1 John 4:1

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

ASV Byzantine Text

In The King James Version

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

In Context

2Hereby the Spirit of God is known: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Read all of 1 John 4

Cross References

Proverbs 14:15The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Jeremiah 29:8For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in the midst of you, and your diviners, deceive you; neither hearken ye to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

Matthew 24:4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.

Mark 13:21And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there; believe it not:

Luke 21:8And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not therefore after them.

Acts 20:29For I know this, that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;

Matthew Henry on 1 John 4:1

In this chapter the apostle exhorts to try spirits ( ver. 1 ), gives a note to try by ( ver. 2, 3 ), shows who are of the world and who of God ( ver. 4-6 ), urges Christian love by divers considerations ( ver. 7-16 ), describes our love to God, and the effect of it, ver. 17-21 . Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 John 4:1