1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

English Majority Text (NT)

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

2By this the Spirit of God is known: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

Read all of 1 John 4

Cross References

Matthew 24:4And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.

Mark 13:21“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there He is!’ do not believe it.

Luke 21:8And He said: “Take heed that no one deceive you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I AM,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.

Acts 20:29For I know this, that savage wolves will come in after my departure, 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