Decision-Making Mechanics Key to Transformational Living and Sermon Application By Karl Benzio, MD

Decision-Making Mechanics

Key to Transformational Living and Sermon Application

By Karl Benzio, MD

Karl’s Story

Why did I become a

psychiatrist?

Copyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Karl’s First Beer


Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?

Why did Jesus say He came?


Start a Behavioral Health Revolution!

Isaiah 61:1-3• The Lord God has put his Spirit in me, because the Lord has ·appointed

[anointed] me to ·tell [bring] the good news to the poor. He has sent me to ·comfort [bind up] those whose hearts are broken,to tell the captives they are free, and to tell the prisoners they are released.

• He has sent me to announce the ·time when the Lord will show his kindness [year of the Lord’s favor; C an allusion to the Year of Jubilee; Lev. 25:10; Luke 4:18–19] and the ·time when our God will punish evil people [L day of vengeance of our God].He has sent me to comfort all those who ·are sad [mourn]

• and to help the ·sorrowing [mourning] people of ·Jerusalem [L Zion; C location of the Temple; 59:20].I will give them a ·crown [garland; headdress] to replace their ashes, and the oil of ·gladness [joy] to replace their ·sorrow [mourning], and ·clothes [a garment] of praise to replace their ·spirit of sadness [discouragement; heavy heart].


John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may havelife and have it abundantly.


Luke 5:30b-32• 30 … “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors

and sinners?” [Tax collectors were despised because they worked for the Roman rulers and were notorious for corruption and extortion.]

• 31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to ·invite [call] ·good people [the righteous; meaning the “self-righteous” who feel no need to repent] but sinners to ·change their hearts and lives [repentance].”


Luke 5:12-13• 12 When Jesus was in one of the towns, there was a man

covered with ·a skin disease [T leprosy; C the term does not refer to modern leprosy (Hansen’s disease), but to various skin disorders; see Lev. 14]. When he saw Jesus, he ·bowed [L fell on his face] before him and ·begged [implored] him, “Lord, you can ·heal me [L make me clean; C such skin disorders rendered the victim ceremonially unclean] if you ·will [choose; are willing].”

• 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I ·will [do choose; am willing]. Be ·healed [L cleansed]!” Immediately the disease ·disappeared [left him].


Matthew 13:14-15

• Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:– “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you

will indeed see but never perceive.”– For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their

ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed,lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their earsand understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’



Start a Behavioral Health Revolution!

ESTHER 4:14

• For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 12

Statistics– Addictions are the #1 killer from diseases or accidents caused by

alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, addictive eating, and addictive medications

– Suicide is the #3 killer in the U.S. when adding all the unreported and passive suicides

– 46.4% lifetime prevalence of a major Behavioral Health issue– 39.4% having Mental Illness– 14.6% having Substance Abuse Disorders– 47% this year will have a substance or process(behavior like

gambling, shopping, internet, etc) addiction – this doesn't include caffeine or pornography, the most widely addicting chemical and behavior in the U.S. and world

– 61% have lifetime prevalence of a intermediate BH issue impacting their functioning

– Biblically, we are all addicts, broken, weakCopyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

HELP! I prayed, took meds, and love

my mother!I’m DYING

Psychological Defect-Tell me about your

mother!

Sin- Have more Faith!

Disease- Take your MEDS!


Man’s Biggest Obstacle?

Psychological/PsychiatricNo Brain Transplant

Luke 8:21

Jesus answered them, “My mother and my brothers [or brothers and sisters] are those who listen to God’s ·teaching [word] and obey [do; practice] it!”


Luke 10:25-2825 Then an expert on the law stood up to test Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to ·get life forever [L inherit eternal life]?”26 Jesus said, “What is written in the law? ·What do you read there [or How do you interpret it]?”27 The man answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. Also, Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” 28 Jesus said to him, “Your answer is right. Do this and you will live.”


Decision-Making StruggleRomans 7:15-25

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.


Man’s Biggest Obstacle

• When an athlete chokes• Peter’s Denial of Christ• Peter walking on water, then sinking• Baggage, Distorted Lenses and Poor

Emotional Management• Life is 100% Mental


SCIENCE AND FAITH

• Darwin and Freud

• Faith: the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

• Science: Hard Data, Measurables

• Definitions Collide• Do they work together?


SCIENCE AND FAITH

Benzio’s ‘Science’ is:• The study of what God made

• Understanding how He designed it to work

• Learning how to maximally steward it for God’s glory and our abundant living Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 27

God’s Great GiftsMind/HeartFree Will: Decision Making


Science is a tool.So let’s not ignore science.

Psychiatric Science

Bridge between Biblical Truth and Biblical Living

Your wish is my

command!

