What Does the Bible Say About Testing The Spirit?

1 John 4:1 ESV / 12 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 / 8 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 Corinthians 12:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

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.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Matthew 4:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

1 John 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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 / 3 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 John 4:1-4 ESV / 3 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.

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Romans 5:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

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 14:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 1:1-51 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ...

John 1:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

1 John 2:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

1 John 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 Peter 1:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Timothy 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not quench the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Galatians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Acts 9:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

Acts 4:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 20:21-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

John 14:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

John 14:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ...

John 10:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”

John 10:1-42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ...

John 6:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 1:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Mark 16:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 12:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Matthew 7:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

Matthew 7:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 4:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Job 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

Deuteronomy 25:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

55 Bible Verses about Testing The Spirit

1 John 4:1 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1-21 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV / 6 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

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 4:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

1 John 4:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

John 14:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:1-51 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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

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

1 Timothy 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 9:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 4:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 20:21-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:1-42 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 6:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 4:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 25:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

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