"The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God's people, should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may not be clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they know not what. GW 298.1"
"Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews."
EGW's statement about people worshipping without knowing what they believe echoes the sentiment in John 4:22, where Jesus points out the Samaritans' ignorance in their worship.
"I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth, know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others, who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested, they knew not their great ignorance. GW 298.2"
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
EGW's description of people being unable to give a satisfactory reason for their beliefs directly parallels the call in 1 Peter 3:15 to be ready to give an answer for the hope within.
"And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe, but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith, and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God, and a turning to men, putting human wisdom in place of divine. GW 298.3"
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
EGW's statement about people not knowing their own weakness until controversy arises aligns with the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12 to be careful lest one fall, suggesting a similar theme of self-deception and the need for vigilance.