Pride can manifest itself in many ways. One of the most common is to crave attention– even if it makes us look like a fool. Proud people are desperate for attention and go to great lengths to get it. Sometimes it would be funny were it not so serious. It’s as if they’re screaming “LOOK AT ME!”. If you don’t, they tend to take it to the next level. We expect that from children, but we also expect them to grow out of it– many don’t.
It’s tempting to give a list of examples, but I fear that would only distract from my purpose. Besides, not much needs to be said because you already know what would be on the list. It shows up in everything from Facebook to the church. It’s revealed in attitude, actions, appearance, and attire. We sometimes wonder about the weird and wacky things people do. We can’t figure out why they would do such a thing. Some might reason that it is just a matter of preference, but it’s more than that. It is a matter of pride. They often do things that even they themselves do not prefer simply because they know it will get attention.
It grieves my heart to admit it, but you don’t have to spend much time in church to realize that some people are looking for attention. “Childish” is perhaps the best way to describe them. They are like little children vying for attention. Visit any playground and you will hear some child cry out,”Look at me!” And they will do some outrageous, even dangerous, things to get noticed. Dear friends, God expects better than that from Christians. Motive matters to God. He is just as concerned about why you do what you do as He is about what you do– maybe more so. God hates pride.
Such an attitude is not only offensive to God it is repulsive to others. In sports they call it being a “hot dog”, or a “show boat”, and most people despise it. When Christians display that attitude it destroys their testimony. Regardless of how talented you are it is of no use if offends God and others. But, that’s not all. When people fail to get the attention they crave they tend to go to greater extremes to get it. Some become critics and argumentative, creating strife in the church. They want the first word and the last word is a conversation, and are irked if they are ignored.
The cure for this is humility. Do you want attention? Let me tell you how to get it—the right kind of attention. Just live like Christ. That is a sure way to get attention, because it is so rare. Spirit-filled Christians are few and far between. When you are in their presence you know it. Not because they are seeking attention, but because they are different. Such people are better and more helpful, and that gets people attention. In this sin darkened world nothing stands out better and gets attention faster than the bright light of a Spirit-filled believer. Their difference makes a difference..
You don’t have to dress like the world, talk like the world, act like the world, or act like you are from out of the world– from another planet, to get attention—the wrong kind of attention. Just act like Jesus. Conduct yourself like Christ. That will get you noticed for sure, in a good way. There is no place in the church for “showing-off”, boasting, etc. If your goal is impress others, win their admiration, gain their applause, and out-do somebody else, you have the wrong attitude. Whether you are singing, praying, preaching, giving, or participating in a business meeting your desire should be to glorify God, not gratify self.Think about it!
