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# SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING: UNLOCKING THE PROFITS OF THE WORD OF GOD
A Powerful Teaching by Pst. Charles Akporhonor
Tuesday Chapel Service | Covenant University
INTRODUCTION: THE WORD OF GOD IS FOR OUR PROFITING
The Word of God is given for our profiting. This is not a matter of opinion; it is an established truth of Scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 declares that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Notice the expression:
ALL SCRIPTURE. Not some portions, not selected passages, but the entire counsel of God, from Genesis to Revelation.
The Word of God is designed to equip, establish, correct, instruct and transform the believer. It is God's provision for a life of purpose, productivity, peace and lasting success.
The question, therefore, is not whether the Word is profitable. The question is: How do we access and maximise the profits embedded in God's Word?
The answer is through spiritual understanding.
1. THE PROFITS EMBEDDED IN THE WORD OF GOD
There is nothing essential to our spiritual development and godly living that God has left entirely outside the scope of His Word. The Scriptures provide principles, instructions, wisdom and promises that guide us through the different dimensions of life.
A. Peace and Rest on Every Side
2 Peter 1:2 says:
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."
Observe that peace is multiplied through knowledge. The passage points us to the importance of knowing God.
Peace in our ministry, marriage, family, health and personal life is not merely something to wish for. We must discover and apply the wisdom of God's Word in these areas.
Many people desire peace but have not acquired the understanding required to sustain it.
The Word provides the wisdom to build peaceful relationships, manage responsibilities and navigate life's challenges.
B. Lasting and Profitable Success
Joshua 1:8 gives a divine prescription for good success:
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night..."
The instruction is clear: keep the Word continually before you, meditate upon it and observe to do what is written in it.
There are three important dimensions here:
1. **Reading:** Give the Word consistent attention.
2. **Meditation:** Reflect deeply on what God has said.
3. **Application:** Practise what the Word teaches.
The result is a prosperous way and good success.
Success in God's kingdom is not merely about acquiring wealth or achieving recognition. It involves fulfilling purpose, walking in wisdom and producing results that honour God.
C. Divine Health and Wholeness
Proverbs 4:20–22 says:
"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."
The Word must occupy a central place in our hearts.
The preacher shared a personal testimony of how his understanding of God's Word transformed his approach to health. Rather than accepting sickness as an unavoidable way of life, he learnt to stand on the promises of Scripture and cultivate a lifestyle of faith.
The lesson is that believers should develop a biblical understanding of health, exercise wisdom and take appropriate responsibility for their wellbeing.
D. Supernatural Breakthroughs
Deuteronomy 28:1–2 establishes the connection between hearing God's voice, obeying His commandments and experiencing His blessings.
The believer is called to walk in obedience and alignment with God's Word.
The Word provides principles for excellence, diligence, stewardship, leadership, relationships and advancement.
Whatever area of life requires improvement, search the Scriptures for the wisdom and principles that should guide your decisions.
E. The Word Contains the Words of Life
Acts 5:20 instructs the apostles:
"Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."
The Word of God is not an ordinary collection of religious writings. It communicates the wisdom and truth through which we understand life from God's perspective.
People often search for answers in the wrong places while neglecting the divine wisdom already available in Scripture.
There is a difference between possessing a Bible and possessing an understanding of what the Bible contains.
2. SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING: THE KEY TO ACCESSING THE PROFITS OF THE WORD
Genesis 13:14–15 records God's instruction to Abraham after Lot separated from him:
"Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art..."
God instructed Abraham to look northward, southward, eastward and westward, declaring that the land he could see would be given to him and his descendants.
This reveals an important principle: spiritual vision influences what we are able to apprehend and pursue.
In the kingdom of God, it is important to see beyond physical circumstances and understand what God has revealed through His Word.
You cannot effectively exercise faith in what you have never taken time to understand.
What you know becomes a foundation for your faith-filled response. What you do not know can leave you vulnerable to confusion, fear and deception.
Acts 8:26–39 provides another remarkable illustration. The Ethiopian eunuch was reading the prophet Isaiah, but Philip asked him whether he understood what he was reading.
His response was significant:
"How can I, except some man should guide me?"
The passage demonstrates that access to Scripture must be accompanied by understanding. Reading is important, but understanding unlocks the message.
3. KNOWLEDGE IS A PATHWAY TO FREEDOM
Hosea 4:6 declares:
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
Notice that the Scripture identifies lack of knowledge as a major problem.
A person can be prayerful and still struggle in an area where they lack the necessary understanding.
