1 John 4:1
What is written? (ESV)
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.
What does it say?
Brethren, don’t believe every spirit, but test them to see whether they are sent from God. Do this because there are many false prophets in the world.
What is its immediate context?
The apostle John’s letter to Christians encouraging them love but in the immediate context warning of false teachers/prophets and giving them guidance about how to determine the “Spirit of truth” from the “spirit of error” (vs 6). Confessing or not confessing that Jesus is from God is one way (vs 3), together with listening to “us” (the apostles) (vs 6).
How 1 John 4:1 is applied across Bible answers
How were false prophets identified?
Christian's are obliged to test the things said since many false things are being said.
