May Word of the Month Study: 4 Enemies of Belief

What you see can sabotage what you believe.

When you are standing in faith for something God has promised—whether it’s healing, breakthrough, restoration, or provision—your natural eyes can become your worst enemy. Why?

Because faith doesn't walk by sight.

When you see bills stacking up, relationships falling apart, or the opposite of what you are praying for unfolding, it is easy to start questioning what God said. But real belief is rooted in what God spoke, not what you see.

Faith requires spiritual vision that overrides physical circumstances. The enemy will use your eyes to stir up fear, doubt, and discouragement—but God's Word invites us to see with heaven's perspective.

Where do we see this in the Word? 

2 Corinthians 5:7 – "For we live by faith, not by sight."

Romans 4:18 – "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations..."

Hebrews 11:1 – "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Where do we see this in action?

Abraham had every reason to give up. He was old. Sarah was barren. There was no logical reason to believe they'd have a child. But he chose to believe anyway. Even when his eyes told him it was impossible, his faith said, God is still able. He didn’t let what he saw cancel what God said—and because of that, we call him the father of faith.

Things to think on this week: 
(Be honest! Write it down and surrender it in prayer.)

What situations in your life right now look the opposite of what you are believing God for? 

Have you ever let what you see in the natural convince you that God's promise wasn't coming? What was the outcome, and how can you choose differently this time?

What would it look like to trust God's Word more than your own eyes this week? Is there a step of faith that you have been hesitant to take because it doesn't "look" promising? 

How does Abraham story challenge or encourage your perspective today? Write a personal takeaway that you want to carry into your week. 

Week three is HARD. We know what our faith says, but our flesh needs an intervention!

Sometimes, the biggest enemy to our belief isn’t external—it’s what’s happening in our own bodies. You can be praying for healing while your body still aches. You can cry out for freedom while your cravings scream louder.

Our flesh has a way of making the promises of God feel far away. When we rely on our physical condition to validate what God is doing, discouragement creeps in. But God doesn't need your body to feel better before He begins to move. Faith often requires holding on even when your body is breaking down or your habits haven’t shifted yet. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh—oh, it's weak. That’s why Scripture teaches us not to be led by the flesh, but to walk by the Spirit.

What is happening in your flesh is not the final word.

You know me. Let's take it to the Word:

• Galatians 5:17 – "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit... They are in conflict with each other."

• Romans 8:13 – "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."

• 2 Corinthians 4:16 – "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

Our Biblical example: You can't get anymore opposite of faith than Lazarus. He was ALL THE WAY DEAD. His flesh did NOT line up with the Word over him, but when the Word (Jesus!) showed up and spoke life, Lazarus rose from the dead!! If this doesn't make your spirit jump, I don't know what will! God is faithful!

You know I'm going to pose some tough questions. This week, focus and pray into these questions and get to the bottom of how to get your flesh in line with your faith.

1. Where have you been discouraged because your body or behavior hasn't aligned with your prayers yet?
   (Name it. Be honest. God can handle it.)

2. How has your flesh been trying to convince you that God’s not working?
   (Is it pain, addiction, weakness, or weariness?)

3. What would it look like to believe God’s power is present even when your body says otherwise?
   (How can you lean into grace instead of frustration this week?)

4. How does Lazarus' testimony help you see your struggle in a new light?
   (Write a declaration of belief that you can speak over your body and habits.)

Sometimes the hardest fight for your faith doesn’t come from the devil directly—it comes through people.

People you love. People who mean well. People who doubt you, discourage you, or distract you. When you’re believing for something big, the wrong voices around you can shake your confidence. Even Satan himself used people—like Peter trying to talk Jesus out of the cross—to come against the will of God.

People may project their fear onto your faith. They may challenge what God told you. They might make you second-guess what you were sure about. That’s why discernment is crucial in a season of belief.

Hear me and hear me well:

Some people need to be loved from a distance when you’re contending for something. And sometimes, the voice you need to silence isn’t the enemy—it’s your inner circle.

The devil is a guarantee. Causing you to doubt God is his only job. The hard part is realizing that, intentionally or not, the humans around you could be enemies of your faith as well.

Including those you love. No one is exempt.

Let us go to the Word:

• Matthew 16:23 – "Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me...’"

• Galatians 1:10 – "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?... If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

• Job 2:9-10 – "His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman.’"
  
  

Job lost everything—and to make it worse, the people closest to him gave the worst advice. His wife told him to give up on God. His friends assumed he did something wrong. But Job clung to what he knew about God's character, not what people said. His story reminds us: even when people misunderstand you, your faith can still stand.

Questions for this week. Keep it VERY REAL with yourself and with the Lord. Ask Him to show you who is around you that is coming against your faith and for direction on how to handle it.

God is faithful.

1. Who in your life has unknowingly made it harder for you to believe?
   (Not for blame—but for awareness and boundaries.)

2. Have you ever adjusted your faith walk to avoid criticism, judgment, or doubt from others?
   (How did that affect your belief?)

3. What would it look like to prioritize God's voice above all others this week?
   (Is there a boundary or affirmation you need to set?)

4. How does Job’s story encourage you to keep believing, even when people don’t get it?
   (Write a declaration that you will stand strong—regardless of who agrees with you.)