Matthew 6:1 KJV
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Urban Dictionary defines attention seekers as someone who likes to announce everything in their life on social media to get people to feel sorry for them or to react to them. Basically it is a person who tries to get attention, typically in a manner considered excessive. A lot of times these individuals are lonely individuals but can range from those with obsessive behavior or even mental or emotional issues. It can also be someone who lacks love in their life, the emotional and/or physical love and seek the attention of others to fulfill their emptiness. There are a wide range of issues revolving around "attention seekers'. It can also be selfishness and pride; some individuals love the lime light, that of a celebrity feel. It can stem from some deep root issues.
Individuals are social human beings and need social interaction, positive feedback and validation of their worth and many are happy with what attention they get naturally through their normal day to day activities at home, at work or wherever they happen to spend their time. From time to time, people inevitably do things that might attract attention, but that is not their primary aim. In some situations it is quite normal to seek attention depending on the circumstance, such as music, TV, radio and work or on a specific platform and so on. Low self-esteem or insecurities can also play a major role on attention seekers.
The one main common point all attention seekers have in common is that it is all about “Self", the look at me mentality, selfish desires and pride. Believe it or not attention seeking is actually defined as a disorder by some medical professionals. It is an obsession that can destroy your life if not dealt with.
Let's see what God says on this matter,
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:3-5 KJV
Let every man look on the things of others and not of themselves. God does not want us to solely seek the attention of man to fulfill our flesh or emotional needs and desires. He wants us to look upon him.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Philippians 2:3-5, 21 KJV
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. John 7:18 KJV
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Romans 2:8 KJV
Attention seeking can be a serious problem for believers and definitely goes against God's word. All eyes should be on Jesus, people should be able to see Christ in you without you having to attract attention. There is no reason to constantly be trying to attract attention if Christ is already shining through you. Not everything should be made public on social media, some things are meant to be between you and God. Our "look at me" society mentality today has even penetrated into the body of Christ to the point where nothing is considered sacred and holy anymore.
Here are 8 signs of attention seekers...
1. Always seeking For Compliments: You consistently point out your achievements and accomplishments, however insignificant, in a way that means that those listening have to compliment you. You do this to reassure yourself and for validation.
Though we all at some times like to have compliments occasionally – if we’ve got a new haircut, new outfit, or a new job, for example – doing it persistently is a major warning sign.
2. Not Asking or caring about Other People’s Lives and Problems - You often dominate a conversation and gain the sympathy or advice of the person you’re talking to, but rarely reciprocate. Your world revolves entirely around you. You turn the conversation to point towards you.
The basic standards of politeness during a conversation between 2 people should be two-sided, and that when you catch up with someone, you should ask them about their life just as much as they ask about yours, rather than simply going on and on about your own problems or achievements. Basically have a conversation that’s entirely centered on you instead of acknowledging the other person is actually selfish.
3. Being Controversial On Social Media - Some people take this to extremes, spending their days trolling people on social media. You are a social media troll looking to gain attention and you comment on every persons post.
4. Being Promiscuous - You consistently seek physical attention from those that you’re attracted to and repeatedly getting into wrong relationships. A lot of people especially women constantly post inappropriate pictures or pose inappropriately to gain attention.
5. Constantly Exaggerating - You exaggerate on stories and like to make every bad situation sound far worse than it really is or was in order to gain sympathy.
6. Causing Arguments or disagreements - When attention is the main aim, it often doesn’t matter whether or not attention is positive or negative, as long as it’s there. You love to debate with others.
You consistently cause arguments for no good reason so the focus is on you, often just for the sake of receiving attention from the person or people you’re arguing with, however negative that attention might be. Or you will disagree with everything because you feel you’re always right.
7. Doing Things Just to get the Praise - social media has turned us all into attention seekers to a degree, but you find yourself actually doing things or going places just for the likes that the photographic evidence will get you. You post pictures on everything that you do and you just have to brag about everything you do as well. Bragging or shall we say boasting is a part of attention seeking and what does God’s word say about boasting?
James 4:16 (KJV)
16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Anything you do that is motivated by the recognition or praise you will receive for doing so, rather than because you genuinely want to do it or because it will have a positive effect on your life or the lives of others.
8. Constantly seeking reassurance or approval - because you seek attention, you strive to hear others approve and assure your actions and activities.
Seek Godly counsel if you feel that you are dealing with this issue. God wants your focus on him. He wants you to seek his attention. It is neither man’s attention nor validation that you need; it’s God’s attention and validation that should be the most important in your life. When you are so focused on God his light automatically shines through you and there is no need to grab anyone’s attention.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 KJV
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