“That person is really prophetic!”
What exactly does that mean?
Many people feel curious—or even confused—about what it means to be “prophetic.”
Often when someone uses the term, they’re describing a person who works in the manifestation gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12: the gift of prophecy (v.10), a word of knowledge (v.8), or a word of wisdom (v.8). These are Spirit-empowered moments where a believer communicates something they sense the Holy Spirit revealing something they would not have known on their own.
But is the prophetic just about predicting the future? Is it reserved for a few select people? And how does it fit into the life of an everyday Christian?
At MySpiritualGifts.com, we believe the gift of prophecy is still active today and intended to strengthen the Church. In this article, we’ll explore what the prophetic is, how it works, and how you can discern and develop this gift in a healthy, Spirit-led way.
1. What Is Prophecy?
In the New Testament, prophecy is a Spirit-empowered gift intended to encourage, exhort, and console (1 Corinthians 14:3). Prophetic words are not on the same level as Scripture. Unlike the infallible Word of God, modern prophecies must be tested and carefully discerned (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; 1 Corinthians 14:29).
Prophecy is not fortune-telling. It is not rooted in emotion, guesswork, or intuition. It happens when the Holy Spirit brings something to mind, perhaps a word, image, Scripture, or impression, and that person shares it in faith to build someone up in love.
2. Who Can Prophesy?
Paul says clearly, “You can all prophesy one by one” (1 Corinthians 14:31). That means prophecy is not limited to a few elite or ‘anointed’ people. Anyone filled with the Holy Spirit can learn to hear God’s voice and share what they believe He is saying.
Like other spiritual gifts, some people may have a stronger grace for the prophetic. However, Paul urges all believers to “eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, especially prophecy” (1 Corinthians 14:1). In other words, this is something worth cultivating, even if it feels unfamiliar at first.
3. What’s the Difference Between a Prophet and Someone Who Prophesies?
While all believers can prophesy, not everyone is called to be a prophet (more on this here). In Ephesians 4:11, Paul lists the office of prophet as one of the leadership gifts given by Christ to build up the Church. Prophets help equip others to hear God’s voice and often have a broader calling, whether within a local church, across multiple cities, or even a nation.
A prophet is not simply someone who gives accurate words. True prophets are marked by consistency, spiritual depth, maturity, and a lifestyle of submission to God and love for their neighbors. Their lives should be rooted in Scripture, shaped by community, and defined by godly character. Those who claim to be prophets but refuse accountability or remain disconnected from the local Church are not walking in the biblical model, even if they are gifted. Jesus gave prophets as a gift to the Church (Ephesians 4:11-12), which means you cannot operate in that calling apart from being meaningfully connected to a church community.
4. Biblical Examples of Prophecy
Prophecy shows up throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Here are a few examples:
- Moses is described as Israel’s first great prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15), a man who mediated God’s word to the people.
- Samuel heard God’s voice as a child and became a prophetic voice to the nation (1 Samuel 3).
- Isaiah and Jeremiah delivered messages of warning and hope during times of national crisis.
- Agabus in Acts 11:28 and 21:10 gave prophetic insight into future events that were confirmed to be true.
- Philip’s four daughters in Acts 21:9 are described as having the gift of prophecy, showing us that both men and women were active in this ministry.
These stories remind us that prophecy is not about status or performance; it is about the heart. It’s about being a faithful servant who listens for God’s voice and speaks with courage and love.
5. How Do You Grow in the Prophetic?
If you’re just starting out, here are a few ways to grow in the prophetic gift:
- Spend time in Scripture. The more you know God’s Word, the better you’ll recognize His voice.
- Study the gift more deeply. Read books, listen to trusted teachers, and learn from those who have walked faithfully in the prophetic.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to speak. It might begin with a scripture, a phrase, a picture, or a gentle nudge.
- Write down what you sense. Journaling helps clarify what you’re hearing and keeps a record of what God is saying.
- Practice in safe environments. A small group, prayer team, or spiritual mentor is a great place to begin sharing and receiving feedback.
Remember, prophecy isn’t about proving you’re spiritual. It’s about loving people with the heart of the Father.
6. How Should You Respond to a Prophetic Word?
Just because someone gives you a prophetic word doesn’t mean it’s automatically from God. Paul encourages us to “test everything and hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Here are four questions to ask:
- Does it align with Scripture?
- Does it reflect God’s heart and character?
- Does it confirm something already stirring in your spirit?
- Is the person sharing the word walking in humility, integrity, and spiritual maturity?
If a word feels confusing or unsettling, pause and pray. You do not have to receive every word. Sometimes God uses prophecy to invite conversation or reflection rather than immediate action.
7. Common Misunderstandings About Prophecy
Here are a few myths that often keep people from embracing this gift:
- Myth: Prophecy is always about the future.
- Truth: Prophecy often speaks to the present moment, offering encouragement or insight into what God is doing in the here and now.
- Myth: If someone misses it, they’re a false prophet.
- Truth: New Testament prophecy functions “in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). Missing it doesn’t mean someone is false, but it does mean we need to test what’s said.
- Myth: Prophecy is only for charismatics.
- Truth: Prophecy is biblical and crosses denominational lines. Many christian from various traditions embrace this gift today.
- Myth: Prophecy is always dramatic.
- Truth: Often, the most powerful words come in quiet, simple impressions that bring clarity, peace, or healing.
8. The Heart of Prophetic Ministry
Prophecy is not just about delivering a message. It’s about revealing God’s heart. That means seeing people the way God sees them and speaking with compassion, gentleness, and truth.
Paul reminds us to pursue love above all and to eagerly desire the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1). Prophetic ministry is love in action, tuned to the voice of the Shepherd and directed by the Spirit’s leading.
It’s also a ministry of integrity. The fruit of someone’s life matters more than the flash of their words. If someone claims to be prophetic but walks in pride, isolation, or spiritual manipulation, that is not the way of Jesus. As He said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16).
9. The Danger of YouTube Prophets
There’s much more that could be said on this, but here’s the bottom line: having a large YouTube channel or social media following does not automatically make someone a prophet.
In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in so-called prophetic voices online, many of whom regularly post predictions about political events, elections, or national crises. While God can speak about nations and leaders, the kind of prophecy we see in the New Testament is primarily within the context of the local Church. It is meant to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the body of Christ, not stir up fear, division, conspiracies, or partisanship.
When someone consistently uses their platform to deliver sensational or partisan messages, especially without accountability or connection to a church, we should be cautious. True prophetic ministry is grounded in humility, tested in community, and aligned with the heart of Christ.
10. Final Thoughts
The prophetic is a gift from God to build up the Church and help people. It won’t always be loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s a whisper, an impression of a timely scripture, or a word of encouragement that shows someone they are seen and loved.
If you scored high in prophecy on the Spiritual Gifts Test, that may be an invitation to listen more closely to the Spirit and take small steps to speak what you hear.
You can start with a simple prayer today:
“God, who do You want to encourage through me today?”
He is more willing to speak than we often realize—and you may be surprised by what He shows you.
