en_tn/1jn/04/01.md

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)