There are many cunning people who could get concessions extracted, get promotions, and progress by using flattery. That means, they use flowery words to praise the benefactor to please him/her. However, the Bible warns against wicked people who do not have the fear of God, and also use self-flattery to deceive themselves. (Psalm 36:1-2) Without fear of God, he indulges in self-adulation and self-admiration.
No fear of God: It is the foundation of wickedness and all evil. Without wisdom and knowledge from God, he comes to wrong conclusions. (Proverbs 9:10) He has a conviction that God does not interfere in the affairs of humans. He lowers his estimation of God, but upgrades himself as equal to God. Self-flattery is more dangerous than flattery of others.
First, he flatters himself that his sins forbidden by the Biblical values are not at all sins. They are minor mistakes or simple errors, but not sins. Defining sin with other words does not reduce the magnitude of sin, as the Bible declares that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 3:23) There is neither a mild nor a light version of sin, nor death.
Second, his sins are not worse than those of others. There is no grading of sin; violation of one aspect of the Law is disobedience and rebellion against the entire Law. (James 2:10) Hence, all are sinners in God’s eyes.
Third, God will not take his sins into account. God is Holy, and He does not compromise with sin. All humans will be judged and will endure eternal punishment in hell if they do not repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ.
Four, he does many good things that would compensate. They imagine that God holds a balance, on one side, the good deeds are placed, and on the other, evil deeds are placed. They foolishly believe that if good outweighs evil, they will go to heaven.
Five, God is love, hence will not send him to hell. Those who choose to reject Christ choose hell for themselves and rush towards that destination.
Am I a self-flatterer or a repentant sinner, saved by His grace?