Giving personal words of knowledge has always concerned me - not that there isn't such a thing as the real gift, but that it can be and is so easily abused. Biblically-based prophecy is public declaration, because as the OP's verse states, "24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all." It takes guts and spiritual gusto to prophecy before all than simply walk up and say to someone, "I have a word for you, brother" in a semi-private setting where not everyone can hear. You could utter almost anything to them and not have to be accountable to the Spirit of God within the congregation as a whole.
So no, I would lean very heavily against it being word of knowledge that is spoken about in 1 Corinthians 14. Word of knowledge was used in a personal setting on both NT occasions when Jesus used it; once to convert the woman at the well, and the other to draw Nathaniel in as a disciple. The context of 1 Corinthians 14 and the gifts of prophecy and tongues/interpretation is entirely congregational.
I never give a personal prophetic word to anyone without being asked to by that person. And I never give guidance-based words, because in my mind that would be usurping the Holy Spirit's internal guidance for that person.
The only exception to that was when I was taking a meeting, and I said that I would like to come down to the people and give prophetic words as led by the Spirit. If anyone didn't want to receive a word, they were quite free to say "no". If I felt to approach a person, I always asked, "Do you mind if I give you a word?" I was never refused and those whom I gave a word to, appreciated it. My policy was to always give encouraging words, like "God knows your heart" comments.
In one house meeting I put the "hot seat" out and if anyone wanted a prophetic word, to sit in that seat. Everyone did, and were amazed at the accuracy of each word, even though I was a stranger to that group. They got really excited when I said over one guy, "Give this man a financial miracle". I was told later than the guy was facing bankruptcy in his business.
I think I told this story elsewhere on the forum, but I gave a word to a young lady in a young person's camp, and her reaction was quite dramatic as she dissolved in sobbing and tears. It transpired that my word contained a word of knowledge about something that she had been for counselling earlier that day, which I had absolutely no idea about.
But personal prophecy can certainly be misused by someone intending to impress their will on people. My view, is to never accept unsolicited personal prophetic words for any reason. But if you go forward for prayer in an altar call, then expect to receive a prophetic word in that case, because going forward for prayer is giving permission to receive a word if the person praying for you (usually a properly appointed member of the ministry team) has one.
I heard of a ministry team member praying for a church elder who had come forward for prayer. He had a word of knowledge that the elder was having an affair with a female staff member. He didn't want to blurt it out because he knew that declaring it publicly would alienate the elder and divide the church. So he quickly asked the Lord for a word of wisdom. The Holy Spirit told him to say, "Faithfulness to your wife and family is the most important item on your agenda right now." The elder broke down and took the team member aside and confessed his affair. He received prayer and counselling, and the issue was resolved without destroying the elder's marriage and dividing the church. The team member got a word of knowledge for another male member about his addiction to inappropriate contentography. He again asked for wisdom from the Lord, and said to the member: "The Lord wants you to be completely clean before Him". Again the member broke down and confessed his addiction, and was prayed for and totally delivered from it with on-going counselling.
On another occasion, during a conference, the leader noticed a man going around different people and giving personal prophecies to them. He approached the man and asked him to stop. The man said, "The Lord has sent me here and appointed me to prophesy to these people". The leader said, 'If you won't stop giving unwanted prophecies to people, you can leave the conference". When the man resisted, the leader indicated a very nice but large usher who would help him out the door. The man suddenly felt he was guided by the Lord to leave the conference and scuttled out the door!
