1 John 4:1

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

Majority Standard Bible

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 you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Read all of 1 John 4

Cross References

Proverbs 14:15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

Jeremiah 29:8For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.

Matthew 24:4Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you.

Mark 13:21At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.

Luke 21:8Jesus answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Therefore do not follow them.

Acts 20:29For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare 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