You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
2 For he
flattereth [chalaq] himself in his own eyes [`ayin], until his iniquity [`avon]
be found [matsa'] to be hateful [sane']. KJV-Interlinear
2 For he
flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and
hated. ESV
The word for flatter, means to be smooth, to be self-absorbed. The wicked disregards God, and therefore truth, for God is truth.
That leaves only the delusion of ones own importance, which is to elevate ones own importance to the level of the absurd.
Exalting oneself, ends up in rejecting or denying ones own sins and flaws. This is an attempt to hide ones own sins even from God. And that makes the delusion complete.
The wicked cannot see, and refuse to see, their own deficiencies, but others with wisdom can see the obvious.
And who is the wicked?
All unbelievers are wicked by definition. All believers who disregard truth, live out of fellowship, and are therefore wicked. Wickedness is life in the carnal realm. Technically, when one is out of fellowship, one is wicked. Confession and restoration are the only solution.
However, the overall pattern of ones life, determines wickedness or spirituality.
Everyone sins and therefore subject to stumbling, but that does not make them wicked per se. For truth serves to negate the confusion of the world.
However, if a person is constantly exposed to the world and maintains an indifference toward truth, then wickedness will eventually lay claim and build up a delusion that is difficult to escape.
Disregard for God, means disregard for truth. Disrespect is supported by arrogance. And arrogance is the biggest barrier, locking out humility and objectivity.
