Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.

In Acts 15:32, we see that two prophets exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. And now we see why God doesn't just hand out the gift of prophecy lightly. Christians won't listen for long to incompetent speakers or to Christians with a bad testimony. A person who lacks knowledge, can't teach, uses the wrong words, or does not command respect can't perform a prophet's duties.

We're told to seek the better gifts, especially that we may prophesy. If you obey this command, you might find God working in your life before He gives you what you ask for.

Okay, today a prophet edifies, exhorts, and comforts. What else does a prophet do?

Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us what ALL spiritual offices do:

And He Himself gave some to be Apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

So a prophet equips saints for the work of the ministry in order to edify the body of Christ. Nothing crazy or fanatical there. You don't have to be afraid of the gift of prophecy.

All right, we're born again Christians, not the nation of Israel, so what does a prophet do today?

1 Corinthians 14:3 tells us "But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."

See? Nothing crazy or evil. Do you need to be afraid to edify, exhort, or comfort people?