SOLOMON1 Kings 3:5, 9-11

The Most Important Spiritual Discipline:

Decision-Making

10 Reasons Why



Decision-Making1. Solomon’s Wish, God was pleased

Most Important Spiritual Discipline/Skill

2. God’s greatest gift you have 100% control of3. Spiritual Act of Worship Rom 12:1-24. Divinely Powerful Weapon 2 Cor 10:3-65. Constant Mode of Prayer/Communication 1 Thes

5:16-226. Wellspring of Life Prov 4:237. Key to Your Life Deut 308. Brain Exercise = Renews the Mind

Neurobiological Intervention

9. Intersection of Spirit, Mind, and Body; Science / Faith10.Light for Evangelism

Romans 12 : 1-2

I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the your spiritual act of worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is-what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6


Goal: Mind of Christ

Jesus’ Brain = Perfection!

1. Perceived everything from a Godly perspective

2. Responded with Biblical skills


BrainWorks – My Brain

Based on new scientific research, my brain does 2 things


Perceives

Responds

BrainWorks Research

Skin

GI / Cardiac

Panic Disorder Study


Panic Disorder and DepressionBefore and After St. John’s Wort and

EMDR


Heart of Transformation: Decision-Making

• No biological Intervention• But Brain Chemistry Improved/Renewed

Decision-making is exercise for brain• Good decisions = stronger brain• Bad decisions = injured brain


What determines accurate Perception and Response?Human Manuals – Distort lenses and responseHoly Bible – God’s Instruction Manual

DM: Science and Faith MeetPractical Theology

Integration and DM are Key!


Mind

SpiritBody

Decision-Making =

Spirit, Mind, & Body

Integration

DM: SMBI• Brain Chemistry – powerful gift is final

step of decisions• Mind – Free Will God gives us – DM =

EXERCISE for brain chemistry – Perceive/Respond– EXERCISE for brain chemistry

• Spirit – BIBLE principles and their application determines Decision Making Skills

• Decision-Making the intersection for Spirit, Mind, and Body

• Therapy is a neurobiological interventionCopyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Decision-Making• Classes in DM?• Bible

– Jesus, Paul, Solomon, David, Peter, James– Biographies of good and bad

• Most people – Random– E-M-M-M, R-P-S, Dice, Magic 8 Ball, Coin Flip

• Bible– Gideon’s fleece, Cast lots, Urim and

Thumim, Prayer Dreams

• Strategy NecessaryCopyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Decision-Making Strategy

• How many Decisions per day?

• Decisions Determine the course of your life.

• Decisions determine whether your brain gets stronger or weaker

• How do you make decisions?Copyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Got Questions?


Braveheart

Les Miserables

Bread Analogy



SPEARS = Practical Theology

Psychotherapeutics• CBT• DBT• REBT• EFT• Mindfulness• Meditation• Psychodynamic

Psychotx• Motivational

Interviewing

Spiritual• Jesus Christ• Holy Spirit• Bible



SPEARS• Slow the action• All the elements• Right sequence• Requires thought• Requires intention• Requires practice


Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought

Stimuli

• Stimuli is anything that acts on or mobilizes your coping mechanisms

• All stimuli is neutral

• God is sovereign


Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought

What word do you see?


Test

• How many squares are there?

• Hint: What is the most important question?

• Is this the only way to view this?


Perception Exercise

• Things are not always as they seem: 84!

• Assumptions• Jumping to

conclusions• Knee-jerk reactions


Perception

• Perception is what really drives the decision-making process

• Subconscious• We are usually unaware of

perception because it occurs so fast in the decision-making process

• Adversary with a Strategy


Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought

Devil Dogs


Bell

Bell

Bell

Meat

Meat

No Drool

Drool

Drool

Drool

Filters

•Greatest Perceived ThreatGPT•Greatest Perceived NeedGPN•Life Depends On LDO•Confidence C•MotivationM


Emotions


God has lots of emotions!

• Anger – Mat 23, Mark 3, John 2, 2 Kings 24• Jealousy – Exodus 20, Deut 6• Sad/Wept – Luke 19, John 11, Heb 5• Troubled – John 12• Forsaken – Matt 27• Abandoned – Matt 27• Tempted – Matt 4• Worried – Luke 22


Emotion• Warning system• Not a decision-

making system• Distort reality

- Court- Doctors

• Volume Buttons• Biblical truths soothe


Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought

Assessment

• Who is stronger: a tiger or a man?

• Emotional and intellectual volume– We fail when we let

our emotions rule our intellect

– Poor tolerance and soothing of negative feelings


Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought

Assessment• Options• Pros and Cons

• Weigh pros and cons using the filters (GPT, GPN, LDO, C, M)– SMB Damage/growth– Motivators


Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought

Response

• We need a relationship with God

• We need to put on the Armor of God

• Is this helping me or others become more Christ-like?

