The Key to Punishment's Success
1 Kings 11:39
"And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever."
Punishment will either drive you further away from right or closer to that which you ought to be doing. The key to whether punishment succeeds or fails is found in the verse above. Because Solomon sinned against God, judgment had been pronounced against the seed of David. However, though God was going to punish his seed, He said that He would not punish it "for ever." God was wisely giving hope to the seed of David that punishment would not last forever in the hope of letting punishment bring them back to Him.
When authority punishes wrong, they must be careful with the administration of punishment. If they leave no hope when the punishment is administered, then they will drive the one who is receiving the punishment away from right. Leaving someone with dignity and hope during the punishment is the key to punishment's success.
When administering punishment, always give hope that the punishment will end. When there is no hope that punishment will end, then there is no reason for the one being punished to do right. This is why you must be careful about holding the past against someone who has done wrong. Punishment must end at some point if you want the one being punished to do right.
Moreover, be sure to give hope that restoration is possible. Here is an important key to someone getting right. Though someone may get punished for doing wrong, if they know that there is hope for them to be completely restored, then they will take the punishment correctly. You will often see people who rebel against punishment because they don't believe that they have any hope of being restored. Yes, there are consequences to sin, but there must be hope that restoration is possible.
Furthermore, when administering punishment, give hope that one can be used again. Restoration is important, but having a hope that they can be useful after the punishment will seal that hope in their heart. You will notice that God always left the door open for people to be used again after punishment. The Scriptures are filled with people who were used again after they were punished, and we should follow that example and do the same.
Finally, be sure to give hope that the relationship is not severed. You must make it very clear that your love for the one being punished is not on trial. Be sure they understand that you love them, not for what they do, but for who they are. When the one receiving the punishment knows that you love them unconditionally, then they will be willing to allow you to help them through the restoration process.
Whatever you do, don't remove hope when administering punishment. When hope is removed then you will institutionalize a person. What I mean by this is that they will feel they might as well continue to do wrong for their is no hope. The key to punishment's success is leaving hope during the punishment. When you leave them with hope, then you will leave them with their dignity and a desire to do right.