Does temptation to sin begin in the mind, and is so is that where the battle is either won or lost?

Ooh, interesting question. Yes, the battle starts in the mind with temptation. We begin to covet what we see. If we can win in the mind, there is no sin. Now, I know some will quote Matthew 5:27-28. But they confuse temptation with sin.

Understand there are mortal sins and venial sins. All are sins, mind you, but a venial sin is a, well, lesser sin (so to speak) that does not result in a complete separation from God and eternal damnation in Hell, as an unrepented mortal sin would. A venial sin consists of acting as one should not, without the actual incompatibility with the state of grace that a mortal sin implies; they do not break one's friendship with God, but injure it. A venial sin is one "without the person's full knowledge or without complete consent" Obsessive/Compulsive behavior can be mortal or venial, same with immorality. Masturbation might be considered venial, but pedophilia or rape (both obsessive/compulsive disorders) mortal, in addition to being illegal.

OCD consists of two parts: the mental obsession, and the compulsive behavior. For many many people there is no battle at all. The jump from obsession (thinking about it) to the compulsion (acting on it) can be measured in microseconds, and often results in moral turpitude and even mortal sin.

Temptation is not sin. A temptation might be like if you are given $100 too much when you cash your check, and you think about keeping it. You don't of course. That is temptation, not sin. On the other hand if you conjure up a scheme to kill your neighbor and steal his wife; well that's different.

yes WE CAN ASK GOD FOR STRENGTH EACH DAY....SEE LORDS PRAYER MATTHEW SIX AND ADD your own thoughts.

Yes, it does begin in the mind, with our thoughts. If we keep thinking about certain things that we shouldn't, we are likely to eventually act on those feelings. On the other hand, if we stop these thoughts, and focus on something else, we are likely not to follow that wrong course.
The Bible highlights this fact when Jesus warns for a man not to keep looking at a woman who he is not married to in a passionate way...that he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. This shows clearly that our thoughts are directly connected with our actions.
Matthew 5:28 - "But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Matthew 15:19 - "For example, out of the heart come wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies."

The "battle" is won when we remain loyal to God.

Yes. The mind is negative in nature. It only seeks to entertain what is wrong no matter what. It is up to you take take control of your own mind. To do this is the purpose of all humanity. It is only when you defeat the mind that you will be able to concentrate on God and become liberated. Meditation helps one to silence the mind and keep it always focused on God.

Actually temptation begins with the eyes and then the mind. After seeing and thinking about it, the urge to commit the crime intensifies until the action takes place. We must guard our eyes as did Job. "I have made a covenant with my eyes. So how could I show improper attention to a virgin." (Job 31:1) Jesus spoke also concerning the eyes. He said to his followers: "You heard that it was said: 'You must not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27+28) There is sex in the cities and in the country because of the way girls and women dress. Our children are bombarded with sex in front of them all the time. The clothes women wear draw eyes, even from other women. How do you tell a woman from a man when they are walking down the street? The men wear clothes so big they look like they could fall off and the women wear clothes so tight you can't see how they could get them on." The Bible tells us to be "modest" in our dress. People in the world today know nothing about modesty. I invite you to learn more about what the Bible teaches from the international website, jw.org and Bible Teachings > Bible Questions Answered. See About Us > Activities and Conventions. Jehovah's Witnesses stand out even because of the way they dress. We are preaching the good news of God's Kingdom in 240 countries and more than 10 million people of all nationalities, religious backgrounds and cultures are studying the Bible. I invite you to watch videos such as: Does God have a Name? (Genesis 22:14; Exodus 6:3; Judges 6:24 and Psalms 83:18) What is God's Kingdom? (Daniel 2:44; John 18:36 and Revelation 11:15) Why did God Create the Earth? (Genesis 1:20-30; Psalms 115:16 and Matthew 5:5) Why did Jesus Die? (John 3:16+17; Romans 5:8-11 and 1John 4:10) and Why Study the Bible? (Psalms 1:1-3; Isaiah 48:17+18 and 2Timothy 3:16+17) If you believe what you learned, you can request your free personal Bible study online or from the next witness who knocks on your door or by visiting your neighborhood Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Thank you very much for this question.

Partly.....

If you already know God, through Jesus Christ, as in born again, John 3:3,3:36 Do this….
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Galatians 5:16
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

This is how you walk in the Spirit.....

James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

If you do not yet know God, do this just as you are, without pretense, in truth and He will help, but first know this…
Rom 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Rom 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 10:9-11
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Pray this...
Father, I accept your gift of forgiveness for all my sins because of what Jesus has done for me.
Help me in my time of need and show me the way I should go, and to turn away from my sins and trust
in you. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

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.

You are no longer a slave to fear, but are a child of God.

Colossians 1:13
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Yes

Temptation begins with an external stimuli your eyes look at something and you desire it after that this is where your training kicks in if you are trained to analyze things in the light of God's word you have a decent chance of doing the right thing each and every time but if you have been trained by society and peer pressure to go ahead and do whatever you feel like when you feel like doing it you're going to give in to whatever the Temptation happens

it be and then you're going to reap the consequences of whatever you did

Sin is as much in the thought as in the act which consummates it.

Sin doesn't exist, its a religious concept used to keep the sheep in line.

Sin is just an imaginary disease invented to sell you an imaginary cure. Grow up and live in reality.