• WWJD?• Mark 12:30• Sometimes a combo of

optionsCopyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought

Summary Thought

• After review of each element

• Celebrate our successes, and learn from our failures

• Are my responses working for long term health

• Heart Change• Self-reflection and

assessment is paramount• Autopsy


Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought

Driving Force for Dysfunction

PAIN

Old BeliefsNew Beliefs

Stimuli

Perception

Emotion

Assessment

Response

Summary Thought


Main ProblemsOLD Beliefs-Lies NEW Beliefs-TruthNegative feelings are bad Negative feelings are our warning

system

I am all alone Jesus is with me, hook his yoke

We can’t endure negative feelings

We can endure and grow;God will meet us and give peace

We only have skills and of 8 yo We have skills and of an adult

Talking about them is bad Talking abut them is good

One variable is same, so all are same

One variable is same, so only one is same


Deconstruction/Reconstruction

• Prospective• Retrospective – Autopsy• Flexibility• Journaling• Thinking about it more – then real time use• Skills need Practice• Behavioral Change• Examination of Heart• Heart Change leads to Real Transformation• Motivators for Change


Sermon Implementation

• Teach knowing SPEARS– What does this passage teach me about God’s

Perspective, Promises, Instruction– What does this passage show me about My Me-

centered Perspective or Distortions, – What does this passage teach me about Decision-

Making– What specific way can I apply this passage today to

my lenses, pain and emotion management, heart, and ultimate daily execution (decision-making)

• Inspire and EquipCopyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Hardware Summary

• Most important Spiritual Discipline• Bible talks the most about DM• Exercise for the Brain, Spirit, Mind• Intersection of S,M,B• Intersection of Science and Faith• Need a Strategy, Slow the Mind• SPEARS• Reveals what’s in the Heart• Easiest way to reflect/detect/resurrect


DM Key Points

Summary• Jesus started a BH Revolution• We are called to continue it• Decision-Making Skills are the Key to

Practical Theology• Bible is an incredible DM textbook• DM Mechanics truly allow us to

– slow the mind down– Take every thought captive to the

obedience of JC– Apply the Bible accurately and thoroughly

• DM – turns knowledge into applicationCopyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Lighthouse NETWORK Resources

• WITHIN REACH: Disciplines for Real Life Change– 10+ Hours of DVD– 140 Page Workbook

• EDGING FORWARD: Mastering the Art of Godly Decision-Making– 8 Chapels(25 min each) on DVD

• Free Stepping Stones Daily Devotional – Emailed daily

• Life Change with Dr Karl Radio Minute – 460 Christian Radio Stations

• Addiction: Sin, Disease, or Psychological Defect DVD• Can Psych Meds Help Christians? DVD• Depression, Cutting, Bipolar DVDs• No Other Gods (SPEARS and example) DVDCopyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Lighthouse Network Helpline

• Finds addiction and MH treatment options.• Expertise about all elements of the system• Free to client• Saves the clinician incredible amounts of time• We find great options for struggling people

844-Life-ChangeCopyright 2014 - Lighthouse Network

Got Questions?


DeconstructionS – “Screen Door is Broken”

P – Rubik – Intruding on my agenda for the dayGPT – not good enough, incompetent, not in controlGPN – control, competency, power, authorityLDO – me being in charge to minimize pain C – my ability to control and manipulate, verbally argue, control = power = soothingM – not feel the pain, be in charge or in control, do what I want to do when I want to do it


DeconstructionE – incompetent, worthless, failure, poor

husband, falling behind, angry, E Volume = 8 T Volume = 1

A – ignore, yell(leave me alone, I’m busy), shift blame(you and girls broke it), pick on her(laundry not done), pros/cons based on my filters/motivators

R – ignore, then blame themST – got her off my back and on a different topic,

get to do my agenda and watch the gamePain – incompetence, no control, exposed, out of

agendaold beliefs: I’m a little kid, people

telling me what to do, blaming me, I’m responsible for their feelings, this will ruin my day and all the other activities


ReconstructionPain – new beliefs:

Neg feelings are only warning system, God is sharing my yoke, God provides peace and comfort, I’m an adult, Won’t last long

He brought this for a reason for my growth so embrace it


ReconstructionS – “Screen Door is Broken”

P – Rubik – Opportunity and chance to serve my wife

GPT – dishonoring God, Flesh on throne, out of God’s will

SMB impact, hurting my wifeGPN – God’s will, please God, SMB growth, fruit of Spirit, LDO – Mind of Christ – SMB growth, AmbassadorC – God’s promises, Love, Forgiveness, Character, Instruction, His plan has worked in the pastM – SMB growth, Fruit of Spirit, giving back to God


ReconstructionE – interested, curious, connected to wife, slight excitement, sl financial worry but know God provides

E Volume = + 4 -1.5 T Volume = 8A – “wait till I am finished”, teamwork – call handyman, check our budget, go to home depot together

pros/cons based on my filters/motivatorsR – ask her to wait 15 minutes then we check it together, agree we can live with it but if it gets worse, call handyman for adviceST – honored God, wife, myself, SPEARS was good, SMB +,

fruit of spirit, no fruit of fleshPain – not much relational and was able to rely on God to see me thru the slight disruption and financial concern


Documents

Decision-Making Mechanics Key to Transformational Living and Sermon Application By Karl Benzio, MD