What does as the twig is bent so the tree's inclined mean?

Answer 1

when one part of the tree is bent to a certain direction the tree will grow in that direction. This implies the way you teach your child to grow is the same way he or she will follow

This 'twig/tree' concept, combines with the concept that 'you will reap, what you sow'. If you sow wheat, you will not get corn or peas or tomatoes. Likewise if you sow with a view to 'the flesh', you will reap the consequences; whereas if you reap with a view to 'spiritual things' and 'pleasing Jehovah God' you will reap his promises.

In actuality there is much truth to it.

For example: If a young boy in puberty is exposed to pornography - - his mind will fantasise on the anticipated pleasures of what he views. Eventually this will lead him to seeking the pleasures he saw, both with his eyes and in his mind. Many become so addicted to pornography, that it is near impossible to stop viewing it. It becomes a struggle, even if he desires to stop. Even if he receives actual sexual stimulation constantly with his mate, his insatiable desire of viewing pornograph continues unabated. In the meantime, any relationship he develops with a female, will become tainted by his expectations, their frequency, and their progressively developing into needing more variety, and more occasions. A variety of different things are 'reaped' progressively, sooner or later at various times. Then, when old age has set in, he reflects on the direction he has 'bent' his own 'twig'; and he may not like how 'bent / warped' it all turned out to be.