Lewis’ book is simple and accessible, written so those with very little Christian education (a group I am beginning to think I may be a part of) can understand. I went along, nodding at everything Lewis wrote, impressed with his logical argument for Christianity as a true religion. Then he started talking about sin. I agreed with that part too, a little more reluctantly, probably because I knew exactly what he was talking about.

“You may remember, when I was talking about sexual morality, I warned you that the centre of Christian morals did not lie there. Well, now we have come to the centre. According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind” (Mere Christianity 109-10.)

I always knew better than to go around bragging about myself. That was obvious enough; no one likes the kid on the playground who talks about how many gold stars they got last week. People learn that naturally. But do I really have to stop myself from feeling that pride, too? After reading this passage, I realized I need to seriously re-work my self-perception and maybe my entire way of life. I go to class and feel proud to answer a question when no one else raises their hand for discussion. I go to the gym and feel proud to have my treadmill on a higher setting than the guy next to me. I feel proud sitting around with my friends when I make an especially good point when we’re debating something. I feel proud to wear my Carolina sweatshirt in the airport on my way home. Basically, I go through my entire day, week, existence in general thinking I’m hot stuff. The complete anti-God state of mind.

Up until now, I thought I was a pretty good Christian. By one standard, that is, my Sunday School lessons from when I was younger, I would say I love my neighbor and generally keep the Ten Commandments, so I’m good. By another standard, the general media portrayal of Christianity, I have not participated in gay marriage or abortion, so I’m in the clear there as well. By many Christians’ measurements, since I go to church mostly every Sunday, I can qualify and will probably make the cut when it comes to that. Unfortunately C.S. Lewis disagrees with all these standards, and as a lifelong fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, when C.S. Lewis says something, I listen. Now, how to go about getting over myself?

Lewis emphasizes in the chapter that we don’t necessarily have to think less of ourselves. We just need to give credit where it’s due. For example, if I run a particularly good mile split in a workout, I should say a small prayer thanking God for cardiovascular health. Instead of swelling with pride, I should swell with joy at God’s blessings.

So, this is going to take some getting used to. Taking the self-conceit down a few notches is a hard task in college, when we’re being told we’re going to “change the world” from all angles. But if pride truly is the real root of all evil, then changing our self-perceptions and taking a heavy dose of humility isn’t a bad place to start.