GRACE FOR LIVING DEVOTIONAL: A THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION

SEEKING THE KNOWLEDGE THAT PROFITS

MESSAGE BY: FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH IN NIGERIA

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 10–12; LUKE 19:29–48

FIRE SCRIPTURE: JOHN 4:7–20, 23–26

KEY VERSE: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” — (PHILIPPIANS 3:10)

I. THE CRISIS OF SECOND-HAND RELIGION

As we embrace this Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Holy Spirit confronts us with a vital question regarding the depth of our spiritual roots. We live in an information age where “knowledge” is at our fingertips, yet “revelation” seems increasingly scarce. The dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well serves as a profound case study in the danger of religious practice without personal knowledge of God.

The woman’s argument was based on heritage and “what people say.” She remarked, “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship” (John 4:20). Her spiritual identity was tied to a geography of tradition rather than a theology of Truth. She was practicing a version of faith passed down through the distorted lens of history—specifically the rebellion of Jeroboam, who led Israel astray by creating alternate centers of worship (1 Kings 12:26–33).

II. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INFORMATION AND INTIMACY

Like this woman, many contemporary believers rely solely on human teachings, podcasts, and social media snippets rather than seeking God directly through His Word.

1. The Trap of “They Say”

When we rely on “what they say” about God, we are living on “second-hand” smoke. The Samaritan woman was technically religious, but she was functionally ignorant. She knew the where of worship but didn’t know the Who. Jesus corrected her, noting that God’s true dwelling place is not a physical mountain, but the heart of the believer who worships in spirit and in truth.

2. The Command to Search

God’s truth is not a hidden secret intended for an elite few; it is a treasure buried in the field of the Word, waiting for the diligent to dig it out. Deuteronomy 12:5 reminds us that we must seek the place where the Lord chooses to put His name. If we do not search the Scriptures for ourselves, we are vulnerable to the “traditions of men” that make the Word of God of no effect.

III. THE ASPIRATION OF THE GIANTS: “THAT I MAY KNOW HIM”

It is staggering to realize that the greatest giants of faith—men who had seen God’s glory firsthand—were the ones who hungered for Him the most.

Moses: Despite seeing the burning bush, the ten plagues, and the divided Red Sea, Moses’ deepest cry was, “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee” (Exodus 33:13).

Paul: After decades of ministry, having visited the third heaven and written a large portion of the New Testament, Paul’s singular obsession remained, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10).

If these spiritual heavyweights felt they had not yet “arrived” in their knowledge of God, how much more should we reject the complacency of our limited understanding? To grow complacent in our knowledge is to stagnate in our spirit.

IV. THE BEREAN STANDARD: VERIFYING VITAL TRUTH

The devotional points us to the Bereans in Acts 17:11. They were called “more noble” than those in Thessalonica. Why? Because they didn’t just accept Paul’s preaching blindly. They “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” In 2026, where “fake news” and “doctrinal drift” are prevalent, the Berean standard is our only safeguard. Profitable knowledge is that which is verified by the Word of God. A sermon is only as good as its alignment with the Bible. A prophecy is only as true as its agreement with the Spirit of Truth.

V. COMPREHENSIVE Q&A: CULTIVATING PROFITABLE KNOWLEDGE

Q1: What is ‘Knowledge that Profits’ versus ‘Knowledge that Puffs up’?

Answer: Knowledge that “puffs up” (1 Corinthians 8:1) is academic and prideful; it is used to win arguments. Knowledge that “profits” is transformational; it changes your character, deepens your peace, and empowers you to walk in the miraculous. Profitable knowledge leads to intimacy, not just intellect.

Q2: I find the Bible difficult to understand on my own. How do I start?

Answer: Start with the “Author.” Before you open the Word, pray: “Holy Spirit, teach me.” The Samaritan woman moved from ignorance to faith because she stayed in conversation with Jesus. As you read, ask the Spirit to highlight one truth you can apply today.

Q3: Is ‘Worshipping in Spirit and Truth’ more important than going to Church?

Answer: It is the reason we go to church. As the Key Verse suggests, the goal is “conformability” to His death and resurrection. Worshipping in Spirit and Truth means your heart is engaged regardless of the building, but the Word also warns us not to forsake the gathering of believers. True knowledge leads to a desire for the “dwelling place” of God among His people.

VI. THE 2026 PROPHETIC CHALLENGE: THE SEARCH FOR REALITY

In this current year 2026, we see a global “thirst” for reality. People are tired of religious “shows.” The world is looking for a people who actually know their God. Daniel 11:32 declares, “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

• Exploits in your career.

• Exploits in your health.

• Exploits in your family.

All these flow from the fountain of knowing Him. Do not settle for the “Jacob’s Well” of your ancestors’ faith; meet the “Living Water” for yourself.

VII. REFLECTION & PROPHETIC ALIGNMENT

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

If I were asked to describe Jesus based solely on my personal experience this week—not on what my pastor said or what a book told me—how much could I say?

ACTION POINT:

Search the Script: Pick one topic you’ve always heard “tradition” speak on (e.g., healing, tithing, the Holy Spirit) and find three scriptures that speak directly to it today.

Berean Check: Review your notes from last Sunday’s sermon and verify them against the Bible.

Personal Cry: Make Philippians 3:10 your personal anthem today. Say it out loud: “That I may know Him!”

PRAYER:

O Lord, I repent for the times I have been satisfied with the knowledge of others. I refuse to be a spiritual parasite. Please, help me to know You today and always. Open the eyes of my understanding that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law. Grant me the grace to grow in Your will and Your ways. I want to know the power of Your resurrection in my life, in the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

PROPHETIC DECREE:

I decree today that the veil of “religious ignorance” is torn away from your eyes! I command a fresh hunger for the Word to consume your heart. You shall no longer be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. I decree that as you seek Him, you shall find Him, and the “Knowledge that Profits” shall distinguish you in your workplace and your community. In this season, you are moving from “Jacob’s Well” to the “Rivers of Living Water,” in Jesus’ Name!