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

"Beware of the false teachers--men who come to you in sheep's fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves.

"Take care that no one misleads you," answered Jesus;

For men of that stamp are not bondservants of Christ our Lord, but are slaves to their own appetites; and by their plausible words and their flattery they utterly deceive the minds of the simple.

But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the Sovereign Lord who has redeemed them, and bringing on themselves swift destruction.

Try

"Why, too, do you not of yourselves arrive at just conclusions?

The Jews at Beroea were of a nobler disposition than those in Thessalonica, for they very readily received the Message, and day after day searched the Scriptures to see whether it was as Paul stated.

Your fidelity to the truth is everywhere known. I rejoice over you, therefore, but I wish you to be wise as to what is good, and simple-minded as to what is evil.

But if there are Prophets, let two or three speak and let the rest judge.

but test all such, and retain hold of the good.

I know your doings and your toil and patient suffering. And I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, but have put to the test those who say that they themselves are Apostles but are not, and you have found them to be liars.

General references

Many false prophets will rise up and lead multitudes astray;

He who is a child of God listens to God's words. You do not listen to them: and why? It is because you are not God's children."

and the spirits of Prophets yield submission to Prophets.