The Attention War
Lately, the importance of protecting our attention has become increasingly clear. Nearly every moment, we’re being influenced by algorithms, advertisements, and trends – often without realizing. In an era of mass consumerism, major brands quietly dictate what we see, shape how we think, and engineer our involvement with the world around us. And whether we’d like to admit it or not, every moment of passive engagement is forming us.
Have you ever spoken something aloud only for it to appear on your timeline moments later? Suddenly, you’re down a rabbit hole, scrolling aimlessly after what felt like just a few clicks — maybe even buying one or two things you never intended. This is the sort of loop many of us have funneled into. A cycle of distraction, suggestion, and consumption.
In Matthew 6:22–23, Jesus invites us to consider the sacred power of spiritual perception. He reminds us that our eyes are windows into the soul — and the implications of what we expose ourselves too are costly. Jesus encourages us to nurture our inner light — our heart, mind, and conscience — and intentionally avoid the pitfalls of darkness. An outright acknowledgement that the less time we spend attending to what matters, the more vulnerable we become to things that don’t.
Paul echoes this sentiment in the New Testament, cautioning us not to sleepwalk through life like others, but to stay awake and sober minded [1 Thessalonians 5:6]. In essence, the text illustrates the importance of remaining intentional and spiritually clear, not lulled to sleep by excess stimulation. The current geopolitical climate is extremely polarizing — we can’t afford to know headlines more intimately than we know ourselves. It takes unplugging, reflection, journaling, prayer, and grounding conversations. When was the last time you read a physical book or spent ample time outdoors? I ask because the fight of our generation isn’t just for our time — it’s for our minds.
As Ephesians 5:15-16 urges, “Be very careful how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” In today’s world, attention has become a currency that costs us presence—and if we aren’t careful, we may trade our agency for automation, forgetting that presence is where purpose exists.
So it’s worth asking:
When was the last time I intentionally unplugged long enough to hear my own thoughts or God’s voice?
What would it look like to be a little more present each day?
What currently has the most of my attention and is it shaping me into who I want to become?