The term "over-fond" refers to an excessive affection or attachment to someone or something, which can lead to idolatry or misplaced priorities according to biblical principles. While the Bible does not use the term "over-fond" explicitly, the concept is addressed through various teachings and narratives that warn against excessive attachment to worldly things or relationships that can detract from one's devotion to God.

Biblical Warnings Against Excessive Attachment

1. Idolatry: The Bible frequently warns against idolatry, which can be understood as being over-fond of anything that takes the place of God in one's life. In Exodus 20:3-4 , the first and second commandments state, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath." This commandment underscores the danger of allowing any affection or attachment to surpass one's devotion to God.

2. Love of Money: The New Testament addresses the issue of being over-fond of wealth. In 1 Timothy 6:10 , Paul writes, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." Here, the excessive affection for money is highlighted as a potential stumbling block to faith.

3. Worldly Attachments: The Apostle John warns against over-fondness for the world and its offerings. In 1 John 2:15-17 , he writes, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever."

Examples of Over-fondness in Scripture

1. Solomon's Wives: King Solomon's over-fondness for his many wives led him astray. In 1 Kings 11:1-4 , it is recorded that Solomon's heart was turned away from God because of his excessive love for foreign women, which led him to idolatry: "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... and his wives turned his heart away."

2. The Rich Young Ruler: In the Gospels, Jesus encounters a rich young ruler who is over-fond of his possessions. In Mark 10:21-22 , Jesus tells him, "Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." The young man’s inability to part with his wealth reveals his excessive attachment to it.

Encouragement to Proper Affection

1. Seek First the Kingdom: Jesus teaches the proper order of affections in Matthew 6:33 , "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This verse encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else.

2. Love for God and Neighbor: The greatest commandments, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39 , emphasize the proper focus of love: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" These commandments guide believers to direct their affections rightly.

In summary, while the Bible does not use the term "over-fond," it provides ample guidance on the dangers of excessive attachment to anything that can detract from one's devotion to God. Through commandments, teachings, and examples, Scripture encourages believers to maintain a proper balance in their affections, ensuring that God remains the primary focus of their love and devotion.

The Murder of Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, the High Priests, as Also ...
... river to Herod, he had not perished: but the marriage of his granddaughter [to Herod]
was his temptation; for as he relied upon him, and was over-fond of his ...
/.../chapter 22 the murder of.htm

The Race of Life
... If a man be laden with sins; stupid, lazy, careless, over fond of pleasure;"much
more, if he be given up to enjoying himself in bad ways, about which we all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon x the race of.htm

The Collar of Gold
... He is not appointed of the prince. He was Meneptah's choice"and his alone," Nechutes
interrupted. "It is rumored that Rameses is not over-fond of him.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ix the collar of.htm

Copiousness of Words
... For if he had rejected some things, if he had less studiously affected some engaging
beauties, if he had not been overfond of all his productions, if he had ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/copiousness of words.htm

Overfond (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Fond to excess. Multi-Version Concordance
Overfond (1 Occurrence). Luke 7:34 The Son of Man has come ...
/o/overfond.htm - 6k

Over-fond (1 Occurrence)
Over-fond. Overfond, Over-fond. Over-full . Multi-Version Concordance
Over-fond (1 Occurrence). ... Overfond, Over-fond. Over-full . Reference Bible.
/o/over-fond.htm - 6k

Overflows (9 Occurrences)

/o/overflows.htm - 9k

Notorious (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, there
is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking--he is a friend of tax ...
/n/notorious.htm - 11k

Over-full (1 Occurrence)
Over-full. Over-fond, Over-full. Over-great . Multi-Version Concordance
Over-full (1 Occurrence). ... Over-fond, Over-full. Over-great . Reference Bible.
/o/over-full.htm - 6k

Fond (6 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For, as God's steward, a minister must be of blameless life, not
over-fond of having his own way, not a man of a passionate temper nor a hard drinker ...
/f/fond.htm - 8k

Temper (14 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For, as God's steward, a minister must be of blameless life, not
over-fond of having his own way, not a man of a passionate temper nor a hard drinker ...
/t/temper.htm - 13k

Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, there
is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking--he is a friend of tax ...
/t/tax-gatherers.htm - 11k

Drinker (6 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For, as God's steward, a minister must be of blameless life, not
over-fond of having his own way, not a man of a passionate temper nor a hard drinker ...
/d/drinker.htm - 8k

Passionate (6 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For, as God's steward, a minister must be of blameless life, not
over-fond of having his own way, not a man of a passionate temper nor a hard drinker ...
/p/passionate.htm - 8k

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