John Piper helps us flee from lust by encouraging us to rely on Love, the God-man and Savior, Jesus Christ. Who came to love. Who died for love. And who lives today so that we can know true love. He puts his help in the form of an acronym, A N T H E M.
A - AVOID as much as is possible and reasonable the sights and situations that arouse unfitting desire. "Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness" (2 Timothy 2:22). "Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Romans 13:14).
N - Say NO to every lustful thought within five seconds. And say it with the authority of Jesus Christ. "In the name of Jesus, NO!" " Strike fast and strike hard. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
T - TURN the mind forcefully toward Christ as a superior satisfaction. Saying "no" will not suffice. The Bible calls lusts "deceitful desires" (Ephesians 4:22). They lie. They promise more than they can deliver. We must stock our minds with the superior promises and pleasures of Jesus. Then we must turn to them immediately after saying, "NO!"
H - HOLD the promise and the pleasure of Christ firmly in your mind until it pushes the other images out. "Fix your eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1). Here is where many fail. They give in too soon. They say, "I tried to push it out, and it didn't work." I ask, "How long did you try?" How hard did you exert your mind? The mind is a muscle. You can flex it with vehemence. Take the kingdom violently (Matthew 11:12).
E - ENJOY a superior satisfaction. Cultivate the capacities for pleasure in Christ. One reason lust reigns in so many is that Christ has so little appeal. We default to deceit because we have little delight in Christ.
M - MOVE into a useful activity away from idleness and other vulnerable behaviors. Lust grows fast in the garden of leisure. Find a good work to do, and do it with all your might. "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord" (Romans 12:11).
HT: Desiring God
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