There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Messiah!” or, “Look, there he is!” do not believe it.
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.
No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.