What does 1 John 4:6 mean?

John concludes this passage with another group of three comments. First, he notes, "We are from God." Believers are not of this world (1 John 4:5) and should be distinctly different.

Second, a sign of real fellowship with God is openness to sound teachings. Believers who are truly walking with Christ will listen to godly teachers. John considered himself one of these godly teachers. He offered words of instruction, and certainly expected his readers to accept and obey. Of course, if it was not possible for a saved person to be deceived, John would have no reason to give his warning. True believers are not immune to deception, but those who truly walk with Christ have a better sense of good versus bad teachings.

Third, John states that unbelievers will naturally reject the message of God's people.

The conclusion is that these basics let us judge between truth and error, spiritually speaking. Believers cannot believe every spiritual teaching (1 John 4:1). They are to accept teachings from God and His people, while rejecting worldly teachings presented by false teachers. Believers have overcome the false teachings in this world because the one in them is greater than the one in this world (1 John 4:4).