If you are going to step out in the gift of prophecy (and the Bible urges you to do so), there is much to encourage you—especially regarding things to do, like praying, believing, and discerning.
But what about things to avoid? Well, yes, there are a few areas that feel like “walking on eggshells” or are simply best avoided. The prophetic gift, as visitors to this site likely know, is intended and mandated to encourage, strengthen, and reveal the heart of God to His people. It is a brilliant, essential gift for the Church, with the power to build up quickly and graciously. However, it is never meant to be deterministic, to “micromanage” someone’s life, or to dictate (predict or guess!) the path of their future.
Occasionally, God may allow glimpses into personal aspects of someone’s life, but such moments come with significant responsibility. When we speak into someone’s future, especially in sensitive areas like marriage, children, life and death, or calling, we need mature discernment and wisdom to know when to speak and when to hold back.
Take marriage, for example. Declaring who someone’s “God-ordained spouse” is might seem like a bold act of encouragement, yet more often than not, such words lead to confusion rather than clarity. For those who are both gifted and mature in the prophetic, a transparent, humble word of encouragement—offered without any hidden agenda or the old “thus says the Lord” style—can sometimes bring peace. Even so, it is wise to avoid specifics. If God is truly leading someone into a particular relationship, He does not need us to play matchmaker. He has His own ways of making His plans known.
The area of children is another tender space. Predicting someone’s future children or the number of children they will have might sound joyful, but for couples facing infertility or loss, such words can feel emotionally burdensome rather than uplifting. Sometimes, the most faithful response is a gentle prayer, acknowledging their longing and inviting God’s comfort without venturing into specifics. For the mature prophet (a term I emphasise for its necessity), a word of encouragement may be shared, but often the wisest choice by far is to pray for God’s timing and peace rather than attempt to predict the future.
Matters of life and death—such as illness or lifespan—require extreme care. Personally, I would leave these matters alone. Scripture tells us that the number of our days is in God’s hands (Psalm 139:16). While it is a privilege to pray for healing, hope, and peace, it is not our role to predict outcomes. In such moments, we should always point people towards Christ, their ultimate comfort and hope. Our words should encourage trust in God’s sovereign love, not plant seeds of anxiety or fear.
Prophesying about someone’s future influence or calling—those “you’ll write a book” or “you’ll be a leader” prophecies—also requires caution. True calling usually aligns with God-given desires that are already present. If someone is meant to write, they likely already feel a nudge in that direction. Prophetic words that affirm an existing calling can be encouraging, but they should be delivered humbly—and probably more as encouragement than as ‘a word’. After all, how many authors say they never dreamed of writing until a prophecy came along? Most are already on the journey, and a word from God simply nudges them further along a path they already sense.
Another area to handle with care is “after-the-fact” words. Saying, “God showed me that” after an event has occurred can sometimes be helpful in close friendships, but even then, we should guard against presumption. Not every impression we sense is a word from the Lord. True humility reminds us that our understanding is limited; often, it is better to hold our words in prayer, allowing God to reveal His purposes in His time rather than rushing to share every impression—many of which can be somewhat subjective.
Ultimately, prophetic ministry is about drawing people closer to Jesus, not setting them on a fixed course. Every word we share should help others sense God’s love, freedom, and grounding presence. For the one who prophesies, it’s not just about “stepping out in faith,” but about growing in friendship with Christ, learning to hear Him clearly, and walking in step with His Spirit. The prophetic journey shapes the prophet as much as it does the hearer, drawing both nearer to the One whose heart we seek to reveal.
Our goal should be to gently direct others to Jesus, the true author of every story. He calls each of us forward with kindness, patience, and wisdom that never fails. For our part, in this phenomenal adventure of the prophetic, let our words be humble, gracious, and rooted in love—that’s the prophetic gift at its best.
