
The Greek word translated "war" means to "execute the apostolate." Apostolate literally means the "office of apostle." The word translated "warfare" comes from the Greek word that means "apostolic career." The word translated "thought" is the same word used in 2 Corinthians 2:11 which says, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."
The word translated devices, means a perception, or the intellect, or a device, mind, or thought. Now that.... is revealing!
The real warfare begins in our mind and in our thoughts. Second, Satan's goal is to trip up our thinking. He does this by setting traps in our thoughts and minds and God gave us the apostolic gift specifically, to help with our strategic thinking. Satan's goal is to blow up God's plans in people's lives while Jesus calls us to follow Him and Jesus' purpose is to destroy th works of the enemy (1 John 3:8).
Satan's devices are like the IED's (improvised explosive devices) used by Islamic terrorists to kill, maim and destroy using great violence or the threat of violence to intimidate and manipulate a people to comply with their wishes. Unbridled fear is a very useful tool for the devil and his children.
Paul's admonition in 2 Timothy 1:7 gives insight into how to guard against unbridled fear. He says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." God did not give us a "spirit of fear." But He has given us love perfect love which casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). He's also given us power and the ability and the choice, to develop a disciplined thought life. When we do that we can pull down strongholds, arguments and every proud that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.