"Sister P should be guarded so as not to stir up the hasty spirit of her husband by relating her supposed grievances to him to obtain sympathy. He views things in a strong light and feels deeply over matters which are not worthy of notice. She will have to learn this and understand that it is wisdom to be silent. She needs the power of endurance. It is much easier to throw a thing into the mind than to get it out when once it is there. It is easier to dwell upon a supposed wrong than to pacify or control the feelings when once aroused. 2T 430.2"
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."
The proverb warns against repeating matters that cause division, while the EGW passage applies this principle to a specific marital situation, advising silence to avoid stirring up conflict.
"Brother P has qualities which would be excellent if they were refined by the elevating influences of pure religion. He can be useful. Sincere piety alone can qualify him to perform his duties well in this world and give him a fitness for heaven. A heavenly character must be acquired upon earth, my brother, or you will never possess it; therefore you should engage at once in the work which you have to do. You should labor earnestly to obtain a fitness for heaven. Live for heaven. Live by faith. 2T 430.3"
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
Both passages emphasize the necessity of holiness/fitness for heaven, implying it must be cultivated before entering heaven.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Both passages connect living by faith with a transformed life. Galatians 2:20 speaks of living by the faith of the Son of God, and EGW encourages Brother P to 'live by faith' in order to develop a heavenly character.
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"
Both passages discuss living with a focus on heaven. Philippians speaks of our citizenship being in heaven, while EGW urges Brother P to 'live for heaven' and acquire a heavenly character.
"Brother P, you are a rough stone; but the hand of a skillful workman is upon you. Will you let Him hew and square you, and polish you for that building which is coming together without the sound of ax or hammer? Not a blow is to be struck after probation closes. You must now, in the hours of probation, overcome your impetuous temper, or be separated from God at last. 2T 430.4"
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
Both passages use the metaphor of stones being shaped for a building to represent spiritual growth and integration into a community of believers. The EGW passage expands on the idea of being shaped by a 'skillful workman' (God) and the urgency of this process before probation closes.
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"
The EGW passage emphasizes the urgency of overcoming flaws 'now, in the hours of probation,' which aligns with the verse's emphasis on 'now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' Both highlight the importance of acting in the present moment for spiritual growth.