Breaking Free from the Prison of Approval

Today, we witnessed the beauty of generations being transformed by the gospel, families changed, and lives touched by the power of Christ. As we took communion, we remembered not only what Jesus has done for us, but also what He continues to do—His body broken for our healing, His blood shed for our salvation, and the new covenant that gives us abundant and eternal life. We celebrated God’s faithfulness in our midst, both in the spiritual breakthroughs and in the practical miracles, like the provision for our building project. All of this is a testament to God’s ongoing work among us.

Turning to John 19, we reflected on the trial of Jesus before Pilate, a moment that reveals the devastating effects of living for the approval of others. Pilate, though convinced of Jesus’ innocence, ultimately gave in to the pressure of the crowd and the fear of losing his position and reputation. His story is a sobering reminder that the “prison of approval” can lead us to compromise our convictions, silence our faith, and miss God’s purpose for our lives. The fear of man is a snare, and it can manifest in many ways—people-pleasing, hiding sin, avoiding confrontation, or curating our image to gain acceptance.

But there is a way out. First, confession breaks the power of secret sin and the hold that fear of exposure has over us. Bringing things into the light frees us from the enemy’s leverage. Second, character is built in the small, daily decisions to do what is right, not just in the big moments. If we consistently choose integrity over approval, we will have the courage to stand firm when it matters most. Third, growing in the fear of God—an awe and reverence for Him—liberates us from the fear of people. When God’s opinion matters most, we find boldness to obey Him, even when it’s costly.

We prayed for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, for boldness like Peter and John, and for hearts that are soft toward people but unyielding in our convictions. May we be a people who break free from the prison of approval, who confess and walk in the light, who build godly character, and who live with a holy awe of God that makes us bold as lions.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Confession Breaks the Power of Fear Secret sin gives the enemy a foothold in our lives, keeping us bound by the fear of being exposed. When we confess our sins—not to everyone, but to someone trustworthy—we break the enemy’s leverage and experience true freedom. Transparency removes the power of shame and allows us to walk in the light, unafraid of what others might think. The devil cannot use against us what we have already brought into the open before God and others. [73:34]
• 2. Character Is Built in the Small Decisions The courage to stand for what is right in the big moments is forged in the small, daily choices to honor God over people. If we habitually give in to the pressure of others in minor situations, we will lack the fortitude to do what is right when the stakes are high. Building character is about forming a foundation of integrity, so that when our “Pilate moment” comes, we are ready to choose obedience to God over the approval of the crowd. [78:41]
• 3. The Fear of Man Is a Snare, but the Fear of God Sets Us Free Living for the approval of people is an exhausting and impossible standard, leading to compromise, anxiety, and missed opportunities for God’s purposes. The antidote is cultivating a greater awe and reverence for God—valuing His opinion above all others. When the fear of God outweighs the fear of man, we find the boldness to speak truth, stand for righteousness, and obey God regardless of the consequences. [87:36]
• 4. Boldness Comes from the Holy Spirit Boldness is not the absence of fear, but the presence of the Holy Spirit empowering us to act in faith. As we spend time with God, pray, and ask for a fresh filling of the Spirit, we become more like Jesus—courageous, truthful, and unashamed. The righteous are as bold as lions, and this boldness is essential for sharing the gospel and standing firm in a culture that often opposes God’s ways. [92:59]
• 5. Approval Addiction Is Broken by Daily Surrender Breaking free from the prison of approval is not a one-time event, but a daily surrender to God’s will and a commitment to walk in truth. It means repenting of people-pleasing, confessing where we have compromised, and asking God for the strength to live for His approval alone. As we do, we become people of soft hearts and strong convictions, able to love others deeply without being controlled by their opinions. [97:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [32:00] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [32:46] - The Power of the New Covenant
• [34:00] - Healing in the Broken Body
• [34:50] - The Cup and the Covenant
• [38:50] - Announcements and Testimonies
• [47:49] - God’s Faithfulness in Provision
• [49:28] - Introduction to John 19: The Trial of Jesus
• [50:41] - Pilate’s Dilemma and the Fear of Man
• [54:08] - Pilate in History: Context and Evidence
• [55:28] - Pilate’s Predicament and Authority
• [57:51] - The Nature of Authority and Accountability
• [59:05] - The Turning Point: Pressure from the Crowd
• [61:14] - Roman Politics: Tiberius, Sejanus, and Pilate
• [64:22] - Pilate’s History of Provoking the Jews
• [67:08] - The Blackmail and Pilate’s Capitulation
• [70:23] - The Many Faces of the Fear of Man
• [73:34] - Confession: Breaking the Power of Secret Sin
• [77:18] - Building Character in the Small Things
• [83:50] - Practical Steps to Stand for Truth
• [87:36] - Growing in the Fear of God
• [92:59] - Praying for Boldness and the Holy Spirit
• [93:52] - Pilate’s Choice: People or God?
• [94:23] - Responding in Confession and Surrender
• [95:45] - Praying for Boldness Like a Lion
• [97:53] - Repentance and Blessing

Bible Reading

John 19:1-16 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole passage together, but here is a key excerpt:)

> So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” ... From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” ... So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

James 5:16 (ESV) — > Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV) — > The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Observation Questions

1. In John 19, what pressures was Pilate facing from the crowd and the religious leaders? What was his response?
2. According to the sermon, what are some ways the “fear of man” can show up in our everyday lives?
3. What does James 5:16 say is the result of confessing our sins to one another?
4. How does Proverbs 29:25 describe the difference between fearing people and trusting God?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Pilate, even though he knew Jesus was innocent, still chose to give in to the crowd’s demands? What does this reveal about the power of seeking approval?
2. The sermon says that secret sin gives the enemy a foothold in our lives. How does confession help break the power of fear and shame?
3. The pastor talked about character being built in the small, daily decisions. Why is it important to practice integrity in the “little things” before the big moments come?
4. What does it mean to have a “fear of God” that outweighs the fear of people? How does this change the way we make decisions?

Application Questions

1. The sermon described the “prison of approval” as living for what others think instead of what God thinks. Where do you see this struggle in your own life—at work, with family, online, or somewhere else?
2. Is there a “secret” or area of your life that you’ve been hiding out of fear of what others might think? What would it look like to bring it into the light with someone trustworthy this week?
3. Think about a recent situation where you felt pressured to go along with the crowd or say something just to fit in. How did you respond? What could you do differently next time to stand for what’s right?
4. The pastor shared that character is built in the small, daily choices. What is one small decision you can make this week to choose integrity over approval?
5. The sermon encouraged us to pray for boldness from the Holy Spirit. What is one area where you need more courage to speak truth or live out your faith? How can the group pray for you in this?
6. The “fear of man” can keep us from sharing our faith or standing up for what’s right. What is one step you can take to grow in the “fear of God” and care more about His opinion than others’?
7. The pastor prayed for us to have “soft hearts but strong convictions.” What does this look like in your relationships with people who disagree with you or don’t share your faith?