In a world that constantly buzzes with noise, where the immediate impulse is to defend and explain ourselves, there's a profound wisdom in learning the art of silence. It’s a language all its own, a powerful response that often goes unheeded. Jesus himself pointed to this when he advised in the Gospel of Matthew, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.” He wasn't speaking of literal animals, but of individuals whose perspectives are so warped that engaging with them in certain ways is futile, like offering precious gems to those who cannot recognize their value.

You may find people in your life influenced by such negativity that no amount of explanation will lead to understanding. Instead, your words might be twisted, devalued, and used against you. It's a hard truth: not every fight is yours, and not everyone merits an explanation. As C. S. Lewis aptly put it, "Don't waste words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all." Silence, in these moments, isn't weakness; it's your most formidable shield, especially against those wrestling with their own inner turmoil.

The Battle Beyond the Physical

Our first instinct when faced with misunderstanding or opposition is often to see the person before us as the sole problem. Yet, there's frequently more at play than meets the eye. The struggle isn't always with flesh and blood but with unseen influences working through them. Without recognizing this, we can exhaust ourselves battling individuals, while the true source of the conflict operates unchecked.

Have you ever been in a situation where a conversation cuts deep, or your words are twisted, and your attempts to clarify only worsen things? It might feel like you’re hitting a brick wall. This can happen when you're not just dealing with a person, but with underlying negative currents influencing them. Scripture mentions Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons were cast out (Luke 8:2). Imagine anyone interacting with her before her deliverance was, in essence, dealing with multiple conflicting influences. Similarly today, some people's actions and words can be heavily shaped by unseen forces. Trying to reason with them can feel like arguing with a committee, because, in a spiritual sense, you might be.

C. S. Lewis highlighted two common pitfalls: disbelieving in such negative spiritual influences altogether, or developing an excessive, unhealthy obsession with them. Many fall into one of these traps. The reality is that such influences exist, but our role isn't to live in fear, but to operate with the spiritual discernment and authority we possess. When you grasp that the true battle is often spiritual, you begin to take things less personally. Hurtful words lose some of their sting when you understand their potential source. You stop depleting your energy in self-defense and can redirect it more wisely.

The Wisdom of Withholding Words

Consider Jesus's response when confronted by a man influenced by a demon, as recorded in Mark 1:25. The spirit tried to engage, to question. Did Jesus enter into a debate? No. He simply commanded, “Be silent, come out of him.” He didn't give the disruptive influence a platform to speak, argue, or manipulate. Negative influences often seek information; they want you to talk, explain, and defend so they can use your own words against you.

Herein lies a practical truth: stop explaining yourself to those who seem spiritually compromised or intent on misunderstanding. You don't always need to justify your actions. Like Jesus, you can choose silence, preserving your peace and spiritual authority, refusing to let negativity gain ground. Much of the emotional and spiritual exhaustion we experience can stem from fighting the wrong battles, defending ourselves to people who aren't meant to receive our explanations, or engaging in arguments we were never called to. If a disruptive influence can't stop you from your path, it will try to distract you with the wrong fight.

Think of the Garden of Eden. A clear instruction was given. But the serpent engaged Eve in conversation, and the moment she began to explain and dialogue on its terms, she opened herself to deception. This principle holds: when you expend words explaining yourself to a source of negativity, or someone heavily under its sway, you risk being drawn into a conflict you were never meant to fight. C. S. Lewis also reminded us that negative forces have strategies, and we shouldn't be ignorant of their methods. If they can't lead us into outright error, they'll often try to wear down our defenses. Don't fall into this trap. Recognize the true nature of the conflict, silence the distracting noise, and focus on what truly matters.

Guarding Your Sacred Truths

In Matthew 7, Jesus's command, "Do not give what is holy to dogs. Do not throw your pearls before swine," isn't an insult. It’s a description of a spiritual condition: those who are hardened, unteachable, and unable to appreciate sacred things. When you attempt to share the "pearls" of wisdom God has given you with people in this state, you're casting something precious where it will be devalued and, often, those same people will turn and attack you.

What are these "pearls"? They are the sacred things entrusted to you: the wisdom revealed to you, the spiritual sensitivity you carry, your peace, your energy, your dreams, your calling. These are not meant to be carelessly offered to those who cannot or will not appreciate them. Have you ever shared a profound insight, only to see it mocked or twisted? Have you poured out your heart, expecting understanding, only to have your vulnerability used against you? This is the consequence of casting pearls before those unprepared to receive them.

Not everyone is ready for the truth you carry. Their rejection might not just be a lack of understanding, but a form of spiritual resistance. Your precious insights can be trampled, leaving you feeling broken. Worse, some will not just reject your offering but will turn on you. When you over-explain to the wrong people, you can inadvertently give negativity a foothold. As C. S. Lewis also wisely observed, "Never make a principle out of your experience. Let God be as original with other people as He was with you.” Not everyone is on the same path, and some are so enveloped in their own issues that they cannot see or hear what you're trying to share.

