17)
Blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11)
High praises of God (Psalm 149:6–7)

When evil thoughts come, counter them with the Word.

HELMET OF SALVATION (Eph. 6:13–17)

Protects the mind.
Aligns thoughts, reasoning, imagination to completed salvation.
Understand salvation, be convinced of it, think in agreement with it.

TAKING CONTROL OF THE MIND

1 Peter 1:13 – Gird up the loins of your mind.

Your mind belongs to you.
Decide what thoughts will stay.
Avoid passivity; an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

FIGHTING FLESHLY LUSTS

Galatians 5:24 – crucify the flesh with passions and desires.
Romans 8:13 – by the Spirit put to death deeds of the body.

Whatever you feed grows. Whatever you starve dies.

FIGHTING FIERY DARTS

Evaluate every thought by Scripture.
Speak the Word into your own mind.
For every negative thought you may need ten positive Scriptures.
Paint new pictures in your mind based on God’s Word.

WORDS PEOPLE SPEAK

Words can bless or hurt the soul.
Counter negative words with what God says about you.

OVERCOMING ANXIETY

Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect peace for the mind stayed on God.
Philippians 4:6–7 – Prayer replaces anxiety with peace.

Through prayer we exchange worries for God’s peace that guards our hearts and minds.

PULLING DOWN STRONGHOLDS – STEPS

Repent (change your thinking).
Submit the area to God (James 4:7).
Reject demonic spirits.
Renounce every activity that opened the door.
Remove bricks of thoughts with the hammer of God’s Word (Jer. 23:29).

This continues through Renewing the Mind, Developing Positive Attitude, Balance of Spirit and Soul, with equal detailed teaching.

Understood. Now I continue with the next major section of the book, keeping the same style—verbatim-like detailed summary in English, covering Renewing Your Mind, Developing Positive Mental Attitude, and Balance of Spirit and Soul.

CHAPTER 4 – RENEWING YOUR MIND

Before we can talk about transformation, we must understand the condition of the mind before being born again, what renewal means, and how the Word affects the mind.

4.1 CONDITION OF OUR MINDS BEFORE WE WERE BORN AGAIN

Before Christ:

Blinded minds

2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4
Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ should shine on them.

The god of this age blinds unbelieving minds, preventing them from seeing the gospel.

Unclean and corrupt

Ephesians 2:1–3
You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.

Vain

Ephesians 4:17
You should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.

Carnal

Romans 8:5–8 – To be carnally minded is death.

Enemies in the mind

Colossians 1:21
You were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.

Reprobate mind

Romans 1:28
They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a debased mind to do things which are not fitting.

Earthly-minded

Philippians 3:19
Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

Vainly puffed up

Colossians 2:18
Intruding into things not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.

Defiled mind

Titus 1:15
To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Even after being born again, a believer may still carry remnants of these old mind conditions unless renewal happens.

4.2 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO RENEW OUR MINDS?

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Renew = renovation, reformation of your intellect and understanding (Greek nous).

Ephesians 4:22–24
Put off the old man… be renewed in the spirit of your mind… put on the new man created according to God in righteousness and holiness.

Be renewed in the attitude of your minds.

Isaiah 55:7–9
Let the wicked forsake his way and his thoughts… My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways… as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

So renewing means discarding carnal, earthly, corrupted thoughts and adopting God’s higher thoughts and ways.

Hebrews 10:15–16
I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them.

God wants His Word written on our thoughts and imaginations.

Renewing the mind is:

Ongoing – not a one-time event.
Sustained over time.
Not just knowing Scripture, but living transformed behavior.

You can know verses yet still think like the world. True renewal is proven by transformed lifestyle.

4.3 THE EFFECT OF THE WORD ON OUR MINDS

Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word:

Judges and evaluates thoughts, imaginations.
Must be the standard to weigh every reasoning.

James 1:21
Receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.

Implanted Word delivers, protects, heals, makes whole the soul (mind, will, emotions).

John 15:3 – You are already clean because of the Word.
John 17:17 – Sanctify them by Your truth; Your Word is truth.
Ephesians 5:26 – Washing of water by the Word.

So the Word has a washing and cleansing effect on our mental patterns.

1 Peter 1:22 – Purified your souls in obeying the truth.
2 Peter 3:1 – Stir up your pure minds by way of reminder.

Meditation and obedience to truth result in pure minds—where Satan’s thoughts cannot find residence.

4.4 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RENEW OUR MINDS?

To love and worship God fully

Mark 12:29–31 – Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

To live a transformed life

Romans 12:1–2 – Present your bodies as living sacrifice, be transformed by renewing your mind.

When your mind is renewed:

Thought patterns change.
Emotions align with truth.
Reactions and lifestyle reflect Christ.

To understand and prove God’s will

Ephesians 5:10,17 – Find out what is acceptable to the Lord, understand His will.

To discern good and evil

Hebrews 5:13–14 – By reason of use, senses trained to discern both good and evil.

To understand the Word

Matthew 13:23 – He who hears the Word and understands it bears fruit.
Acts 17:11 – Bereans searched Scriptures daily.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Rightly dividing the Word of truth.

To maintain a true self-image in Christ

The Bible is like a mirror showing who you are (James 1:22–24).

To discern the leading and voice of the Spirit

John 16:13–15 – The Spirit will guide you into all truth.
Romans 8:14–16 – Spirit bears witness with our spirit.

A renewed mind can distinguish between Spirit’s voice and emotions.

