A Choice We Can Make Every Day

Ashley Hadinger
Jun 23
3 min read

Updated: Oct 7

Prayer circle at Delta Church in Sunbury OH, practical Bible teaching

We spent June in Ephesians, and it has reminded us of a life-transforming truth: through Jesus, we are no longer strangers. Paul wrote to the early church in Ephesus to show that God took two very different groups of people and created one new humanity — and then showed us how to live it out in our everyday lives.

A Choice We Make Every Day

Paul calls us to throw off our old selves and put on our new selves (Ephesians 4:21-24). What does that mean in real life?

Old self: Letting your feelings, cravings, or impulses drive the car of your life. Maybe it’s that extra cup of coffee, scrolling one more time, or letting anger take over. These moments seem small, but they add up over time.
New self: Letting Jesus-in-you drive, with your feelings as passengers. The Spirit is there to guide, empower, and walk with us every moment — not to force His way, but to partner with us.

Every day, every choice, is an opportunity to dress for the day with your new self. Just as you wouldn’t leave the house without clothes, don’t go through life without putting Jesus in the driver’s seat.

Reflection: Who is driving your life today — your feelings or Jesus-in-you?

Why This Choice Matters

Ephesians 4:30 reminds us: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, who has sealed you for the day of redemption.”

The Holy Spirit has chosen you, marked you as His own, and is empowering you moment by moment. Living like this matters because:

Your life represents God’s seal to the world.
Acting on your impulses instead of Spirit-led choices grieves Him.
Walking in your identity as God’s chosen and sealed child changes the way you interact with others, shaping your words, actions, and decisions.

Imagine walking around every day knowing the Holy Spirit picked you. That awareness transforms everything — from conversations to how you handle conflict, work, and love.

Reflection: How would your choices change if you walked every day fully aware that God has chosen and sealed you?

The Evidence — How Do You Know Who’s in the Driver’s Seat?

Paul gives us practical markers to see if the new self is in control (Ephesians 4:25-29):

Truth-telling: Speak honestly and build trust.
Anger in check: Feel anger without letting it control your actions.
Work and generosity: Use your hands for hard work and give to others in need.
Encouraging words: Speak in ways that build up, not tear down.

The proof of Jesus driving the car isn’t how much Bible you read or how often you attend church — it’s how you treat the people around you. Are others encouraged, built up, and supported because of you?

Reflection: After interacting with you, do the people in your life feel stronger, encouraged, and valued — or drained and torn down?

Walking in the New Self

You are chosen and sealed by the Holy Spirit. It’s time to:

Throw off the old self.
Put on the new self.
Walk around empowered by the Spirit every day.

Being “No Longer Strangers” isn’t theoretical — it’s practical. It shows up in honesty, self-control, generosity, and words that build people up. This is what it means to live fully as God’s children, bearing His name and seal in every moment.