We have already pointed out that the biblical examples never point to anyone waiting to hear to make decisions. There is no example of inner feelings, voices, signs, promptings, peace, or confirmation before making decisions.  Individuals made decisions without much delay. As long as they acted in harmony with the revealed will of God and applied biblical wisdom in making decisions, no decision was wrong.
One text is Romans 1:9-15. It reads, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”
Paul reveals his desire and opportunity to visit the brethren in Rome (Romans 1:10, 15:22-24). He had been praying that “somehow by God’s will” he would succeed in coming to them. He was not commanded to go, though he was commissioned to preach to the Gentiles. God had not given him any directives regarding a visit there, in particular. As long as his plans were in keeping with God’s moral will and nothing foolish about his plans, he could choose to go. Even as an apostle, God was not directing His every move and decision. I hear this popular view from many sources about God’s will that we do such and such. God doesn’t care one way or another whether you choose to act, as long as it is in harmony with the revelation of His will. He may certainly intervene by opening or shutting doors. But, that doesn’t mean that it was wrong to make the decision. Make the choice, while always appealing to God for wisdom and direction and if it is not in your best interest, it may even be hindered.  In a world of full revelation and inspiration of the Spirit, Paul chose to go into Asia and Bithynia, but the Spirit forbade them. He made the decision and was told to back off. He would never have known without taking some initiative in continuing his work. Often, I hear someone comment on plans that change, “It just wasn’t meant to be.” For the Christian, that may or may not be coincidental. In making decisions, we allow for the possibility of changing the plans because God may have closed the doors of opportunity.  While it is not miraculous intervention, it is providential intervention through the use of natural means.
However, waiting to do something because we are waiting on God to give us a sign is not only not found in the New Testament, it is inviting guidance from other sources, including one’s own psyche. Most often, we hear someone explain that they feel led or the Spirit put a thought on their heart. When some unexplained occurrence confirms the feeling, they go with it. Jim Osman points out in his book, God Doesn’t Whisper (p. 256), “The apostles made a moral and wise decision regarding the feeding of Hellenistic widows in Acts 6. The apostles didn’t want to neglect their duties and give their time to another task, as worthy and noble as it was. It was in keeping with the moral will of God for them to serve tables or appoint others to do so.” He goes on to explain that their decision was based on the wisdom to distribute the workload by handing it over to others. No indication is given that they waited for a sign, a voice, a prompting or an unction. Nothing is ever said that they felt led to do something. Their leading was clear unmistakable revelation. They didn’t have to wait for a feeling. Still, they used the best wisdom available to have a certain number of men chosen for the task who were exceptionally dedicated individuals.  All of it was done without any special word from God.
Similarly, when Paul wrote Timothy about the appointment of elders, he gave him God’s will regarding their qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-7) and he expected Timothy to appoint them on that basis. He didn’t wait to get some inner voice, peace, or confirmation.  This method is the one followed throughout the New Testament Scriptures. In closing, we need to (1) know the revelation of God’s will that is given through the Scriptures, (2) apply wisdom, (3) choose as we wish, and (4) trust God.