What does 1 John 4:5 mean?

In contrast to John's three comforts in verse 4, here he offers three negative words regarding false teachers. First, these deceptive ones are from the world, not from God. Those who are from the world do not have the love of God in them (1 John 2:15–17).

Second, as a result of being from the world, these deceivers have an ungodly outlook. A worldly person will speak from a worldly perspective. This is to be expected. Those who do so, however, are not "abiding" in God, nor are they speaking the truth.

Third, these worldly people are accepted by the rest of the world, since they speak from the same ungodly viewpoint. In short, "the world listens to them." It is only natural that unbelievers will listen to and accept the teachings of unbelievers. Yet believers are taught, "Do not love the world or the things in the world" (1 John 2:15). Instead, believers are to do the will of God, knowing they will live for eternity with Him (1 John 2:17).