1 John 4:1

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

Young's Literal Translation

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 know ye the Spirit of God; every spirit that doth confess Jesus Christ in the flesh having come, of God it is,

Read all of 1 John 4

Cross References

Proverbs 14:15The simple giveth credence to everything, And the prudent attendeth to his step.

Jeremiah 29:8'For thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, Let not your prophets who [are] in your midst, and your diviners, lift you up, nor hearken ye unto their dreams, that ye are causing [them] to dream;

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

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

Luke 21:8And he said, 'See — ye may not be led astray, for many shall come in my name, saying — I am [he], and the time hath come nigh; go not on then after them;

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