Forgiveness is real. The destruction of sin and guilt is real. The new relationship with God is real. It is equally true that Satan is just as real after baptism as he is before. Evil has the same power and force in the world and in life after baptism as before.
Temptation is just as real after baptism as before.
We must not create the illusion that conversion to Christ is just a matter of learning the right rules and regulations, doing the right do s , refusing to do the wrong don't s , and taking the right stand on the right issues. When faith and repentance are combined with baptism, you have a birth. The rest of the person's life will be spent in learning, understanding, developing, growing, and maturing. The new is not a quick fix. The new is relationship with God.