John 8:32 says:
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Freedom comes through knowing the truth.
It is not enough to hear that marriage requires commitment; one must understand how to demonstrate commitment. It is not enough to hear that diligence produces results; one must understand and practise diligence.
Knowledge must become conviction, and conviction must translate into action.
This is why believers must continually seek light in the areas where they experience challenges.
4. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP: FEEDING PEOPLE WITH KNOWLEDGE
Jeremiah 3:15 declares:
"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."
This passage establishes an important responsibility for spiritual leaders.
The assignment of a pastor or spiritual teacher is not limited to praying for people. It also involves feeding them with knowledge and understanding.
The Church must function as a place of spiritual instruction, where believers are equipped to understand Scripture, develop godly character and navigate life with wisdom.
Matthew 11:28–29 records Jesus' invitation:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... learn of me."
Notice the instruction: LEARN OF ME.
Christianity is not simply an experience of religious excitement. It is a lifelong journey of learning from Christ and becoming more like Him.
5. FIVE PATHWAYS TO SPIRITUAL REVELATION
How do we develop spiritual understanding? What are the practical pathways through which believers can grow in revelation?
PATHWAY ONE: DEVELOP AN INSATIABLE HUNGER FOR THE WORD
Isaiah 55:1–3 invites everyone who thirsts to come and receive freely.
The invitation is to seek nourishment from God.
Do not wait until a crisis occurs before you begin searching the Scriptures.
Identify the areas of your life where you need greater understanding and deliberately pursue biblical knowledge.
If you desire a peaceful marriage, study biblical principles for marriage.
If you desire to grow in leadership, study the principles of godly leadership.
If you desire financial wisdom, study biblical stewardship, diligence, generosity and contentment.
If you desire to grow spiritually, immerse yourself in the Word.
The preacher illustrated this through his personal preparation for marriage. He explained how he deliberately studied books on marriage, including materials written by his spiritual mentors, and took notes before entering marriage.
He did not wait for marital problems before acquiring marital knowledge.
The lesson is powerful:
Do not wait for a crisis before acquiring the knowledge that can help you prevent or overcome it.
PATHWAY TWO: ENGAGE THE HOLY SPIRIT AS YOUR TEACHER
1 Corinthians 2:9–10 reveals that the deep things of God are revealed to us by the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is our divine teacher and revealer.
As you study the Scriptures, invite Him to illuminate your understanding.
Do not approach Bible study merely as an academic exercise. Approach it with humility and a sincere desire to understand God's truth.
Make this a regular prayer:
"Holy Spirit, teach me. Open my understanding. Help me discover the truth of God's Word and show me how to apply it."
The Holy Spirit helps believers understand spiritual realities that cannot be fully grasped through human wisdom alone.
PATHWAY THREE: EMBARK ON A DILIGENT SEARCH THROUGH PRAYER AND FASTING
Psalm 119:18 says:
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
This should become the prayer of every serious student of Scripture.
Prayer and fasting are valuable spiritual disciplines that help believers devote themselves to seeking God.
Isaiah 58:6–11 describes the kind of fast that pleases God and highlights its spiritual and practical benefits.
The preacher also shared personal experiences of extended periods of fasting during which he sought deeper understanding of God's Word.
The point is not that fasting forces God to reveal Himself, but that believers can intentionally set themselves apart to seek Him with sincerity, discipline and devotion.
PATHWAY FOUR: GIVE YOURSELF WHOLLY TO THE STUDY OF THE WORD
1 Timothy 4:13–15 instructs Timothy to give attention to reading, exhortation and doctrine.
Paul further encourages him to meditate upon these things and give himself wholly to them so that his profiting may appear to all.
Spiritual understanding requires consistency.
You cannot build a strong spiritual foundation by treating the Word as a secondary activity.
Give attention to reading. Study deliberately. Meditate deeply. Take notes. Revisit what you have learnt.
Make the Bible your daily companion.
Nothing changes merely because time passes. Growth requires deliberate investment.
PATHWAY FIVE: PUT EVERY REVELATION INTO PRACTICE
Luke 6:46–49 teaches that hearing the words of Jesus without putting them into practice is like building a house without a proper foundation.
Knowledge without application does not produce the transformation God desires.
For example, knowing that husbands should love their wives must translate into practical love.
Knowing that forgiveness is necessary must lead to forgiving others.
Knowing that diligence is important must result in disciplined work.
Knowing that integrity matters must produce honest conduct.
The real value of revelation is demonstrated through obedience.
