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)
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