“Ewwww-- it’s infected!”  Most of us have either said or heard those words, and then had the privilege of dealing with something in that category (ingrown toenail or...O.K., I’ll stop there).  It ranks right down there with “cleaning the oven” and “packing to move”. 

But what about our ability to infect a friendship, a marriage, a family, or a church (add your own item)?  We can, if we’re suffering from... Battitude.  (No, don’t run for the band-aids--won’t work here).  I don’t think people will scurry around pointing at us and saying, “Ewwww--she’s  infected”(though in some cases, it might get our attention more quickly since we are often the last to notice). 

That’s why Paul tells us (1 Timothy 4:12-16) to watch our spirit(attitude).  First, get rid of that pocket of bitterness (ouch!), and give it a good swabbing with the Word (more ouch!).  Allow the Word and solid preaching and teaching to keep it clean and allow it to heal; meditate on those things we’ve heard, so it won’t happen again; and apologize where needed to heal whatever relationship has been damaged.

While you’re here, would you just take a quick look at my toe?