On Denying the Incarnation

4 Dear friends,^(A) do not believe every spirit,^(B) but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.^(C)

⁷ I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ^(A) as coming in the flesh,^(B) have gone out into the world.^(C) Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.^{(D) 8} Watch out that you do not lose what we^[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.^{(E) 9} Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ^(F) does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.^{(G) 10} If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.^{(H) 11} Anyone who welcomes them shares^(I) in their wicked work.

³ If anyone teaches otherwise^(A) and does not agree to the sound instruction^(B) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited^(C) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words^(D) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth^(E) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.