"Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church" (I Cor. 14:12).

"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church" (I Cor. 14:26). That scripture doesn't necessarily mean that all the gifts have to operate in every service for the church to be strengthened. Instead it means that when and if the gifts are used, they should be used for the purpose of strengthening the church and not some ulterior motive.

The prophet is anointed by God as a servant. Since every gift of the Spirit is intended for the edification of the body, and not for the glorification of the flesh, the prophet must be wary not to abuse the gift.

"The fact that God allows us to be used by the Spirit in the exercise of some spiritual gift or the performance of some special ministry should never become a source of pride and seeking of glory for oneself. The manifestation of a spiritual gift through an individual does not mean that person is spiritually superior to other Christians. By the manifestation of spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit seeks to bring all believers to maturity and completion in Christ. Therefore the spectacular gifts which attract attention and appeal to curiosity are not necessarily the ones most needed by the church. We should earnestly desire to see manifest gifts that are most needed by the church at any given time. Only God knows what is the best gift in every situation to bring edification" (Discipleship: How to Live the Christlife Workbook. Carey and Stone. Cleveland: Pathway Press, 1989. 155).

Having been used by the Holy Spirit to operate in this gift, I would offer the following for your consideration:

1. The Holy Spirit is not a gossip. He may prophesy through you to direct a course, but it will not be for the purpose of the public downfall of another. Remember when Nathan went to David. It was not to destroy David, but to turn him around, and it was not with a purpose for which God had not already approached David.
 
2.  Prophecy from God will never be inconsistent with or contrary to scripture. A house divided against itself will fall.

3.  Test the spirit before going to someone, if only in a brief moment of prayer. So many people have been hurt because a well-meaning prophet went to them in the flesh, saying words they wanted so badly to be true, but not the words of the Holy Spirit. If you sincerely ask Him to keep you silent if the words are not from Him, He'll do it. Remember the problems in the Corinthian church.

4.  If the Holy Spirit is truly sending you, don't be afraid--no matter who He's sending you to speak to. Remember Moses!

5.  Stay humble! You're probably not going to be right 100% of the time. Being used as a prophet does not make one less a human being.  You are only a vessel for His service, but you willingly become a vessel for public scrutiny. Not everything you say, even if from the Lord, will be revealed immediately. Remember Isaiah and all those who prophesied about the coming of Messiah.

A final admonition: It is possible to manipulate people who trust your words to be from God. Manipulation is never God's purpose for you. I've heard it taught that "manipulation is modern-day witchcraft."

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (I Peter 1:20-21).

Heavenly Father, bless those vessels You have called to be prophets in Your Kingdom. Keep our vision true and our motives pure, in Jesus' Name. Amen