Proverbs 29:25 tells us “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Fear is the absence of trust. Should we expect God to answer us when we call on him out of fear of man, or fear of what may happen.
Pontius Pilate was put in a precarious position because of his fear. He had the opportunity to make a decision based on what Jesus said or what people said. When we operate in fear we give fear the judge's seat which is an elevated position.