"Your wife does not venture to open her heart to you; for as soon as she utters a sentiment differing from you, you repel it. You talk so strong that she has no courage to say another word. You are not one in heart. You take a position above her and maintain a bearing as though her judgment and opinion were of no account. You consider your spiritual attainments far in advance of hers. My brother, you do not know yourself. God looks at the heart, not at the words or profession. The externals do not weigh with God as with men. A humble heart and a contrite spirit God values. Our Saviour is acquainted with the life conflicts of every soul. He judgeth not according to appearances, but righteously. 2T 418.1"
"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
Both passages address the husband-wife relationship, emphasizing the importance of respect, honor, and understanding. The EGW passage elaborates on the consequences of a husband's domineering attitude, aligning with the principle of dwelling with wives 'according to knowledge' and giving them honor, as stated in 1 Peter 3:7.
"Your spirit is strong. When you take a position you do not weigh the matter well and consider what must be the effect of your maintaining your views and in an independent manner weaving them into your prayers and conversation, when you know that your wife does not hold the same views that you do. Instead of respecting the feelings of your wife, and kindly avoiding, as a gentleman would, those subjects upon which you know you differ, you have been forward to dwell upon objectionable points, and have manifested a persistency in expressing your views regardless of any around you. You have felt that others had no right to see matters differently from yourself. These fruits do not grow upon the Christian tree. 2T 418.2"
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
The EGW passage describes a husband who is insistent on his own views and disregards his wife's feelings. This directly contradicts the principle of humility and considering others better than oneself, as taught in Philippians 2:3.
"In the case of Sister N, you did not view things in their true light. If she had been healed in answer to the prayers of yourself and others, it would have proved the ruin of more than two or three of you. A wise God had oversight of this matter. He could read the motives and purposes of the heart. 2T 418.3"
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
Both passages emphasize that God sees beyond outward appearances and knows the motives of the heart. The EGW passage illustrates this principle in the context of a healing, while 1 Samuel 16:7 presents it in the context of choosing a king.