**You do not merely prove what you know by what you say; you demonstrate it by how you live.**
6. TWO MAJOR BENEFITS OF SPIRITUAL REVELATION
A. SANCTIFICATION
John 17:17 says:
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
John 15:3 also declares:
"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."
The Word of God sanctifies.
As believers continually receive, understand and practise the Word, their thinking, attitudes, character and conduct are progressively transformed.
The Word corrects wrong perspectives, exposes ungodly habits and establishes the believer in righteousness.
The goal is not simply to accumulate biblical information but to become increasingly conformed to the character of Christ.
B. SUPERNATURAL FAVOUR
Spiritual revelation helps believers recognise God's promises, understand divine principles and respond appropriately to opportunities.
When you understand what God has said, you develop the confidence to stand on His Word.
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 reminds us that even a person who has received abundant revelations must remain humble and dependent on God's grace.
Revelation is not an invitation to pride. It is a call to greater responsibility, obedience and dependence on God.
7. MOVE FROM HEARING TO SEEING: THE POWER OF UNDERSTANDING
Romans 10:17 says:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
There is a difference between hearing a statement and understanding its meaning.
Consider an ordinary conversation. Someone explains something to you, and after a while you respond, "I see!"
You are not referring to physical sight. You are communicating that you now understand.
That is the essence of spiritual illumination.
When the Word becomes clear to you, it moves beyond information and becomes a conviction that shapes your decisions and actions.
Isaiah 52:1 speaks of the word that Isaiah saw. This illustrates the prophetic language of perceiving and understanding divine truth.
The believer must move beyond merely hearing biblical promises to understanding their meaning and implications.
For instance, Proverbs 4:20–22 teaches that God's words are life and health to those who find them.
A believer who understands this passage can cultivate faith, wisdom and responsible practices concerning personal wellbeing.
**When you see the truth of God's Word, you gain a foundation upon which to stand.**
8. THE FOUNDATION OF SPIRITUAL ACCESS: BEING BORN AGAIN
Mark 4:11 speaks about the mysteries of the kingdom of God being given to those who follow Christ.
John 3:3–5 establishes the necessity of the new birth.
Jesus told Nicodemus that a person must be born again to see the kingdom of God.
Spiritual understanding begins with a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is through the new birth that we enter into the life of the kingdom and begin the journey of knowing God.
The invitation is therefore not simply to become more religious or acquire more biblical information. It is to surrender one's life to Christ and allow Him to become Lord and Saviour.
The Holy Spirit then guides the believer into a growing understanding of God's truth.
9. PRACTICAL CHALLENGE: BECOME A STUDENT OF THE WORD
As we reflect on this teaching, every believer must take personal responsibility for spiritual growth.
Ask yourself:
1. Which area of my life requires greater biblical understanding?
2. Am I consistently studying the Scriptures or depending entirely on what others tell me?
3. Do I invite the Holy Spirit to guide my study?
4. What biblical truths have I learnt but failed to practise?
5. Is my knowledge of the Word producing visible transformation in my character?
Do not merely attend services. Become a student of the Word.
Do not merely collect sermon notes. Meditate upon what you hear.
Do not merely admire biblical principles. Put them to work.
Do not merely pray about every challenge. Also seek the wisdom of Scripture and take appropriate action.
CONCLUSION: THE WORD YOU UNDERSTAND AND PRACTISE WILL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE
The central message of this teaching is that God's Word is profitable, but its profits are accessed through spiritual understanding.
The Word provides instruction for godly living, wisdom for decision-making, principles for relationships, direction for purpose and a foundation for faith.
However, the journey does not end with reading or hearing. It progresses through understanding, meditation, conviction and obedience.
The believer who desires lasting transformation must cultivate an enduring hunger for the Word, engage the Holy Spirit, embrace spiritual discipline and faithfully practise the truth received.
Remember:
The Word you neglect cannot guide your decisions. The truth you refuse to understand cannot shape your convictions. And the revelation you fail to practise cannot produce its intended transformation in your life.
Let us therefore become people of the Word: believers who read it, understand it, believe it, live by it and demonstrate its transforming power in every sphere of life.
PRAYER AND DECLARATIONS
Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me access to the treasures of Your Word.
Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.
Give me a fresh hunger for Your Word and the discipline to study, meditate and practise it.
Holy Spirit, illuminate my understanding. Let every area of confusion give way to divine wisdom.
May Your Word transform my thinking, strengthen my faith, establish my character and guide my decisions.
Let the profits of Your Word become evident in my life, family, ministry, career and relationships.
In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
