1Beloved , believe not every spirit , but try the spirits whether they are of God : because many false prophets are gone out into the world . 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God : Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God : 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God : and this is that spirit of antichrist , whereof ye have heard that it should come ; and even now already is it in the world . 4Ye are of God , little children , and have overcome them : because greater is he that is in you , than he that is in the world . 5They are of the world : therefore speak they of the world , and the world heareth them . 6We are of God : he that knoweth God heareth us ; he that is not of God heareth not us . Hereby know we the spirit of truth , and the spirit of error .
God is Love
7Beloved , let us love one another : for love is of God ; and every one that loveth is born of God , and knoweth God . 8He that loveth not knoweth not God ; for God is love . 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us , because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world , that we might live through him . 10Herein is love , not that we loved God , but that he loved us , and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins . 11Beloved , if God so loved us , we ought also to love one another . 12No man hath seen God at any time . If we love one another , God dwelleth in us , and his love is perfected in us .
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear
13Hereby know we that we dwell in him , and he in us , because he hath given us of his Spirit . 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world . 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God , God dwelleth in him , and he in God . 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us . God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God , and God in him . 17Herein is our love made perfect , that we may have boldness in the day of judgment : because as he is , so are we in this world . 18There is no fear in love ; but perfect love casteth out fear : because fear hath torment . He that feareth is not made perfect in love . 19We love him , because he first loved us .
Love for One Another
20If a man say , I love God , and hateth his brother , he is a liar : for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen , how can he love God whom he hath not seen ? 21And this commandment have we from him , That he who loveth God love his brother also .