The Swoosh

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”  1 John 5:4-5

The Nike logo—the Swoosh—may be the most recognized symbol in sports. When we see it we immediately think of Nike the sports company. But after studying 1 John 5:4-5 it now reminds me that I can be an overcomer through the power of Christ at work in me.

The Swoosh motivates me to be an overcomer because the word “overcomes” in these verses comes from the Greek root word “nike” which is defined as “the means to victory.” “The World” in these verses is the world system that tempts us to be self-serving and promotes notions such as, “I don’t need God” and “Faith is a crutch for the weak.”

The key point of these verses is that our ability to overcome the temptation of the world is found in our identity with God. It’s the child of God who overcomes the world. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world” (vs. 4). We don’t overcome the world by our own strength, or smarts, or sheer will power. We overcome by trusting God day by day. Faith is the victory. “Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (vs. 5). 

When we see the Swoosh, may it remind us we have the means to victory each day of our lives as we study scripture and trust God to guide us in our thoughts and decisions. Will you be an overcomer?