1 John 4:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Believe not

Try

General references

Matthew 24:11

John 8:47

1 Corinthians 14:32

Bible References

Believe not

"Look out for deceiving prophets, who approach you wearing sheep's clothing, but who are [actually] starving wolves in their hearts.

And Jesus answered them, "Pay attention so that no one leads you astray [from the truth].

For such men are not serving our Lord Christ but their own [unspiritual] appetites. They are deceiving the minds of innocent people by their smooth talk and flattering words.

But just as there were false prophets among the people before, there will also be false teachers among you [Christians]. They will privately teach harmful doctrines that destroy people [spiritually], by even denying [that Jesus is] the Master, [and thereby] destroying themselves quickly.

Try

"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Now these people [in Berea] had more character than those in Thessalonica because they [not only] received the message with an open mind but [also] examined the [Old Testament] Scriptures every day to see if what they had heard was really true.

For everyone has heard about your obedience [to the truth], and [because of this], I am very happy over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

And [only] two or three prophets should speak [in one meeting], and [then] other people should determine the significance [of their messages].

Put everything [i.e., speakers and their messages] to the test, [then] hold onto what is good.

I know about your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. [I know] that you cannot tolerate wicked men and that you have tested those who call themselves apostles, but really are not, and found them to be liars.

General references

And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people away [from the truth].

The person who belongs to God listens to the message from God. The reason you will not listen to it is because you do not belong to God."

And the prophets' spirits are [to be] under the prophets' control [i.e., a prophet was to determine if or when he exercised his gift],