Want to be more persuasive? Try this.

For the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, I'm John Stone Street with The Point.

Philosopher Blaze Pascal was best known for his so-called wager that believing in God is the smartest decision, even if you're not sure God exists.

What many don't know is that Pascal was a pioneer in the psychology of persuasion.

Heated disagreements are common in social media,

writes Olivia Goldhill at Quartz, but Pascal suggested centuries ago that if you want to convince

someone of your position, you don't begin by telling them they're wrong, you understand where

they're coming from, admit ways they're right, but suggest they maybe haven't seen the whole picture.

No one has offended at not seeing everything, wrote Pascal, but they don't like to be mistaken. Another tip, lead people to the answer, but let them discover

it on their own. People are generally better persuaded by reasons they have themselves discovered

than by those from the minds of others. These are great tips, especially for Christians who are

entrusted with the most important truths there are and who are to speak those truths in love.

With today's point, I'm John Stone Street.