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1 John 4:2

1 John 4:1 bbe — My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a…

Bible in Basic English

"My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world."

— 1 John 4:1, Bible in Basic English

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1 John 4:1 in Other Translations

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1 John 4 — Context

1

My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.

2

By this you may have knowledge of the Spirit of God: every spirit which says that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God:

3

And every spirit which does not say this is not from God: this is the spirit of Antichrist, of which you have had word; and it is in the world even now.

4

You are of God, my little children, and you have overcome them because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:1 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 John 4:1 say?
1 John 4:1 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Where is 1 John 4:1 in the Bible?
1 John 4:1 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 John, chapter 4, verse 1.
Who wrote 1 John?
1 John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. It was written c. AD 85–95.
What is the book of 1 John about?
John writes to help believers know they have eternal life. Three tests run through the letter: do you walk in the light, love one another, and confess that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh? Where these are present, assurance follows.
What are the major themes of 1 John?
1 John explores themes including Assurance, Love, Light, Truth vs. Error, Eternal Life. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 John 4:1.
What translation should I read 1 John 4:1 in?
1 John 4:1 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 John 4:1?
1 John 4:1 reads (BBE): “My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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