Just Don't Do It

It would be a hard-pressed chore to find someone who has not heard of, or does not own merchandise from, the giant company Nikeâ„-. Almost everyone is familiar with the largest sportswear industry in the world. Nike's slogan is arguably one of the most universally recognizable, and well known. Many of the most popular athletes such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, and Lance Armstrong endorse Nike. These big names help publicize and add to the "cool factor" one has when wearing Nike products.

However, few people like to admit the reason they purchase Nike products. Common answers as to why they pick this particular brand will generally be similar to something such as they like the style of clothing, shoes, etc., that Nike provides. They may claim the style is what they find appealing, but if given a choice between two otherwise identical shirts, one with a swoosh logo, the other without; chances are they will pick the one with the logo. Most are reluctant to confess that their desire to be popular and accepted is the true reason for their choice in apparel. The drive of one's image is the main force in play.

If the sole purpose for any purchase is for image only, then the motivation is wrong. By definition, idolatry is excessive attachment or veneration to anything, including oneself. Shifting the focus to self instead of God leads to a form of idolatry. Left untreated, it will only continue to consume the individual, moving them farther and farther from the true God. This idolatry must be abolished.

Before concluding Nike products are fine as long as they are in moderation, understand this was a generalization. Nike is in its own category because of what they represent.

Do not be tempted into defending Nike as nothing more that meaning victory. They shamelessly acknowledge their connection to Greek mythology, in which Nike is the name of the Goddess of Victory. The company Nike representatively named themselves after the Greek goddess to embolden athletes with victory. This seems innocent enough, right? Victory is a good thing. But look at what Nike says in their own Consumer Affairs packet from 1996:

The NIKE 'swoosh' embodies the spirit of the winged goddess who inspired the most courageous and chivalrous warriors at the dawn of civilization."

The 'swoosh' embodies the spirit of the winged goddess? Nike is fully endorsing their affiliation with this Greek goddess. A Christian given the option to wear a shirt that had the name of the Canaanite god, Baal, would likely decline. But what is the difference between a Canaanite god and a Greek god? Both are false. Both compete with the one, true God.

One might argue that wearing an article of clothing bearing the name of a false god is not necessarily bowing down or worshipping them. This line of thinking is centered on the desire to justify what one wants to do. Everyone knows the First Commandment, which says, "You shall have no other gods before Me". But they want to skirt around that command by claiming that wearing clothing with the name of another god is not putting that god before the true God. It is without a doubt that Jesus would not be seen wearing anything pertaining to any god other than His Father. Why then, should anyone calling himself a child of God knowing that Jesus would not affiliate himself with another god in any way, do so himself?

Exodus 20:3 says to have no other gods before Him. He continues in the Second Commandment saying not to make carved images and worship them. If this is not enough evidence of God's jealousy, how about what God told the Israelites to do with the pagan images of the armies they defeated? The end of Deuteronomy chapter 7, starting in verse 24 says, "And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing." The Lord commanded the