"Every sermon you preach, every article you write, may be all true; but one drop of gall in it will be poison to the hearer or the reader. Because of that drop of poison, one will discard all your good and acceptable words. Another will feed on the poison; for he loves such harsh words; he follows your example, and talks just as you talk. Thus the evil is multiplied. 6T 123.1"
"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."
The 'drop of gall' acting as poison is a clear parallel to the idea of 'a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.' Both highlight how a small negative influence can have a widespread and detrimental effect.
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."
Both passages address the destructive power of the tongue and its ability to spread negativity and defile. EGW's 'drop of gall' causing poison and James's description of the tongue as 'a fire' share a similar theme.
"Those who present the eternal principles of truth need the holy oil emptied from the two olive branches into the heart. This will flow forth in words that will reform, but not exasperate. The truth is to be spoken in love. Then the Lord Jesus by His Spirit will supply the force and the power. That is His work. 6T 123.2"
"Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
EGW directly references the 'two olive branches' from Zechariah 4, indicating a clear and intentional allusion to the biblical passage. The context of 'holy oil' further strengthens this connection.
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
EGW's statement that 'the truth is to be spoken in love' directly reflects the principle articulated in Ephesians 4:15, 'speaking the truth in love.' Both emphasize the importance of combining truth with love in communication.
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
Both passages emphasize the importance of the Spirit's power in delivering truth, contrasting it with human wisdom or force. EGW's reference to 'holy oil' and 'words that reform, but not exasperate' aligns with Paul's emphasis on 'demonstration of the Spirit and of power' rather than 'enticing words of man's wisdom.'