Baptized Quote by Diadochos of Photiki
“The reason that we have both good and wicked thoughts together is not, as some suppose, because the Holy Spirit and the devil dwell together in our intellect, but because we have not yet consciously experienced the goodness of the Lord. As I have said before, grace at first conceals its presence in those who have been baptized, waiting to see which way the soul inclines; but when the whole man has turned toward the Lord, it then reveals to the heart its presence there with a feeling words cannot express.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Spiritual Guidance, 5th century Byzantine
Good and wicked thoughts coexist because we haven't yet fully experienced divine goodness, which remains hidden until the soul turns toward the Lord
In simple terms: Our mind holds both good and bad until we truly encounter divine love
Key Takeaway
Seek sincere experience of divine goodness
Themes
spiritual conflict
human nature
divine grace
Mood
reflective
contemplative
Type
theological
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- spiritual counseling
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
theology
inner transformation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we open ourselves to divine presence?
- What practices help reveal inner goodness?
A Different Perspective
Spiritual insight may be delayed by personal resistance
![“If god really wanted people to be free of [wicked thoughts], he should have taken more care to invent a different species.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f5c/christopher-hitchens-117_care_if-god-really-wanted-people-to-be-free-o_1481457.jpg)
