Respect is a form of love. To spoil a child, is to damage one. A damaged child will bring shame unto their parents.
Parents who chastise, reprimand, or admonish, in today’s world, is viewed as one who damages their own fruit though done for sake of correction. As one in authority over a child, and failure to correct them, a form of damage occurs, often resulting in systems, laws, and/or experiences to direct their path. A failure to correct can lead to future disrespect of authority and/or instruction. We as humans either gain wisdom through instruction or experience. The determining factor of which method of direction we are forced to respect is in part based upon the rule of command imposed by parental powers in early development.
Proverbs 13:24, seen below, say the hatred or love that a parent has for their children is determined by whether they correct them or not. To hate a child, as their parent, is a form of damage inflicted upon that child. Therefore, by not correcting them, the Bible says is like being a parent who “hateth” their child. To spoil a child, places the obligation of correction on the system, legal authority, and/or the experience of misfortune and hardship to guide them onto the right path. Included under the category of system: religion.
The Holy Scripture offers truth that protects God’s children against damage caused from bad parenting, the consequence of not following wise direction, or corrupt-religion. God’s Word speaks of fiery trials being boundary indicators. The fieriest of trials are the most restorative. We fail to follow the instructions gained by trials sent our way, intended to either instruct us or provide an experience from which we can learn.
The effects of lessons not gained in childhood are the fiery trials of adulthood. A rebellious youth will become an adult who despise correction or instruction, which can ultimately lead to death. Be one instructed through God’s Word, the pain from His correction is far less damaging than scars gotten through the lessons of experience. Our only real protection is in Christ, because damage is what damaged does.
Proverbs 3:11
King James Version
11 “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:”
Proverbs 13:24
King James Version
24 “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
Revelation 12:7-9
New International Version
7 “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
1 Peter 4:12
King James Version
12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”