Phyllis Beveridge Nissila`

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit… (Matthew 7:15-18, NKJV)

In A Word

Sustainable: able to be maintained or continued  (Cambridge online dictionary).

God’s version of sustainability (might as well go right to the genesis), that of  maintaining and continuing the balance of nature and the continuation of mankind, has always been the goal of true stewards of nature and its inhabitants.

Man’s new version of sustainability, conjured up by politicians and social engineers who have co-opted the term for political and economic gain, is not exactly how it’s advertised, that is, to be the same noble cause it has always been. Else, why would they need a new definition?

So get ready for the new definition, linked below*.

First, however, a little perspective regarding today’s man-made brand of sustainability.

In A Word Salad

But working hard to co-opt the term has been a good way to dress up a lie with a little bit of truth, if just in word only. And there is some truth spread about elsewhere in the unbelievably complex definition, too. I mean, it’s always a good thing to want to avoid environmental messes or to clean them up, then make sure they don’t happen again. Right?

This kind of psychological operation, i.e, hijacking a perfectly good idea and twisting it around to suit the current “stewards,” in this case arguably power-mongering ideologues, has been pretty effectively done by suggesting that the modern term promises the same old good stuff brought to us for centuries by those invested in sensible, intelligent means and mechanisms to keep both planet and population functioning as designed.

However, the new term, which might even be described as anti-sustainability by its both intended and unintended consequences once they emerge,  is frequently significantly different from the classic term once you dig into it and read the reports in real time of how many of its policies fail (for just one example, see this report on electric cars and the truth about their carbon emissions.)

Bad fruit, to be sure, along with dirtier air.

But back to the new, and alleged improved, version of sustainability.

They’ve made a change, here, a deletion, there, and on another umpteen pages, any number of mind-numbing additions, as in, politicizations, suggestions, social cause buzz words, and emotional manipulations to try to bring the sale to a close.

Also, the trick of putting an old, trusted title on a new spin is one of the most effective propaganda techniques, called “association fallacy”.

*Case in point.–linked on the left is the new definition, folks. I warned ya. 

Of course, you can figure it out by examining the consequences of the new definition, for example, by a little honest research such as on the true effects of electric cars, evidenced above in the linked article, but who would have the time or interest, let alone the ability to stay focused while attempting to read through such a, well, word salad and connect the dots to reality?

And that right there is another old-fashioned psyop: keep them dazed and confused until they just can’t take it anymore and just give up and give in. To put it in common sense vernacular: “if you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with (bee ess).”

Which is Which?

Because it is so easy–albeit time-consuming–to be mystified by the propaganda and to have missed the shenanigans going on behind closed curtains when it comes to taking a perfectly good idea and twisting it to often mean–and to result in–the opposite, one needs to go right to the logical conclusion by cutting to the chase, in this case, discerning the spirits, i.e., attitudes, motivations, and intents, that power each definition.

On the Spirits Behind Man’s New Version 

Arguably, in many cases,

• power
• politics
• profit, and
• population control

However, despite the best propaganda money can buy, such political and/or social movements, no matter what term they hijack (also popular today are the terms social justice, peace and safety, and equity), have been historically short-lived and end not in the preservation and maintenance of environments and mankind but in tragedies everywhere and of all kinds.

On the Spirit, As in Holy, Behind God’s Timeless Version

As chronicled clearly in His Word, the Bible, crafted not only for a new age but also for the ages, not only for here but also for hereafter, God’s sustainability is powered–and evidenced–by:

• love
• joy
• peace
• patience
• kindness
• goodness
• faithfulness
• gentleness, and
• self-control (see Galations chapter 5: 22-23)

This power, collectively, is gifted to us via God’s Spirit Who dwells within all those who are “born again“. You might call it a literal inside job, requiring but to put one’s faith and trust in God and follow His commands, guidance, and leadership, which results in the most and best kind of sustainable living–and sustainable policies not only for the environment but also in relationships, institutions, and all other aspects of life.

Additionally, historically, the fruit of God’s Spirit evidenced in His people** has ultimately triumphed over man’s bad fruit in every age, and enables believers not only to be conquerors but also overcomers (see Romans 8:37) no matter what political or social cause célèbre is wreaking havoc in the world around them at the moment.

Even better news: God’s sustainable practices powered by his Spirit also keep the intellectual, emotional, psychological, and spiritual pathways open, you might put it, and cleared for greater access to critical thinking which works in tandem with spiritual growth and awareness; whereas mankind’s practices often keep us corralled in the “base of the brain” in fear.

And Jesus, God’s Son, paid the price long ago, for this freedom, love, joy, peace, patience…

Even now.

Be encouraged.

Stay His course.

~~~~~

**For more information on why and how those who put their faith and trust in God for the power behind His original brand of “sustainability,” see ABCs of Salvation.