In the context of biblical literature, the term "doting" is often associated with excessive affection or foolish infatuation, particularly when it leads to a departure from sound judgment or truth. The concept is addressed in various passages of Scripture, where it is typically viewed in a negative light, warning against the dangers of misplaced affection or obsession that can lead one away from God’s commandments and wisdom.

Biblical References:

1. Ezekiel 23:5 : "Oholah prostituted herself while she was still Mine; she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians." In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel uses the metaphor of a woman doting on her lovers to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The term "doting" here implies an infatuation that leads to spiritual adultery, as Israel turns away from God to pursue alliances and idolatry with foreign nations.

2. 1 Timothy 6:4 : "He is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions." The apostle Paul warns Timothy about individuals who are "doting" on controversies and disputes over words. This form of doting is characterized by an unhealthy obsession with trivial matters that distract from the core truths of the faith and lead to division and discord within the church.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, doting is often seen as a form of idolatry, where one's affections and priorities are misaligned, leading to a departure from the worship and service of God. It reflects a heart that is not fully devoted to God, as it becomes entangled with worldly desires or distractions. The Bible consistently calls believers to guard their hearts and minds, ensuring that their love and devotion remain steadfastly directed toward God.

Practical Applications:

Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas where they may be "doting" on things that detract from their relationship with God. This could include an excessive focus on material possessions, relationships, or ideologies that are contrary to biblical teachings. Christians are called to cultivate a love for God that surpasses all other affections, aligning their desires with His will and purpose.

Warnings and Exhortations:

Scripture provides numerous warnings against the dangers of doting, urging believers to remain vigilant and discerning. The apostle John writes in 1 John 2:15-17 , "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." This passage underscores the importance of prioritizing one's love for God above all else, avoiding the pitfalls of doting on worldly things that are temporary and ultimately unfulfilling.

In summary, the biblical concept of doting serves as a caution against misplaced affections and priorities that can lead believers away from their devotion to God. By maintaining a focus on God's truth and cultivating a heart fully committed to Him, Christians can avoid the spiritual pitfalls associated with doting.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dote.

2. (a.) That dotes; silly; excessively fond.

Therefore I Fell among Men Proudly Doting, Exceeding Carnal and ...
... Book III Chapter VI Therefore I fell among men proudly doting, exceeding
carnal and prating? Therefore I fell among men proudly ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi therefore i fell.htm

1 Timothy vi. 7-Feb
... words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according
to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions ...
/.../homily xvii 1 timothy vi.htm

The Confessions of Saint Augustine
... Chapter VI resolved then to bend my mind to the holy Scriptures? Chapter VI Therefore
I fell among men proudly doting, exceeding carnal and prating? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/

The Old, Old Story
... I could not help fancying, as I saw his face just now, that he would think I was
doting on the old subject, and harping on the old strain; that I had not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the old old story.htm

How Heretics, Craftily Cite Obscure Passages in Ancient Writers in ...
... ought not, for filthy lucre's sake;" [450] "men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning
the faith;" [451] "proud knowing nothing, but doting about questions and ...
/.../the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter vii how heretics craftily.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... If any are proud, doting about questions and strifes of words, evil surmisings,
perverse disputings, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Boniface viii Ad 1294-1303.
... In Celestine's place was chosen Benedict Gaetani, who, although even older than
the worn-out and doting late pope, was still full of strength, both in body and ...
/.../chapter xvi boniface viii ad.htm

This Letter was Written to Accompany the Publication of Sermon 221 ...
... Tenderly as a husband thinks of the doting affection of his wife, as a father receives
the fond homage of his children, as a brother when he is held in honour ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/this letter was written to.htm

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ ...
... Lay then aside for a while thy doting vanities, and take the view with me of thy
doleful miseries; which duly surveyed, I doubt not but that thou wilt conclude ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the misery of.htm

Self-Reproach.
... All thy boasting this, O Friendship! Shedding tears and heaving sighs,. When
my need of thee is greatest,. When thy doting votary dies? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/xiv self-reproach.htm

Doting (5 Occurrences)
...Doting (5 Occurrences). ... For thou rendest with pain thine eyes, In vain thou dost
make thyself fair, Kicked against thee have doting ones, Thy life they do seek. ...
/d/doting.htm - 8k

Dothan (2 Occurrences)

/d/dothan.htm - 8k

Loves (97 Occurrences)
... come in unto thee as the coming in of a people, And they sit before thee -- My people,
And have heard thy words, and they do them not, For doting loves with ...
/l/loves.htm - 34k

Questionings (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and
disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings ...
/q/questionings.htm - 8k

Kicked (9 Occurrences)
... For thou rendest with pain thine eyes, In vain thou dost make thyself fair, Kicked
against thee have doting ones, Thy life they do seek. (YLT). ...
/k/kicked.htm - 9k

Oholibah (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:11 Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet was she more corrupt in her doting
than she, and in her prostitution which were more than the prostitution of ...
/o/oholibah.htm - 8k

Ohol'ibah (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:11 And her sister Oholibah saw this, yet was she more corrupt in her
doting than she, and in her harlotries more than her sister in her harlotries. ...
/o/ohol'ibah.htm - 7k

Word-striving (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Timothy 6:4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and
word-striving, out of which doth come envy, strife, evil-speakings, evil-surmisings ...
/w/word-striving.htm - 6k

Inordinate (2 Occurrences)
... It disappears in Revised Version: Ezekiel 23:11, "in her inordinate love" (the Revised
Version (British and American) "in her doting"); aghabhah, "lust ...
/i/inordinate.htm - 8k

Fondling (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The act of caressing; manifestation of tenderness. 3. (n.) A person or thing
fondled or caressed; one treated with foolish or doting affection. ...
/f/fondling.htm - 7k

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