1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but prove the spirits, if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

Literal Standard Version

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

2In this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ having come in the flesh, it is of God,

Read all of 1 John 4

Cross References

Proverbs 14:15The simple gives credence to everything, || And the prudent attends to his step.

Jeremiah 29:8For thus said YHWH of Hosts, God of Israel: Do not let your prophets who [are] in your midst, and your diviners, lift you up, nor listen to their dreams, that you are causing [them] to dream;

Matthew 24:4And Jesus answering said to them, “Take heed that no one may lead you astray,

Mark 13:21And then, if any may say to you, Behold, here [is] the Christ, or, Behold, there, you may not believe;

Luke 21:8And He said, “See—you may not be led astray, for many will come in My Name, saying, I am [He], and the time has come near; do not then go on after them;

Acts 20:29for I have known this, that there will enter in, after my departing, grievous wolves to 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