"Books that delineate the satanic practices of human beings are giving publicity to evil. These horrible particulars need not be lived over, and no one who believes the truth for this time should act a part in perpetuating the memory of them. When the intellect is fed and stimulated by this depraved food, the thoughts become impure and sensual. CT 134.1"
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
EGW's statement about avoiding books that depict satanic practices and their effect on the mind aligns with Paul's instruction to focus on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
"There is another class of books—love stories and frivolous, exciting tales—which are a curse to everyone who reads them, even though the author may attach a good moral. Often religious statements are woven all through these books, but in most cases Satan is but clothed in angel robes to deceive and allure the unsuspicious. The practice of story reading is one of the means employed by Satan to destroy souls. It produces a false, unhealthy excitement, fevers the imagination, unfits the mind for usefulness, and disqualifies it for any spiritual exercise. It weans the soul from prayer and from the love of spiritual things. CT 134.2"
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
The EGW passage explicitly refers to Satan disguising himself, mirroring the core concept of 2 Corinthians 11:14 about Satan transforming into an angel of light. The allusion is clear and central to the argument.
"Readers of frivolous, exciting tales become unfitted for the duties of practical life. They live in an unreal world. I have watched children who have been allowed to make a practice of reading such stories. Whether at home or abroad, they were restless, dreamy, unable to converse except upon the most commonplace subjects. Religious thought and conversation was entirely foreign to their minds. With the cultivation of an appetite for sensational stories, the mental taste is perverted, and the mind is not satisfied unless fed upon this unwholesome food. I can think of no more fitting name for those who indulge in such reading than mental inebriates. Intemperate habits of reading have an effect upon the brain similar to that which intemperate habits of eating and drinking have upon the body. CT 134.3"
"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
The EGW passage discusses the mind being consumed by worldly/frivolous things, leading to a lack of spiritual focus. This aligns thematically with Romans 8:5, which contrasts those who focus on the flesh versus those who focus on the Spirit.