## do not believe every spirit ## In 4:1-3 the word "spirit" refers to a spiritual power or being that gives a person a message or prophecy. This could be translated as "do not trust every prophet who claims to have a message from a spirit." ## but test the spirits ## This could be translated "but be sure to listen carefully to what the prophet says." ## has come in the flesh ## "has taken on human form" or "has come in a physical body" ## This is the spirit of the antichrist ## This could be translated “They are teachers who oppose Christ ” (UDB) ## which you have heard is coming ## This could be translated “You have heard that people like that are coming among us.” ## and now is already in the world. ## This could be translated “Even now they are already here!” (UDB)