💠 Sayings of the Wise - #9 — “Open Not Your Mouth to Mockers” (Prov. 23:9)

 Saying #9 — “Open Not Your Mouth to Mockers”

📖 Proverbs 23:9 (NASB 1995)

“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,

for he will despise the wisdom of your words.”

🌿 Title: “Dear Teenager Me — What Wisdom Has Taught Me About Silence”

---

🕊️ Intro: The Wisdom Behind the Saying

This proverb isn’t about withdrawal — it’s about wisdom.
In Hebrew, the word kesil (fool) doesn’t mean unintelligent; it means unyielding — a heart hardened against correction.

The wise learn that not every listener is ready for truth, and not every moment deserves a reply.
The mature woman of God discovers that silence can protect her peace, preserve her witness, and prove her growth far more than endless arguments ever could.

When we were younger, each of us used our voice differently — some too forcefully, some too freely, some too defensively, and some not enough.
Now, in Christ, we are learning the balance:

🕊️ When to speak truth boldly.
🌿 When to wait prayerfully.
🌸 When to let go peacefully.
🔥 When to stay quiet purposefully.

These four letters reveal how wisdom reshapes the voice — how maturing hearts learn to speak less to be heard, and more to be holy.  

Take your time and read all the letters below and decide:

• Which one would you have written to your Teenager Self?

💌 Letter One

Dear Teenager Me,

You always had something to say — quick, sharp, and certain. You hated being ignored and believed silence meant weakness. You called it “standing for truth,” but sometimes you just wanted the last word.

You argued with people who had no interest in listening. You mistook volume for value, and you wore your opinions like armor.
Looking back, I see how many peaceful paths turned into battlefields because I didn’t know when to stop.

Now, I’ve learned that truth doesn’t need to shout. Wisdom isn’t proven by winning an argument but by walking away with peace.
I no longer answer every challenge. I let God defend what He authored.
I don’t speak just to be right anymore — I speak to be righteous.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1

With love,
Your Older, Wiser Self

---

💌 Letter Two

Dear Teenager Me,

You were the bright one — full of words, laughter, and constant chatter. You couldn’t stand awkward silence, so you filled every space with sound.
But sometimes your words, meant to lift, ended up covering what needed to be faced.

You joked when you should’ve prayed. You talked when you should’ve listened.
You wanted to be liked, not realizing that peace is more precious than popularity.

Now, you’ve learned that not every conversation needs your voice.
You know the strength of a pause, the beauty of a gentle nod, and the holiness of restraint.
You still laugh — but it’s from a settled heart, not a nervous one.
You bring joy, but now your joy carries discernment.

“Let your words be few.” — Ecclesiastes 5:2
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” — Proverbs 25:11

With love,
Your Older, Wiser Self

---

💌 Letter Three

Dear Teenager Me,

You took everything seriously — especially truth.
You thought silence meant agreement, so you spoke up — long, deep, and detailed.
When someone said something wrong, you corrected them — gently, but firmly… and then again, and again, until you were exhausted.

You wanted to help, but not everyone wanted help.
You mistook stubbornness for misunderstanding, thinking more words would change hearts.
But you can’t reason rebellion out of a fool.

Now, you understand that silence can be holy.
You write less to defend and more to discern.
You’ve stopped offering answers to people who mock what they don’t want to learn.
Peace has become your punctuation.

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.” — Proverbs 26:4
“The wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving.” — James 3:17

With love,
Your Older, Wiser Self

---

💌 Letter Four

Dear Teenager Me,

You were quiet — too quiet sometimes.
You avoided confrontation, even when truth trembled inside you.
You thought keeping peace meant keeping silent, even when something should’ve been said.

You watched mockers ridicule what was sacred and convinced yourself, “It’s not my place.”
But silence can protect, or it can enable — and you’ve learned the difference the hard way.

Now, you speak when the Spirit says “speak.”
Your tone is gentle but firm, your courage steady but kind.
You’ve learned that silence isn’t always golden — sometimes it’s just fear dressed as wisdom.

You’ve found your balance — peace that acts, grace that speaks, truth that listens.
You are still calm, but now your calm carries conviction.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” — Proverbs 31:8
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” — Colossians 4:6

With love,
Your Older, Wiser Self

---

🌾 Closing Reflection

Proverbs 23:9 reminds us that wisdom is not about winning conversations — it’s about guarding your voice for the moments that matter.
The mature woman doesn’t waste words; she invests them.
Her silence is not absence — it’s alignment.

May your words carry healing, your silence carry holiness,
and your wisdom reflect the stillness of Christ,
who spoke when heaven led and stayed silent when heaven said, “Enough.” 🕊️✨

A superb Saturday to you all!

🌷 Reflection Question

💭 As you read the letters, which one echoes your own journey — the way your primary temperament once spoke, and how wisdom is reshaping your voice now?

👉 Share your response in the comments below.

1. Letter One💭 “I used to correct everyone and defend my point, even when it caused tension. Now I’m learning that real strength is staying calm when I could argue. I still speak truth — just with more grace.”
   
   
2. Letter Two 💭 “I was always talking and joking, even when silence would’ve been wiser. Now, I’m learning to pause before I speak and let peace set the tone for my words.”
   
   
3. Letter Three 💭 “I used to over-explain and try to make people see my perspective. These days, I pray before I speak — and I’ve found that silence can sometimes say the most.”
   
   
4. Letter Four 💭 “I used to stay quiet to avoid conflict, but now I know that silence isn’t always peace. I’m learning to speak up kindly and let truth and grace walk together.”

---

✨ Which one sounds like you, Sister?

Type or copy and paste your answer below.  Moving forward, remember to type your primary temperament next to your name. 

E.g.  Sandra - Choleric.

---