Satan will present the path of holiness as difficult while the paths of worldly pleasure are strewed with flowers. In false and flattering colors will the tempter array the world with its pleasures before you. Vanity is one of the strongest traits of our depraved natures, and he knows that he can appeal to it successfully. He will flatter you through his agents. You may receive praise which will gratify your vanity and foster in you pride and self-esteem, and you may think that with such advantages and attractions it really is a great pity for you to come out from the world and be separate, and become a Christian, to forsake your companions, and be alike dead to their praise or censure. Satan tells you that with the advantages which you possess you could to a high degree enjoy the pleasures of the world. But consider that the pleasures of earth will have an end, and that which you sow you must also reap. Are personal attractions, ability, or talents too valuable to devote to God, the A…
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"
The EGW passage directly echoes the call to 'come out from among them, and be ye separate' when it speaks of the difficulty of separating from the world and becoming a Christian.
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
The EGW passage discusses the allure of worldly pleasures and vanity, which directly aligns with 1 John 2:16's description of 'the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life' as being 'of the world.'
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
The EGW passage contrasts the 'path of holiness' with the 'paths of worldly pleasure,' mirroring the 'strait gate' and 'wide gate' imagery in Matthew 7:13. Both passages highlight the difficulty of choosing the path of righteousness over the allure of worldly temptations.