# General Information:

John gives a warning against false teachers who teach against Christ's having had a human body and teachers who talk the way those who love the world talk.

# Beloved, do not believe

"You people whom I love, do not believe" or "Dear friends, do not believe." See how you translated this in [1 John 2:7](../02/07.md).

# do not believe every spirit

Here, the word "spirit" refers to a spiritual power or being that gives a person a message or prophecy. Alternate translation: "do not trust every prophet who claims to have a message from a spirit" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# test the spirits

Here, the word "spirits" refers to a spiritual power or being that gives a person a message or prophecy. Alternate translation: "think carefully about what the prophet says" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])