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

1 Corinthians 14:32

Bible References

Believe not

"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder,

The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Try

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

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

but test everything; hold fast what is good.

"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

General references

And if you say in your heart, 'How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'--

Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.