Building up a resistance to inoculations

According to Wikipedia, an inoculation is an “artificial induction of immunity against various infectious diseases.” We are most familiar with this in the form of a flu shot, where live viruses are killed and then given by injection.

As a result, a person develops some degree of defense against disease. So, if we are later exposed to the same (or a similar) virus, our immune system will be better prepared to fight off the infection.

There are additional forms of inoculation. You won’t find them in any dictionary. I use them to describe words injected into a conversation; they are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence.

While a flu shot prepares one for the possibility of an illness, the following forms of inoculation prepare differently.

One of these gives permission to lie. Here’s an example — Madge says: “Not to gossip, but did you hear that Jill has spent a fortune on her shoe collection?” The problem is obvious. Madge is, in fact, gossiping while she says she is not; she is lying.

Here is a different use of inoculation: “To be completely honest with you...” When I encounter these words, I can’t help but make an instant judgment. I silently say to myself: “So, the rest of the time you aren’t being completely honest?”

The person’s words may be sincerely delivered. However, such short-term gains may have long-term consequences. Should I then doubt everything that person says? Will it have a lesser degree of honesty?

Here is another inoculation: “I know how you feel.” This is often said in an attempt to comfort another who may be experiencing some form of malady or loss. It is an honest attempt to bring comfort.

However, these good intentions usually fall short of the mark. Why? It is because one can’t know with absolute certainty how the other person feels. People are different in this regard.

In this case, it is sometimes best to simply say “I’m sorry.” There is no need to inoculate. It may do more harm than good.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 30 years.