Is Attention Seeking a Sin? What Does the Bible Say?

[Bible Highlighter]

What does the Bible say about attention seekers?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

What things can we do in love as a Christian when you encounter someone who is desiring to seek all the attention?

 

[Lost4words]

Ignore them

 

[Tom 1]

What does the Bible say about attention seekers?

Can you give an example?

 

[Serving Zion]

What things can we do in love as a Christian when you encounter someone who is desiring to seek all the attention?

It doesn't last long if it is handled well. For instance, if it is one on one, then you can corner them in their folly and then agree to disagree, whereas if it is in a group, you do get some opportunities to speak, and by emptying yourself from the judgementalism and serving in pure reverence, your grace will shine brighter in contrast - resulting that their folly will be obvious to everyone but themselves and therefore Christ is glorified through the witnesses and empowered through their witness to the truth. Eventually it will even be uncomfortable for that one (if they are of a genuine nature), or if they are possessed by a demon then you will see who it is that you are wrestling with and there will come moments where the life of Christ sparks in them, that gives hope they might be restored.

 

[dysert]

It doesn't last long if it is handled well. For instance, if it is one on one, then you can corner them in their folly and then agree to disagree, whereas if it is in a group, you do get some opportunities to speak, and by emptying yourself from the judgementalism and serving in pure reverence, your grace will shine brighter in contrast - resulting that their folly will be obvious to everyone but themselves and therefore Christ is glorified through the witnesses and empowered through their witness to the truth. Eventually it will even be uncomfortable for that one (if they are of a genuine nature), or if they are possessed by a demon then you will see who it is that you are wrestling with and there will come moments where the life of Christ sparks in them, that gives hope they might be restored.

Well I guess I didn't handle this time well. I was in a group that contained an attention seeker. He went on for about 20 minutes telling us his views on eschatology, misinterpreting Revelation, and espousing the post-trib, post-mill viewpoint. After his diatribe, I exclaimed, "Wow. I though my head was going to explode!" I proceeded to dispute his points. Fortunately, it didn't turn into a back-and-forth, but instead the group leader took control, and we moved on to what we were actually supposed to be discussing. Also fortunately, I see this guy pretty often, and we seem to get along ok, despite the disagreements.

My philosophy is, if the attention seeker is doing no harm (i.e., not trying to teach lies), I just ignore him/her. However, if they are teaching lies, I think the lies must be countered in a non-confrontational way.

 

[Serving Zion]

Well I guess I didn't handle this time well. I was in a group that contained an attention seeker. He went on for about 20 minutes telling us his views on eschatology, misinterpreting Revelation, and espousing the post-trib, post-mill viewpoint. After his diatribe, I exclaimed, "Wow. I though my head was going to explode!" I proceeded to dispute his points. Fortunately, it didn't turn into a back-and-forth, but instead the group leader took control, and we moved on to what we were actually supposed to be discussing. Also fortunately, I see this guy pretty often, and we seem to get along ok, despite the disagreements.

My philosophy is, if the attention seeker is doing no harm (i.e., not trying to teach lies), I just ignore him/her. However, if they are teaching lies, I think the lies must be countered in a non-confrontational way.

I see it as being a spirit that opposes Jesus Christ by not letting Him speak during such a valuable time (because Jesus Christ does not speak that way, it is the meek that inherit the earth). So whoever it is that is in the group that has the strength to do so (admittedly, it is a combination of character and experience), they will be doing Jesus a service by disabling the demonic voice (in a holy spirit, mind you - wield the sword but do not sin!). It is unfortunate that the group leaders are not always equipped with the strength to maintain the spiritual environment (because they are the ones who also have the most conferred authority in the carnal sense), but it doesn't necessarily mean that the lowest on earth in the group can't have the power to influence the meeting (James 3:4, Job 40:11-14), but having that social place in a group is a tempting factor for a group leader who is humbled by it (Luke 14:8) .. and that can bring it's own share of problems. Do not be dismayed by failings though, because Jesus will make sure justice is done (Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 20:18).

 

[bcbsr]

What does the Bible say about attention seekers?

John 5:44 How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?

John 12:42,43 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

1Th 2:6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

 

[Ken Rank]

What does the Bible say about attention seekers?

Interesting... the bible doesn't use "attention seeker" as a word or phrase, but synonyms including boastful, immodest, and even pride are what we find in a Thesaurus. It is the exaltation of self and self worth... it is the "Me" movement in a word or phrase.

And @Lost4words is correct BUT, not as the first step. If this is a Christian there is protocol. Attention seeking does fall into the category of sin as exaltation of self, pride, boasting... are all listed as sins. So we are to go to a brother first and kindly offer correction. If unreceived, we go again with elders or multiple witnesses, and finally if still unrepented, they can be turned away from the group. That's when they are ignored...but hopefully still prayed for.

