"To become a disciple of Christ is to deny self and follow Jesus through evil as well as good report. Few are doing this now. Many prophesy falsely, and the people love to have it so; but what will be done in the end thereof? What will be the decision when their work, with all its results, shall be brought in review before God? 5T 222.1"
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
EGW directly references the principle of self-denial and following Jesus, which is the core message of Matthew 16:24. The connection is clear and intentional.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
Both passages address the issue of people preferring false or pleasing messages over sound doctrine. EGW's statement about people loving to have false prophecies aligns with 2 Timothy 4:3's description of people heaping up teachers to suit their own desires.
"The Christian life is a warfare. The apostle Paul speaks of wrestling against principalities and powers as he fought the good fight of faith. Again, he declares: “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Ah, no. Today sin is cherished and excused. The sharp sword of the Spirit, the word of God, does not cut to the soul. Has religion changed? Has Satan's enmity to God abated? A religious life once presented difficulties and demanded self-denial. All is made very easy now. And why is this? The professed people of God have compromised with the power of darkness. 5T 222.2"
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
EGW directly quotes Ephesians 6:12, making it an explicit allusion. The context of spiritual warfare is also consistent.
"Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin."
EGW directly quotes Hebrews 12:4, making it an explicit allusion. The context of striving against sin is also consistent.
"There must be a revival of the strait testimony. The path to heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must be sacrificed if it cause us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom and to receive the kingdom of heaven as a little child? Are we willing to part with self- righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen worldly associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men? The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to be attained? 5T 222.3"
"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
The EGW passage directly quotes and applies the imagery of plucking out the eye and cutting off the hand from Matthew 5:29-30.
"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
The EGW passage directly alludes to the concept of becoming as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven, as stated in Matthew 18:3.
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
The EGW passage refers to the 'strait testimony' and the path to heaven not being smoother, which is a clear allusion to the 'strait gate and narrow way' described in Matthew 7:14.
"Every association we form, however limited, exerts some influence upon us. The extent to which we yield to that influence will be determined by the degree of intimacy, the constancy of the intercourse, and our love and veneration for the one with whom we associate. Thus by acquaintance and association with Christ we may become like Him, the one faultless Example. 5T 222.4"
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
The EGW passage discusses the influence of associations, which aligns with the principle in 1 Corinthians 15:33 about evil communications corrupting good manners. Both emphasize the impact of relationships on one's character.
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
The EGW passage discusses becoming like Christ through association with Him, which parallels the idea in 1 John 2:6 that those who abide in Him should walk as He walked. Both emphasize the importance of emulating Christ's example.