Many of us grew up believing that the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body, but is it really? The short answer is no, but the explanation is not as straightforward as you'd think.
There are lots of ways to measure strength. One is brute force, in which case biggest is best. All skeletal muscles are bundles of individual fibers that contain small force generating structures called sarcomeres. "Generally speaking, more muscle tissue means a larger total number of sarcomeres, which means greater maximum force generation. That means the largest muscles, the quadriceps on the front of your thighs and the gluteus maximus on your rear, produce the most force.
Muscle size and raw force are not everything though. Muscles work bypulling on bones, which act as levers that convert muscular contractions (small but powerful movements) into large motions. Think of curling a dumbbell. Your bicep pulls on the bones in your forearm to lift the dumbbell, because your forearm is long and the bicep pulls on it right near the elbow, the bicep has to pull with a lot of force to move your hand up to your shoulder. Your jawbone, in contrast, is a much shorter lever. Because of this, the masseter, the main muscle in your jaw, is also a contender for strongest muscle in the body.
Or maybe it's not about force at all" but rather about overall work done in the course of a lifetime. By that measure, the hardest working muscle in your body is the one that's pump-pump-pumping 24/7 to keep your blood flowing round and round, to all the other muscles.
I don't know about you but I'm getting dizzy, all this medical jargon is a bit overwhelming and confusing, that's why I love the Word of God. I can understand it. It makes sense, and it fits like a hand in a glove and it is so simple anyone with the heart to understand Gods Word can understand it.
I was taught to see it big and keep it simple and I endeavor to do that in all aspects of my life. So how can I say The Tongue Is the Strongest Muscle in the Body? I don't have a PhD in medicine. The tongue is a muscle that moves words and the words you speak, or are spoken to you can cause joy, encouragement, love, (like a Tasty Cake, all the good things wrapped up in one), or they can cause sadness, fear or hate, all that's evil and contrary to Gods Word. I know a little bit about the Word of God, it takes the tongue to speak it, and when it is rolled off the tongue of a believer, the Word of God is more powerful than anyone or anything.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Isn't that awesome, one verse of scripture as opposed to a page and a half of medical rhetoric, and there is so much more. We can't cover it all in this article but when you have some time you should look at the word tongue and all that God has to say about it in His Word. The epistle of James is as good a place as any to start.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
The tongue can start a fire in a person's life and like I said before it can be used to build up or tear down, to encourage or discourage, and God makes this comparison in quite a few verses.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.Proverbs 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 15:2 The tongueof the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
I pray you get the picture, such a little muscle with so much power. Let's look at some benefits in controlling the words that roll off our tongue.
Zephaniah 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
How about that? The tongue is mentioned in the same verse as food, rest, and the lack of fear.
Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Corralling the tongue can get you more peace in your life, and who doesn't need that?
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Control your tongue and you will see good days. I don't know about you but I love life and good days.
My final thought on the tongue is that it can be used to praise God and that makes me think of:
Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord O my soul: and all that is within me bless His holy name.
Take some time to praise God for all He has done for you and forget not all His benefits.
We need to get a grip on the little muscle in our mouth and use the tongue to cause joy, encouragement, and love, to build up, and to encourage everyone we encounter in our daily lives by speaking the words of life in the Word of God and praising God for all He has done and continues to do.
Helen Keller, who was born blind and deaf, could see God. No doubt, in her silent darkness, every fragrant flower, every ray of the warm sun, every taste that touched her tongue told her that there was a God who created all things.
AMEN