"Both of these men attended the meeting at Brother Collier's. While I was earnestly praying for light and the presence of God, they began to groan and to cry “Amen!” apparently throwing their sympathy with my prayer. But my heart was immediately oppressed with a great weight. The words died upon my lips, and darkness overshadowed the whole meeting. LS 82.1"
"And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."
Both passages describe a situation where an outward display of religious fervor is accompanied by a negative spiritual influence. In Acts, Paul is grieved by the spirit speaking through the damsel, and in EGW's account, she feels a weight and darkness despite the men's apparent support.
"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."
The sense of oppression and darkness in the EGW passage could be interpreted as a manifestation of spiritual forces, aligning with the theme of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:12. However, the connection is not as direct as in other pairs.
"Elder White arose, and said: “I am distressed. The Spirit of God is grieved. I resist this influence in the name of the Lord. O God, rebuke this foul spirit.” LS 82.2"
"But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."
Both passages involve rebuking a negative spiritual influence. In Matthew, Jesus rebukes Peter (who is acting as a mouthpiece for Satan), and in the EGW passage, Elder White rebukes a 'foul spirit.' The language is similar in its directness.
"I was immediately relieved, and rose above the shadows. But again, while I was speaking words of encouragement and faith to those present, their groanings and amens chilled me. Once more Elder White rebuked the spirit of darkness, and again the power of God rested upon me while I spoke to the people. These agents of the enemy were then so bound as to be unable to exert their baleful influence again that night. LS 82.3"
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
The EGW passage directly illustrates the principle outlined in James 4:7. Elder White's actions of rebuking the spirit of darkness directly correlate with resisting the devil, which results in the power of God resting upon her.
"After the meeting, Elder White said to Brother Collier: “Now I can tell you concerning these two men. They are acting under a satanic influence, yet attributing all to the Spirit of the Lord.” LS 82.4"
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
The EGW passage describes individuals acting under satanic influence while attributing it to the Spirit of the Lord. This aligns with the theme in 2 Corinthians 11:14, where Satan is described as transforming himself into an angel of light, suggesting a deceptive appearance of righteousness.