 

[A_Thinker]

What does the Bible say about attention seekers?

The Bible says that those that seek the attention of others ... may receive the attention that they seek, ... but miss out on blessings which the Lord might have for them ...

Matthew 6

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

...

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

All wonderful answers here.

Thank you everyone;
And may God bless you all.

I will reflect more on this later and hopefully offer something to say on this, as well.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Can you give an example?

I was merely looking for just a general answer and how to deal with it.
An example would be a person ranting on over and over about an odd belief they have without really listening to anything you or anyone else has to say. I also was looking for a Biblically based response to someone like this, as well. How are we to handle this and yet show that we love them (according to God's Word)?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Philippians 2:3-4 comes to my mind for a person to realize that they should not be an attention seeker.

3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:3-4).

This one seems to be a tough one to apply I am sure for all of us. We should seek to esteem others better than ourselves. I am definitely going to pray on this one.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Philippians 2:3-4 comes to my mind for a person to realize that they should not be an attention seeker.

3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:3-4).

This one seems to be a tough one to apply I am sure for all of us. We should seek to esteem others better than ourselves. I am definitely going to pray on this one.

The problem comes in because attention seeking can mean a lot of things..

I seek the positive attention of my husband, and go out of my way to get it.. this is not a bad thing on the whole, as we are married.

So when you say attention seeking we don't exactly know what your talking about, the context could be any thing from my aforementioned situation, to someone threatening suicide because you want to end a freindship and anything and everything in between.

Each and every potential situation would require a different way of handling it. It's very difficult to answer such a vague description.

If it's just someone wanting to discuss a belief they have which you don't share, then decide why your around them or just how annoying this belief of theirs is to you

I have one freind she's a nice person but I swear she believes every conspiracy theory to come across her internet screen.. I find her nuttier than a fruitcake because of it, nice or not, and keep her rather at arms length even though she is a nice person. I stay in somewhat contact with her just because she is nice, and might could use someone who would occasionally speak truth to her.

When you do speak the truth, attempt to not be too offensive. There is always more than one way to say the same thing, and you never have to be a jerk about it.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The problem comes in because attention seeking can mean a lot of things...

I seek the positive attention of my husband, and go out of my way to get it.. this is not a bad thing on the whole, as we are married.

So when you say attention seeking we don't exactly know what your talking about, the context could be any thing from my aforementioned situation, to someone threatening suicide because you want to end a freindship and anything and everything in between.

Each and every potential situation would require a different way of handling it. It's very difficult to answer such a vague description.

Well, I am referring to attention seeking in a bad way where the person wants to uplift themselves in such a way that seeks to give more glory to themselves so as to be seen by men in order to receive praise by them instead of seeking praise alone or praise primarily from God.

It's kind of like the whole self help idea that says, "I am awesome!"

Obviously we have to get the attention of folks in order to get them to hear the gospel, but it is not attention seeking to uplift ourselves in having any glory but it is seeking to give glory to Christ.

Even the attention speeking of our fellow spouse should be for loving and humble reasons in the Lord according to His commands and good ways.

There is also a right way to handle wanting to be respected and or heard when others are wrongfully ignoring you, as well.

Here is one wrong way of seeking attention because others are ignoring you.

Obviously yelling at people is never the right way to get folk's attention if they are wrongfully ignoring you.

If it's just someone wanting to discuss a belief they have which you don't share, then decide why your around them or just how annoying this belief of theirs is to you

It could also be in cases where you see someone on a forum posting super long walls of text to you with lots of links with them sounding all superior and sarcastic. Then when you ask them to stop responding to you, they ignore your request and still post long walls of text to you anyways. It's like they are screaming out to you, "Pay attention to me!!!" (Kind of like the guy in the pic above). While their intention may be genuine to help, it is a bit of glory seeking in a way ~ IMO.

I have one freind she's a nice person but I swear she believes every conspiracy theory to come across her internet screen.. I find her nuttier than a fruitcake because of it, nice or not, and keep her rather at arms length even though she is a nice person.

I know what you mean. I can relate.

I stay in somewhat contact with her just because she is nice, and might could use someone who would occasionally speak truth to her.

When you do speak the truth, attempt to not be too offensive. There is always more than one way to say the same thing, and you never have to be a jerk about it.

Indeed. I agree. I have become a lot more tactful in the way I share Christ these days. When I first got saved in 1992, I was all fire and brimstone if you don't accept Jesus with my family and friends. Granted, hell is very real, and I am not against some believers preaching this way; For Jude talks about those believers who pull others out of the fire. However, I just feel more guided today to speak in love and respect towards others in these last days of darkness. To be as wise as serpents and yet as innocent as doves. To be less of a blunt instrument and more like a surgical tool used in a delicate operation or surgery so as to heal in love (to the glory of God).