In some cases the difference in meaning that different word order ensures is very subtle and many native speakers don't even notice it consciously (that's why it can be hard to explain). But sometimes it's rather straightforward.

For example:
Мой брат съел яблоко.
Яблоко съел мой брат.
Мой брат яблоко съел.

All of them mean "My brother ate an/the apple". Different word order does not change the meaning, but it changes what we can read between the lines, the things that are hinted at or implied.

Мой брат съел яблоко - My brother ate an apple (not a pear or anything else).
Яблоко съел мой брат - It's my brother who ate an apple (not my sister or my friend)
Мой брат яблоко съел - My brother ate an apple (he ate it, he did not throw it out or gave away).

But I think you should not be too worried about "wrong" word order if you are a beginner. While speaking you can always "correct" it (so to speak) empasizing important parts of the sentence with your voice.