The Power of Restraint and Trust

Not every conversation is worth having. Silence isn't weakness; it's wisdom. When you cease explaining yourself to those who devalue your words, you protect your peace, your energy, and your spiritual well-being. Jesus modeled this. Before Pilate, amid accusations, He remained largely silent (Matthew 27:14). Pilate was confounded. But Jesus didn't waste words trying to justify himself to someone not spiritually equipped to grasp his mission.

So, stop overthinking. Not everyone needs to know your thoughts, plans, or dreams. Learn to discern who is ready and who is not. When in doubt, silence, guided by a higher intuition, can be the best course. While we're cautioned against throwing pearls to swine, Jesus also showed the importance of sharing with the receptive. He invested deeply in his disciples because they were open. He spoke in parables to the wider crowds but reserved deeper explanations for those willing to truly listen. Ask yourself: Is this person genuinely ready for what I am about to share? If not, guard your pearls.

The prophet Isaiah stated, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). Silence isn't passive avoidance; it's a potent tool. It's an expression of trust in a higher power, a way to preserve your strength, and a path to deeper insight. When you understand this, you stop wasting energy on fruitless battles and learn to truly hear. Many of us see silence as losing, but it can be the most powerful response. Jesus’s silence before Pilate wasn't defeat; it was a demonstration of absolute trust in a larger plan. He knew Pilate wasn't the ultimate arbiter.

There’s liberation in learning to be silent when faced with opposition. It’s a way of saying, "I trust that this situation can be handled by a power greater than my own efforts to explain or defend." Silence becomes an act of surrender, a declaration that God can fight for you.

Silence: Preserving Energy, Sharpening Insight

Much exhaustion is emotional rather than purely physical. One draining argument or misunderstanding can deplete you because emotional exhaustion often translates into physical fatigue. Some individuals can drain your energy simply by drawing you into endless cycles of justification. The more you explain, the worse it might get. This is where silence is a protective measure, preserving your peace and strength.

Trust and silence are intertwined. When you stop striving to be understood by everyone, you allow space for divine intervention. This kind of trust requires inner strength. The world often tells us strength is found in shouting louder, but true strength is often found in quiet confidence and stillness.

Moreover, silence sharpens your insight. When you stop talking, you start truly listening—to others, to situations, and most importantly, to that still, small voice of guidance. Deep revelations often come not when we are speaking, but when we are quiet. In silence, you make room for inner wisdom to surface, to understand what's truly happening beneath the surface, to discern truth from falsehood without needing an argument, as actions often speak louder than words.

If an adversary can't stop you, it will seek to distract you with the wrong battles, making you waste energy on interpersonal conflicts instead of addressing underlying issues. Silence helps you refuse this game. How much energy has been wasted on arguments that only lead to frustration? Silence frees you from this cycle, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. It’s an opportunity for a higher power to work on your behalf, a strategic retreat so that divine wisdom can intervene. It is faith that you will be protected, defended, and that truth will be revealed at the right time.

Silence, then, is not weakness. It is wisdom, a weapon of trust, a preserver of strength, and a tool for insight. Not every battle needs your verbal response, not every person deserves your explanation, and not every conversation is worth your engagement. When you choose silence, you are often fighting in a more profound, spiritually attuned way, trusting in a strength beyond your own.

References:

• Lewis, C. S. (1942). The Screwtape Letters. Geoffrey Bles.

  This classic work, particularly its preface, delves into the nature of spiritual adversity and the "two equal and opposite errors" humans can fall into regarding the belief in negative spiritual entities—either disbelief or an unhealthy, excessive interest. The book itself explores subtle demonic strategies, aligning with the article's theme of recognizing unseen battles and not being ignorant of an adversary's "tricks."

• Foster, Richard J. (1998). Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (Special Anniversary Edition). HarperSanFrancisco.

  Chapter 7, "The Discipline of Solitude," (pages 95-109 in this edition, though page numbers can vary by edition) discusses silence and solitude not as mere absence but as a fertile ground for encountering the divine, gaining strength, and receiving guidance. This supports the article's assertion that "in quietness and trust is your strength" (Isaiah 30:15) and that silence sharpens insight.

• The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (Specific verses cited within the article: Matthew 7:6, Luke 8:2, Mark 1:25, Matthew 27:14, Isaiah 30:15).

  These scriptural passages form the foundational basis for the article's arguments concerning the wisdom of silence, discernment in communication ("pearls before swine"), Jesus's example of silence under accusation and authority over disruptive spirits, and the spiritual strength found in quiet trust.