Reverent fear: Why parents must be afraid of the child

 Many parents are afraid of their children in one way - a guilty conscience that pins the blame on the child, in a way allegorical to their own trauma. They project their abusive parents onto a child, "wanting to be king" after being ruled over by parent tyranny and hegemony for 18 straight years. Nope, you parents don't get the gavel. Children judge. Children self-protect. Adults abstain from abusive choices. The Bible states that parents should fear their children in another, healthier way.

It says in Revelation 21:8 KJV:

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.

The Greek root word translated "fearful" is δειλός (Latin: deilos) and refers to a specific type of anxiety, namely one that leads to defense of wrongdoing. It is an insecure fear, and in this case is a fear of losing control of one's child, if only for appearance's sake. It rarely comes by itself, and with lawful child abuse, comes with stress from daily work, and repressed trauma...ultimately fear of admitting that one was hurt by abusive parents. The idea is to press a parent until the trauma comes out like water out of a dish towel, pouring in front of the plaintiff. Sweet victory for the victim/survivor, and sweet reflection for the parent. Win-win!

There is a fear in parents, that we all are capable of, that they must feel in order to heal. The Greek root word denoting reverent fear is ψοβός (Latin: phobos) and refers not of a fear that causes you to hide or flee, but move forward. It is a fear of one's own nature that prompts you to act, usually to correct a moral problem or defect, leading to discipline and self-restraint. 

I am afraid of children, but not in the abuser tense. They have a convicting presence for me, like any half-decent person would feel convicted by someone in a wheelchair or with crutches, putting your hands behind your back, and appearing shamefaced and shy. It is acceptable under my faith values to look at a young girl, but only at her consent. I am not to try and befriend a child except at her cue. It isn't fear of getting caught for anything, but humility and conviction in the face of a member of society that is so prominent for being so humbled and repressed.

Let's strike the fear of God into parents, thus reverent terror for the "least of these" meaning their child. Or, let them burn in the lake of fire, where Satan and his angels will be damned. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!