Psalm 34:11 – “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”
Throughout history, fear has been used as a tool for control, discipline, and even guidance. Psalm 34:11, like many other religious teachings, emphasizes the importance of fearing the Lord as a pathway to wisdom and righteousness. However, in a modern and more enlightened understanding of human behavior and development, we must question whether teaching fear is truly beneficial—or if it is respect, understanding, and discipline that should be instilled instead.
The Instinctive Nature of Fear
Fear is not something that needs to be taught; it is an instinctive human response. From an early age, children naturally fear things that threaten their well-being—fire, deep water, or wild animals. What is more important than teaching fear is teaching why something should be feared and how to respond to danger appropriately. For example, rather than instilling an irrational fear of snakes, it is wiser to teach children that venomous snakes are dangerous and should be avoided.
The Problem with Teaching Fear
Emphasizing fear as a primary method of discipline has significant drawbacks:
Creates Passive Tolerance – Fear can lead to blind obedience rather than genuine understanding. A child who fears authority will obey, but not necessarily respect. This can extend into adulthood, where individuals tolerate bullies or injustices simply because they have been conditioned to endure rather than think critically and respond appropriately.
Breeds Submission Rather than Strength – People who are raised in fear may struggle to assert themselves. Fear teaches individuals to “put up with” situations they dislike rather than actively work to improve or escape them.
Leads to Rebellion – Fear-based obedience often breeds resentment. When fear is the primary motivator, people eventually seek opportunities to rebel against the very authority they once obeyed, often leading to destructive consequences.
Teaching Respect Instead of Fear
A more effective approach is to teach respect—both for authority and for dangerous situations. The difference between fear and respect is understanding:
A person who fears fire avoids it out of terror.
A person who respects fire understands its usefulness and its dangers and knows how to interact with it safely.
This same principle applies to authority. A father, for example, should not be feared by his children. Instead, they should be taught to respect him because he provides, protects, and guides them—not because he is a source of punishment or intimidation. They should also learn that failing to obey reasonable rules has consequences, but those consequences are not based on cruelty or fear but rather on responsibility and discipline.
Reinterpreting Psalm 34:11 in a Modern Context
Ancient societies often governed through strict, fear-based hierarchies. In those times, fear of rulers, laws, and divine punishment was a strong motivator for obedience. However, in today’s world, we recognize that respect and understanding create a stronger and more just society.
Instead of teaching “fear of the Lord,” a more applicable lesson would be to teach reverence for the Lord—an awareness of divine principles, justice, and moral responsibility, not blind submission out of terror. Just as a wise father disciplines his children out of love and guidance rather than intimidation, a just society fosters understanding rather than fear.
Conclusion
Teaching fear is an archaic practice that may have served a purpose in past societies but has no place in enlightened education and moral instruction. Fear creates submission, passive tolerance, and eventual rebellion, whereas respect fosters understanding, responsibility, and wisdom. The best path forward is to teach discipline, kindness, and the consequences of one’s actions—without relying on fear as a motivator. By shifting from fear to respect, we create individuals who act not out of dread but out of wisdom and genuine moral integrity.