Professed Christians, worldly Christians, are unacquainted with heavenly things. They will never be brought to the gates of the New Jerusalem to engage in exercises which have not hitherto specially interested them. They have not trained their minds to delight in devotion and in meditation upon things of God and heaven. How, then, can they engage in the services of heaven? how delight in the spiritual, the pure, the holy in heaven, when it was not a special delight to them upon earth? The very atmosphere there will be purity itself. But they are unacquainted with it all. When in the world, pursuing their worldly vocations, they knew just where to take hold and just what to do. The lower order of faculties being in so constant exercise, grew, while the higher, nobler powers of the mind, not being strengthened by use, are incapable of awaking at once to spiritual exercises. Spiritual things are not discerned, because they are viewed with world-loving eyes, which cannot estimate the value…
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
The EGW passage strongly parallels 1 Corinthians 2:14. Both texts discuss the inability of worldly-minded individuals to understand or appreciate spiritual things. The EGW passage elaborates on this concept by describing how a lack of focus on heavenly matters hinders one's ability to engage in spiritual exercises.
"and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Ample provisions are made by Christ to satisfy the soul that hungers and thirsts for righteousness. 2T 265.2"
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Matthew 5:6, emphasizing the provision made by Christ to satisfy those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.