How Do You Break A Stronghold in Your Mind?

The battle for any believer isn’t fought with swords or spears—it’s fought in the mind. As human beings, we are made up of a soul, a body, and a spirit. Your soul consists of your intellect, will, and emotions. Before salvation, you are considered spiritually dead—not alive to God. However, once you are born again, Scripture says you are made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:4). At that moment, the Holy Spirit comes to live in your spirit as a mark of ownership, signifying that you belong to God (Ephesians 1:14).

Are you with me so far?

Here’s the challenge: Even after salvation, your soul remains the same. That’s why Romans 12:2 commands us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Your mind—especially your subconscious—acts as a vast, unorganized database of information collected since birth. It shapes your beliefs, behaviors, and reactions to life.

Do you ever feel stuck? Do you step out in faith, only to be paralyzed by fear and doubt? Are you still bound by your past?

If so, the issue lies in mental strongholds.

What Are Strongholds?

A stronghold is a web of lies woven so deeply into your subconscious that you begin to accept it as truth. Over time, these lies form an impenetrable fortress in your mind, preventing you from moving forward. Strongholds can stem from shame, rejection, fear, unworthiness, or a deep sense of being unloved.

For example, consider someone who struggles with sexual promiscuity. No matter how hard they try, they feel powerless over their desires. The root issue may not be lust—it could be a deep-seated belief that they are unloved. Perhaps in childhood, they were told they were unworthy, or they experienced something that made them feel rejected. As life goes on, failed relationships reinforce this lie, cementing it as “truth” in their mind. At this point, a stronghold is fully established.

Strongholds often begin in childhood, when we lack the ability to understand or express our emotions fully. The enemy takes advantage of this vulnerability, planting lies of rejection, shame, and unworthiness. If left unchecked, these lies shape our identity. If shame is your stronghold, you may walk, talk, and live as if shame defines you. Strongholds fuel addictions and destructive behaviors.

How Do You Break Free?

Unlike demons, strongholds cannot be cast out—they must be demolished with the truth of God’s Word. John 8:32 tells us, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Notice that Jesus doesn’t say to cast out strongholds—He says that knowing the truth is what destroys them.

To break free, you need the Holy Spirit’s healing power. He reveals the lies buried in your subconscious. Once a lie is exposed, it must be replaced with God’s truth.

For example:

• If you struggle with shame, replace it with the truth that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• If you feel unworthy, remind yourself that you are loved and accepted by God in Christ (Ephesians 1:6).

The battle is won in the mind—by renewing it with God’s truth.

If you want to learn more about demolishing strongholds, keep an eye out for my book, It’s Not My Thing. I dedicate an entire chapter to breaking free from mental strongholds!