Faith and Influence: Scientific Principles with Spiritual Roots

When you look at a tree, what do you notice first? Probably the trunk, branches, or leaves. But none of what you see could exist without the roots. Roots stabilize and nourish the tree, allowing it to grow tall and endure storms.

Influence works much the same way. We can see persuasion in action, but often we don’t recognize the deeper roots that give it strength. In my upcoming book, Influenced from Above: Where Faith and Influence Meet, I explore how Robert Cialdini’s principles of influence connect to timeless spiritual truths.

Love Beyond Liking

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrestled with a question: “How do I love someone I don’t like?” Then it hit him—there was someone he didn’t always like but always loved—himself!

We all know that feeling. We may dislike our appearance, regret bad decisions, or struggle with habits we wish we could break. Yet we consistently act in our own best interest. That, too, is a form of love, self-love.

And here’s a truth about self-love, we all do it. In his letter to the church at Ephesus Paul addressed this, “After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body” (Ephesians 5:29).

Lewis concluded that love isn’t simply a feeling. It’s a choice. He wrote, “Ceasing to be ‘in love’ did not mean ceasing to love. Loving the second sense—love is distinct from ‘ being in love’—is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit” (Mere Christianity). It’s a unity maintained by will and strengthened through habit. In other words, love is active, not passive.

I’ll never forget a funny exchange with my wife, Jane. Years ago, when she was feeling down, she said, “You only love me because you make yourself think positive thoughts about me.”

I chuckled and replied, “If love is a choice, isn’t it better that I choose to think positively about you rather than rely on how I feel in the moment?”

That’s the essence of real love—it’s intentional, deliberate, and sustained by action.

The Influence of Unity

Lewis’s description of love as “deep unity” reminds me of Cialdini’s principle of unity. When unity is present, the line between self and other begins to blur. Helping someone within our circle feels almost like helping ourselves.

This makes me think of my late father, Captain Brian Ahearn Sr., a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam. He may not have liked every Marine he served with, but he would have done anything for them—even potentially laying down his life. That’s what unity looks like in practice.

Jesus captured this truth when He told his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

The Influence of Reciprocity

Love also taps into reciprocity, another core principle of influence. Love gives first—and often, that giving is returned.

It’s why Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” and encouraged us to “do to others as you would have them do unto you.” Love initiates; reciprocity responds.

The apostle James addressed this too: “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18). Love in action is what makes faith visible.

Spiritual Roots, Eternal Impact

When we connect the principles of influence to their spiritual roots, we see something profound. Influence isn’t just about being ethical or effective—it’s about making an eternal impact.

Unity binds us together through shared identity. Reciprocity strengthens those bonds through cycles of giving and receiving. When we intentionally engage both, we don’t just influence outcomes—we influence lives through love.

That’s the vision of Influenced from Above. My hope is that as you read, you’ll begin to see these connections everywhere. Just as roots nourish the tree, spiritual truths give depth and stability to our influence.

Reflection

So let me leave you with two questions to reflect on:

Have you ever chosen to love, even when someone didn’t “deserve” it?
Can you recall a time when giving came at a cost—but you gave anyway?

Those are the moments when influence transcends persuasion. They’re the moments where faith and influence meet.

Influenced from Above: Where Faith and Influence Meet releases October 21. I’d love for you to get a sneak peek today—and perhaps see influence in a new light, rooted in something deeper than you ever imagined.

Edited with ChatGPT

Brian Ahearn

Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE and a faculty member at the Cialdini Institute.

An author, TEDx speaker, international trainer, coach, and consultant, Brian helps clients apply influence in everyday situations to boost results.

As one of only a dozen Cialdini Method Certified Trainers in the world, Brian was personally trained and endorsed by Robert Cialdini, Ph.D., the most cited living social psychologist on the science of ethical influence.

Brian’s first book, Influence PEOPLE, was named one of the 100 Best Influence Books of All Time by Book Authority. His follow-up, Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents, was an Amazon new release bestseller. His latest book, The Influencer: Secrets to Success and Happiness, is a business parable designed to teach you how to use influence at home and the office.

Brian’s LinkedIn courses on persuasive selling and coaching have been viewed by more than 800,000 people around the world. His TEDx Talk on pre-suasion has more than a million views!