Dear Pastor,

My son is in constant fear. He is always telling me the devil wants him to make a deal with him. He says the devil wants him to say that he loves and worships him. He always goes to church and pray, since he was three. What could have gone wrong?

He is an only child and very brilliant. He has been getting mostly straight As from kindergarten. He is now 11 and his grades are in their '80s. He doesn't want me to tell anyone about his condition as he thinks everyone will look down on him.

Please tell me what to do. Could it be that what he is saying is true? I await your advice.

D.R.

Dear D.R.,

Some children will say weird things. Some say God is speaking to them and God tells them to do so and so. Your son is saying the devil has told him so and so and you are getting worried. You can make matters worse by condemning him or by telling him you believe what he is saying or giving him the impression something is wrong with him.

I suggest you take him to see a child psychologist. You can tell him you want the best for him, so both of you are going to go and see a good man/woman who would be able to explain what he is experiencing.

I believe you mean well and you want the best for your son. Don't panic; I believe everything is going to be all right.

Pastor