💧 With Christ in Baptism and Temptation ⚔️ If after baptism the persecutor and tempter of the light assail you (for he assailed even the Word my God through the veil), you have the means to conquer him. Fear not the conflict; defend yourself with the Water; defend yourself with the Spirit, by Which all the fiery darts of the wicked shall be quenched. ... If he wrestle against you to a fall through avarice, showing you all the Kingdoms at one instant and in the twinkling of an eye, as belonging to himself, and demand your worship, despise him as a beggar. Say to him relying on the Seal, “I am myself the Image of God; ... I have put on Christ; I have been transformed into Christ by Baptism; worship you me.” Well do I know that he will depart, defeated and put to shame by this; as he did from Christ the first Light, so he will from those who are illumined by Christ. ... Let us then be baptized that we may win the victory. _St Gregory Nazianzen, Oration 40, 10-11; NPNF 2nd Ser, Vol VII, p 362-363. #Baptism #Temptation #SpiritualWarfare #ImageOfGod #VictoryInChrist