The Gift of Prophecy will "Confirm".
When the gift of prophecy is in operation, it will always confirm something that we have in our spirit already. It may even confirm a word previously prophesied over us, or through us. What comes forth will, and should always be for edification, exhortation and comfort for all men. The words should not alarm or frighten or cause us to make changes without consulting God first. All prophetic words that we receive should be shown to our leaders, or our covering Pastor. In this way they can counsel us and help us understand what God is saying to us.
1 Corinthians 14:3 - But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
All prophetic words that are spoken over us should be prayed about. Do not grab the prophecy and act upon it without judging the word first.
Prophecy is not for my benefit only, so that I may feel holy or spiritual. The gift is not so that I can shine and be active in ministry. The purpose of the gift is for instructing Gods people. Prophecy can change lives with a word of comfort or exhortation. The word of God always brings change. The word of God will always accomplish what it sets out to do.
Isaiah 55:11 - So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth, it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
If we do not speak forth what the Holy Spirit is urging you to speak, then we are robbing the hearers of the blessing that God intended the gift to be.
1 Corinthians 14:12 - Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
Prophecy brings "Conviction".
Scripture tells us that the gift of prophecy brings conviction to unbelievers if they come into a meeting where this gift is operating.
1 Corinthians 14:24 - But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
1 Corinthians 14:25 - And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
When the gift of prophecy is in operation the unbeliever is convinced that God still speaks through man. A prophecy may be spoken out for one specific unbelieving individual. God may be speaking straight to the unbeliever, and so the secrets of his heart are revealed to himself. This does not necessarily mean that others will even understand what is being spoken of. God has a way of putting some words together that may be a mystery to everyone else but not to the person He is speaking to.
Through prophecy the Holy Spirit will bring edification, exhortation and comfort. God is not cruel and will not hurt or harm you. He can be very firm when we need firmness. Otherwise, His heart is to reconcile all men to Christ, through the prophetic word. The heart of God is not to chase us away from Jesus and the church. It is people that make mistakes and offend us. Correct training of the prophetic people will help to minimize error as much as possible.