"“Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” — Matthew 5:28 . The Jews prided themselves on their morality and looked with horror upon the sensual practices of the heathen. The presence of the Roman officers whom the imperial rule had brought into Palestine was a continual offense to the people, for with these foreigners had come in a flood of heathen customs, lust, and dissipation. In Capernaum, Roman officials with their gay paramours haunted the parades and promenades, and often the sound of revelry broke upon the stillness of the lake as their pleasure boats glided over the quiet waters. The people expected to hear from Jesus a stern denunciation of this class, but what was their astonishment as they listened to words that laid bare the evil of their own hearts! MB 59"
"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 5:28 in this passage.
"unwittingly borne false witness, if we have misstated his words, if we have injured his influence in any way, we should go to the ones with whom we have conversed about him, and take back all our injurious misstatements. MB 59.1"
"A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
Both passages address the sin of bearing false witness and its destructive consequences. EGW's statement about correcting misstatements directly relates to the Proverbs passage condemning a false witness.
"If matters of difficulty between brethren were not laid open before others, but frankly spoken of between themselves in the spirit of Christian love, how much evil might be prevented! How many roots of bitterness whereby many are defiled would be destroyed, and how closely and tenderly might the followers of Christ be united in His love! MB 59.2"
"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"
EGW directly uses the phrase "roots of bitterness whereby many are defiled," which is a clear allusion to Hebrews 12:15. The context of addressing conflict and its potential to defile others further strengthens the connection.
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."
Both passages emphasize the importance of avoiding bitterness and evil speaking in relationships between believers. EGW's call for frank and loving communication aligns with Ephesians' call to put away bitterness and be kind.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
Both passages discuss the importance of love and unity within the Christian community. EGW's emphasis on resolving difficulties in a spirit of Christian love aligns with the characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13.