"When sin has deadened the moral perceptions, the wrongdoer does not discern the defects of his character nor realize the enormity of the evil he has committed; and unless he yields to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit he remains in partial blindness to his sin. His confessions are not sincere and in earnest. To every acknowledgment of his guilt he adds an apology in excuse of his course, declaring that if it had not been for certain circumstances he would not have done this or that for which he is reproved. SC 40.1"
"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"
John 16:8 speaks of the Holy Spirit's role in convicting of sin. EGW directly references the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as necessary to overcome the deadening effect of sin on moral perception.
"Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:"
Both passages discuss the darkening of understanding due to sin, leading to a form of spiritual blindness. EGW expands on the practical implications of this darkened understanding.
"And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."
Both passages deal with excusing sin. Genesis 3:12 is the classic example of blaming others for one's own sin, which EGW describes as a common practice when sin has deadened moral perceptions.
After Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, they were filled with a sense of shame and terror. At first their only thought was how to excuse their sin and escape the dreaded sentence of death. When the Lord inquired concerning their sin, Adam replied, laying the guilt partly upon God and partly upon his companion: “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” The woman put the blame upon the serpent, saying, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:12, 13 . Why did You make the serpent? Why did You suffer him to come into Eden? These were the questions implied in her excuse for her sin, thus charging God with the responsibility of their fall. The spirit of self-justification originated in the father of lies and has been exhibited by all the sons and daughters of Adam. Confessions of this order are not inspired by the divine Spirit and will not be acceptable to God. True repentance will lead a man to bear his guilt himself and ac…
"And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."
EGW directly quotes Genesis 3:12.
"And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat."
EGW directly quotes Genesis 3:13.