That saying conjures up an image of a standoff in a dusty street, usually between a sheriff and the bad guy. Its origin is largely credited to the 1932 movie The Western Code.
It’s been repeated in westerns ever since and parodied in comedies. The duel always comes down to good vs. evil.
The first time I heard the song Tell the Devil by Joseph Habedank I pictured myself standing face to face with the devil outside the town saloon.
Carried my sin like a heart of stone
‘Til I met Jesus down a dead-end road
So when that old accuser has hung me down
I say there ain’t room for two in this Holy Ghost town
Tell the devil who’s kind I am
I’m covered by the blood of the Lamb
He took his best shot but he lost the fight…
Habedank understood the showdown because he’d lived it. Much like my own life, the Grammy nominated and Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter struggled with a heavy prescription drug addiction for several years while he was the lead vocalist and songwriter for the gospel music group, The Perrys. He hid the drugs and tried to live a life under the disguise of “false wholeness” where he slipped in and out of sobriety.
His 2024 album “Autobiography” is an extremely personal and vulnerable album of truth, faith, and the celebration of victory. His story is one of hope, love, and overcoming adversity just when you think you can’t handle any more. His message in song mirrors mine in print and videos. He is living proof that Jesus can indeed save you from yourself if you surrender the battle to Him. Habedank believes that by opening up, putting it all on the table, and sharing his experience he may help others.
This song helps us remember that there’s no room for the devil in our lives.
Tell the devil there’s an empty grave..there ain’t nothing but some broken chains….
Check out Tell the Devil at https://youtu.be/yvZbAJQ0c_M?si=gDYpTlFBBV1iMen6.
For videos follow me on http://tiktok.com/@jeanniritchie.
faith unfaded 
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