Verse 1

Testing the Spirits Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Referenced Verses

  • 2 Pet 2:1 : 1 The False Teachers’ Ungodly Lifestyle But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves.
  • 1 John 2:18 : 18 Warning About False Teachers Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. We know from this that it is the last hour.
  • 1 Thess 5:21 : 21 But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.
  • 1 Tim 4:1 : 1 Timothy’s Ministry in the Later Times Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,
  • Luke 12:57 : 57 Clear the Debts“And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
  • 2 John 1:7 : 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!
  • Acts 17:11 : 11 These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.
  • 1 Cor 12:10 : 10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
  • 1 Cor 14:29 : 29 Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said.
  • 2 Tim 3:13 : 13 But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.
  • Acts 20:29 : 29 I know that after I am gone fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
  • Rom 16:18-19 : 18 For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the naive. 19 Your obedience is known to all and thus I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
  • Luke 21:8 : 8 He said,“Watch out that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying,‘I am he,’ and,‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them!
  • Deut 13:1-5 : 1 Suppose a prophet or one who foretells by dreams should appear among you and show you a sign or wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder should come to pass concerning what he said to you, namely,“Let us follow other gods”– gods whom you have not previously known–“and let us serve them.” 3 You must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer, for the LORD your God will be testing you to see if you love him with all your mind and being. 4 You must follow the LORD your God and revere only him; and you must observe his commandments, obey him, serve him, and remain loyal to him. 5 As for that prophet or dreamer, he must be executed because he encouraged rebellion against the LORD your God who brought you from the land of Egypt, redeeming you from that place of slavery, and because he has tried to entice you from the way the LORD your God has commanded you to go. In this way you must purge out evil from within.
  • Prov 14:15 : 15 A naive person will believe anything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps.
  • Jer 5:31 : 31 The prophets prophesy lies. The priests exercise power by their own authority. And my people love to have it this way. But they will not be able to help you when the time of judgment comes!
  • Jer 29:8-9 : 8 “For the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel says,‘Do not let the prophets among you or those who claim to be able to predict the future by divination deceive you. And do not pay any attention to the dreams that you are encouraging them to dream. 9 They are prophesying lies to you and claiming my authority to do so. But I did not send them. I, the LORD, affirm it!’
  • Matt 7:15-16 : 15 A Tree and Its Fruit“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?
  • Matt 24:4-5 : 4 Jesus answered them,“Watch out that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying,‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many.
  • Matt 24:23-26 : 23 Then if anyone says to you,‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or‘There he is!’ do not believe him. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 Remember, I have told you ahead of time. 26 So then, if someone says to you,‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe him.
  • Mark 13:21 : 21 Then if anyone says to you,‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe him.
  • Rev 2:2 : 2 ‘I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles(but are not), and have discovered that they are false.