God's people should be governed by higher principles than worldlings, who seek to gauge all their course of action according to fashion. God-fearing parents should train their children for a life of usefulness. They should not permit their principles of government to be tainted with the extravagant notions prevailing in this age, that they must conform to the fashions and be governed by the opinions of worldlings. They should not permit their children to choose their own associates. Teach them that it is your duty to choose for them. Prepare them to bear burdens while young. If your children have been unaccustomed to labor, they will soon become weary. They will complain of side ache, pain in the shoulders, and tired limbs; and you will be in danger, through sympathy, of doing the work yourselves, rather than have them suffer a little. Let the burden upon the children be very light at first, and then increase it a little every day, until they can do a proper amount of labor without bec…
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Both passages emphasize the importance of training children in a specific way, with the expectation that this training will have lasting effects. EGW expands on the practical application of this principle.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
EGW's admonition against conforming to worldly fashions and opinions directly reflects the principle in Romans 12:2, which urges believers to be transformed rather than conformed to the world.
"And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."
Both passages address the fleeting nature of worldly fashions and the need to prioritize higher principles. EGW's passage specifically criticizes conforming to worldly fashions, while 1 Corinthians 7:31 warns against abusing the world because its fashion is passing away.
"There is a class of young ladies in this age who are merely useless creatures, only good to breathe, eat, wear, chat, and talk nonsense, while they hold in their fingers a bit of embroidery or crochet. But few of the youth show real sound judgment and good common sense. They lead a butterfly life with no special object in view. When this class of worldly associates get together, about all you can hear is a few silly remarks about dress, or some frivolous matter, and then they laugh at their own remarks which they consider very bright. This is frequently done in the presence of older persons, who can but feel saddened at such lack of reverence for their years. These youth seem to have lost all sense of modesty and good manners. Yet the manner in which they have been instructed leads them to think it the height of gentility. 1T 394.2"
"And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."
Both passages critique idleness and frivolous behavior, particularly among young women. EGW describes young ladies engaged in useless activities and silly conversations, while 1 Timothy 5:13 condemns idleness, tattling, and busybodying.
"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
Both passages touch on the expected behavior of women. EGW criticizes the lack of discretion and good manners in young ladies, while Titus 2:5 encourages women to be discreet, chaste, and keepers at home. There is a thematic overlap in the expectations of proper conduct.