What Does the Bible Say About Test Spirits?

1 John 4:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1-21 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...

2 John 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

1 John 4:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

1 John 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

1 John 4:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

1 John 4:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

John 16:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

1 John 4:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 John 4:2-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

1 John 2:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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.

James 1:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. ...

John 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He left Judea and departed again for Galilee.

Luke 21:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Matthew 7:16-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Proverbs 28:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

2 John 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

1 John 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

1 John 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 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.

John 16:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

John 4:1-54 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ...

Luke 24:1-53 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ...

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. ...

36 Bible Verses about Test Spirits

1 John 4:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes

1 John 4:1-21 ESV / 7 helpful votes

2 John 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 16:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 John 4:2-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 John 2:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 1:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Luke 21:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 7:16-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Proverbs 28:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

2 John 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 16:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 4:1-54 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Luke 24:1-53 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 16:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

36 Bible Verses about Test Spirits

1 John 4:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1-21 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:2-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 21:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:16-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 28:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 4:1-54 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 24:1-53 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 16:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

1 John 4:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes

1 John 4:1-21 ESV / 7 helpful votes

2 John 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 16:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 John 4:2-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 John 2:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 1:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Luke 21:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 7:16-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Proverbs 28:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

2 John 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 16:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 4:1-54 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Luke 24:1-53 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 16:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes