The Devil Wears Nike...or Does He?

Lil Nas X has sold his sole to the Devil.

Country music singing legend Charlie Daniels made famous a song titled, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Maybe Charlie was on to something. Lil Nas X, also known as Montero Lamar Hill was born in Lithia Springs Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. I'm not insinuating that Montero is Lucifer, but he certainly has a fascination with him.

Over the weekend, rapper Lil Nas X, of "Old Town Road" fame, caused quite a stir. He announced a shoe collaboration with MSCHF. The streetwear company modified 666 pairs of Nike Shoes at the behest of Lil Nas X. The modified Nike Air Max 97s, sport a pentagram pendant and a reference to Luke 10:18, a Bible verse about Satan's fall from heaven. That reference is made in the form of the price tag. People paid a hefty $1018 to wear this devilish footwear.

But, there's something else about the shoes raising eyebrows and the ire of many religious people. Each 'Satan' shoe contains 60 cubic centimeters of red ink and one drop of human blood. Some simply label this pushing the envelope for fame and fortune. I would call it pushing the envelope of human decency. Granted, goats or human sacrifice didn't supply the blood, but the thought of walking around with someone else's body fluid on the soles of your feet should make the average person squirm.

Blood isn't the only outrageous addition to the Nike Air Max 97s. To add fuel to the ample outrage over these modified tennis shoes, the rapper also released an outlandish music video. In this video, Lil Nas X pretends to eat a fruit in the Garden of Eden, falls into Hell and entertains a devilish creature with a sensual dance. Then, he snaps the devil's neck, removes the horned crown and assumes it himself. Some see this as harmless entertainment, released for publicity and the shock factor. But for religious people, particularly Christians, this product flirts with spiritual darkness and extends an invitation for demonic activity.

At first, many believed that Nike was issuing a new shoe release. The Company was quick to distance themselves from this project. A company spokesman said,

"We do not have a relationship with Lil Nas or MSCHF. Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them."

Sadly, according to CNN Style, the sneakers sold out in less than a minute. MSCHF expressed shock at the furor over the Satan Shoes, believing the gimmick item was all in fun. Obviously, the company knows little about the Biblical perspectives taught concerning messing with the principalities and powers of the spiritual world. But, that is MSCHF and the rapper's choice. I can only warn people about the dangers of wooing the Prince of Darkness.

And the key word is choice.

I have previously written two other pieces about Cancel Culture and my disdain for the movement. (You can read those here and here.) I won't be demanding these sneakers be removed from society. I won't lead a march to burn downtown Portland because a company dared market "Satan Shoes." I won't call supporters of the footwear anti-Christian or anti-Christs. But that doesn't mean I will remain silent. I'll inform people about the shoes, especially parents of children and teenagers, and the message being heralded by an obviously unstable individual. How will I personally cancel Lil Nas X? I'll not support his music or buy his shoes. If you want to support his endeavors, fine. Do so.

But don't say you haven't been warned. Don't sell your sole to the devil, too.