1 John 4:1

Believers must not trust every spirit but test them, since many false prophets are at work. Discernment guards the church from error.

Cross-references · 22

• 1 Th 5:21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
• 2 Pet 2:1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
• 1 Tim 4:1Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
• 2 Jn 1:7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
• Prov 14:15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
• Matt 24:4–5Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you.
• Jer 29:8–9For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.
• Matt 7:15–16Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
• 1 Cor 14:29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
• 1 Jn 2:18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
• Luke 12:57And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
• Luke 21:8Jesus answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.
• 2 Tim 3:13while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
• Deut 13:1–5If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you,
• Matt 24:23–26At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.
• Rev 2:2I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles.
• 1 Cor 12:10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
• Mark 13:21At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.
• Rom 16:18–19For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
• Jer 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
• Acts 20:29I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
• Acts 17:11Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

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