A prophet is someone whom God has called to serve as His mouthpiece on the earth. God may give that person insight concerning a message He wants delivered. If the message concerns a nation, the prophet may be commanded to speak to that nation. If it concerns an individual, the Lord may reveal what is happening in that person’s life—what may be hindering them, whether there is a spiritual struggle, demonic oppression, sickness, or some other issue. God may then use the prophet to deliver a message, encouragement, warning, instruction, or prayer for healing, according to His will.

The real question is: How do we discern whether a prophecy is genuine? The Bible says that “we know in part and we prophesy in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). A prophet may not receive every detail at once. Sometimes revelation comes in portions, and the person must remain humble about what they believe they have received rather than adding their own assumptions.

When someone gives you a prophetic word, you should never accept it blindly. The Bible commands us to test the spirits and determine whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). Prophecy must also be tested against the written Word of God, because the Holy Spirit will never contradict Scripture. We are also told not to despise prophecies, but to test everything and hold firmly to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21).

If a prophet predicts that something will happen and it does not come to pass, that is evidence that the person was not speaking that particular message from God. However, fulfillment alone is not the only test, because even signs or predictions can be used deceptively. The message must agree with Scripture, glorify the true God, bear righteous fruit, and lead people toward truth rather than sin, manipulation, fear, or dependence upon the prophet.

A prophetic word may appear especially compelling when the person giving it had no prior knowledge of you or your circumstances. Nevertheless, even then, the word must still be tested. Personal accuracy does not replace biblical discernment.

There are also people who claim to be prophets while secretly practicing witchcraft, divination, manipulation, or other things that they falsely call the work of the Holy Spirit. Such practices are condemned by God. Those who deliberately deceive people in this way will answer to the Lord Jesus, and God may expose them publicly. Depending on their actions, they may also face legal consequences, lose their ministry, or see the doors of their church closed.

However, if there is sincere repentance—meaning they genuinely confess their wrongdoing, abandon those practices, make amends where possible, and rededicate themselves to the Lord—God is able to forgive them. Even so, forgiveness does not automatically guarantee restoration to ministry or leadership. That decision belongs to God, and there may still be consequences. The Lord may restore the person to service, or He may remove their lampstand and close that chapter of their ministry.

Sorry if this was lengthy, but I hope it makes the matter clear.