Power over others is weakness disguised as strength. Pilate was weak and gave into his fears: "You are no friend of Caesar."
If you don't have power over yourself (self-control) AND a firm conviction in a Supreme Being who has power over you, and believe that this Supreme Being is Love, then you will act out of fear and weakness. "Perfect love casts out fear." God is perfect love and the more we love Him the more fearless we will be.
Is your religion a preference or a commitment? If you succumb to pressure from family, peers, worldly pursuits, etc., then your religion is merely a personal preference or ingrained habit. A firm commitment actually grows stronger the more it is opposed. (June 3, 2019)