To keep from being corrupted

2 Corinthians 11:3 – Minds corrupted from simplicity in Christ.
1 Timothy 6:5 – Men of corrupt minds.
2 Timothy 3:8 – Resisting truth, corrupt minds.

Renewal protects your mind from wrong teaching, wrong influences.

4.5 THE PROCESS OF LEARNING

Renewal involves a process:

Understanding
Experience
Repetition
Observation
Reflection or analysis
Concentration

We must use the learning process to assimilate the Word deeply.

4.6 MEDITATION IN GOD’S WORD

Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night… then you will make your way prosperous.

Psalm 1:3 – Meditating makes you like a fruitful tree.

Meditation =

Contemplation (deep thinking)
Visualization (seeing it)
Confession (speaking it)

Not casual reading, but intentional dwelling on Scripture.

4.7 DISCIPLINE OF MEMORIZATION

Psalm 119:9 – How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word.

Memorization hides the Word in your heart so it guides you anytime.

Practical tips:

Write verses on cards, review daily.
Use notes or sticky reminders.
Revisit the same verses regularly.

4.8 REPAINTING OUR PORTRAITS

Renewal involves painting a fresh portrait of yourself based on God’s Word.

James 1:22–24 – Don’t forget what kind of man you are after looking in the Word mirror.
Philemon 1:6 – Acknowledge every good thing in you in Christ.

4.9 DEALING WITH NEGATIVES OF THE PAST

Past memories (trauma, abuse, betrayal) remain in the subconscious. If unresolved, they affect the present.

Suppression is not healing. You must erase or redeem those wounds.

Ministers must be healed lest they preach from their wounds and transfer negativity to others.

Examples:

Jacob & Esau – God changed Jacob’s name before facing his past (Genesis 32).
Joseph & brothers – God made him forget toil (Manasseh) and fruitful in affliction (Ephraim). He forgave his brothers (Genesis 50:18–21).

Psalm 23:3 – He restores my soul.

Steps:

See past from your new identity in Christ.
See past from grace—you’re forgiven.
Forgive and honor those who hurt you.
Pray in tongues for inner healing.
Look ahead, reject negative emotions.

4.10 TEARING DOWN WRONG MINDSETS

Mindsets = habitual ways of thinking blocking freedom.

Religious traditions
Prejudices
Preconceived ideas

Face truth and choose to discard them.

4.11 GARRISONING OUR MINDS

Protect the mind by:

Guarding against denial—see objectively.
Guarding against self-deception.
Guarding against soulish attachments.
Guarding against emotional adultery (mental fantasies).

4.12 A NEW FRAME OF MIND

Colossians 3:1–2
If you were raised with Christ, seek those things above… set your mind on things above, not on earth.

Seeking = practical striving.
Setting your mind = inward disposition.
“You must not only seek heaven, you must think heaven.”

A renewed mind = new paradigm, heavenly worldview.

4.13 THE MIND OF CHRIST

Humility & obedience

Philippians 2:3–5 – Let this mind be in you as in Christ: humility, serving others.

Willingness to suffer to resist sin

1 Peter 4:1 – Arm yourself with the same mind: readiness to say NO to sinful desires.

Knowing His thoughts & purposes

1 Corinthians 2:16 – We have the mind of Christ through the Spirit’s revelation.

4.14 BEING A PEOPLE OF ONE MIND

1 Corinthians 1:10 – Be perfectly joined in same mind, same judgment.
Romans 15:6 – With one mind and one mouth glorify God.

Early church was of one accord.
Unity requires training ourselves to flow with the corporate mind God builds.

CHAPTER 5 – DEVELOPING A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

5.1 THE IMPACT OF HOW WE THINK

Proverbs 23:7 – As he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Thought → lifestyle. Where the mind goes, the man follows.

3 John 1:2 – Prosper in all things just as your soul prospers.

Warriors with a grasshopper image – Israel’s spies saw giants and saw themselves as grasshoppers, so they were defeated mentally before battle (Numbers 13–14).
Abraham saw stars – God gave visual promise to build faith (Genesis 15:5).

5.2 THINKING GOD’S WAY

God’s thinking is big, creative, organized.

Romans 4:17 – God calls things that do not exist as though they did.
Jeremiah 29:11 – God thinks peace and a hopeful future.

5.3 HOW TO DEVELOP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Proverbs 4:20–22 – Attend to God’s Word, keep it in your heart, it’s life and health.

Align thinking with God’s Word.
Align with Spirit-given visions, dreams.
Eliminate double-mindedness.

Philippians 4:8–9 – Think on things true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report.

Develop Bible-based self-image.

Romans 12:3 – Think soberly according to measure of faith.

5.4 AVOID FAINTING-MIND SYNDROME

Hebrews 12:3 – Consider Jesus lest you become weary in your soul.

Burnout is often from unresolved emotional/spiritual issues, not just busyness.

Hope is the anchor for the soul (Heb. 6:19).

CHAPTER 6 – BALANCE OF SPIRIT AND SOUL

God gave us minds to use, not neglect.
Must balance reasoning and faith.

Romans 12:1 – Reasonable service.

Faith is not irrational; it’s higher reasoning aligned with God.

Discern God’s voice vs. mere emotional impulses.

CONCLUSION

The mind is:

a battlefield where victory or defeat starts,
a gateway through which spirit life is expressed,
a tool to partner with God’s purposes.

Winning requires:

renewing daily with the Word,
casting down strongholds,
thinking God’s thoughts,
choosing unity of mind in Christ.