I was shown that this device of Satan would not have taken so readily in Wisconsin if the minds and hearts of God's people had been united and in union with the work. The spirit of jealousy and suspicion still existed in the minds of some. The seed sown by the Messenger party had not been entirely rooted out. And while they professed to receive the third angel's message, their former feelings and prejudices had not been given up. Their faith was adulterated, and they were prepared for Satan's deception. Those who drank in the Messenger spirit must make clean work, and have every particle of it rooted out, and receive the spirit of the third angel's message, or it will cleave to them like the leprosy, making it easy for them to draw off from their brethren in present truth. It will be easy for them to think that they can go, an independent company, alone to heaven, and easy for them to fall into Satan's snare. He is very unwilling to let go his hold in Wisconsin. He has other deceptions…
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
The EGW passage directly addresses the importance of unity within the church to resist Satan's influence, echoing the principle of maintaining unity of the Spirit found in Ephesians 4:3.
"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"
The EGW passage speaks of 'seed sown' and the need to root out 'former feelings and prejudices,' which aligns with the warning in Hebrews 12:15 about the danger of a 'root of bitterness' causing trouble and defilement.
"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:"
Both passages discuss the need to remove something corrupting from within a group of believers. Paul uses the metaphor of leaven, while White uses the metaphor of a lingering negative influence that must be rooted out like leprosy. The core idea of purification and removing corruption connects them.
I saw that persons who had been so enshrouded in darkness and deception that Satan had controlled not only the mind but the body, would have to take a most humble place in the church of God. He will not commit the care of His flock to unwise shepherds, who would mistake and feed them poison instead of wholesome food. God will have men care for the flock who can feed them with clean provender, thoroughly winnowed. Oh, what a blot, what a reproach, have these fanatical movements brought upon the cause of God! And those who held so fast to this spirit of dark fanaticism, notwithstanding the plain evidences that it was from Satan, are not to be relied upon; their judgment is not to be considered of any weight. God sent His servants to Brother and Sister G. They despised correction, and chose their own course. Brother G was jealous and stubborn, and his future course must be marked with great humility; for he has proved himself unworthy of the confidence of God's people. His heart is not ri…
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?"
Both passages discuss the responsibility of shepherds (leaders) to properly feed and care for their flock, warning against those who would harm or mislead them.
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Both passages warn against false teachers/prophets who appear harmless but are inwardly destructive. The 'unwise shepherds' who 'feed them poison' in EGW's writing aligns with the 'ravening wolves' in sheep's clothing in Matthew.