Let’s read the passage first:
John 5:45-47 (ESV):
“Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
At first glance, this might sound like Moses is standing somewhere in heaven accusing people before God. But that is not what Jesus means here. The “accuser” Moses refers to is not Moses himself as a person, but the words and writings of Moses—the Law he gave—those are the things that accuse people.
These words of Moses, inspired by God, become a testimony against those who reject them. This is why verse 47 ends by saying, “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” The rejection of Moses’ message is essentially the rejection of Jesus Himself, because Moses foretold the coming of the Messiah.
How Do the Words of Moses Accuse People?
We will explore this shortly, but first, let’s look at what Jesus says elsewhere about His words and judgment:
John 12:47-49 (ESV):
“If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.”
Notice this carefully: Jesus says the words He speaks will be the basis of judgment on the last day. It’s not Jesus arbitrarily condemning anyone, but the truth of God’s Word, spoken through Him, that will stand as the final standard.
Similarly, Moses doesn’t personally stand to judge us, but the message Moses delivered, the Law and the prophecy about the Messiah, will testify against those who reject Jesus.
The Role of Prophetic and Apostolic Words in Judgment
It is not only Moses’ words that will accuse and judge; the words of all the prophets and apostles in the Bible also serve this purpose. For example, the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (ESV):
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
If someone hears this warning but dismisses or disobeys it, Paul’s inspired words stand against them in judgment.
Paul further clarifies the authority of his gospel:
Romans 2:16 (ESV):
“On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”
This means that all inspired Scripture—whether Moses, the prophets, or the apostles—is God’s perfect Word. It is the standard by which God will judge humanity, both now and at the final judgment.
The Present and Future Power of God’s Word
Paul also teaches about love and spiritual gifts:
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (ESV):
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
Even great spiritual gifts and knowledge are worthless without love. At judgment, the Word will reveal if we truly lived by God’s standards—not just by external signs or powers, but by love and obedience.
Therefore, the Word of God is actively “accusing” us now. It convicts, exposes sin, and calls us to repentance. Ignoring or despising God’s Word is dangerous—not only for eternal judgment but for the present spiritual battle, because Satan uses these very Scriptures to accuse us before God.
How Does This “Accusing” Work?
Think of it as a legal case: when a person claims to be saved but continues knowingly in sin, such as sexual immorality, Satan can bring the Word of God as evidence in heaven:
1 Corinthians 6:16 (ESV):
“Or do you not know that if anyone is joined to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, ‘The two will become one flesh.'”
If a believer knowingly and willfully sins, Satan can stand before God and say, “Lord, this person claims to be Yours, but they have deliberately broken Your commands which You revealed through Your Word.” This becomes a valid accusation.
This is why it is crucial to obey and hold fast to God’s Word daily, lest the devil’s accusations prevail.
The Final Appeal
The Bible—the 66 books inspired by the Holy Spirit—is the ultimate authority and the standard of judgment. If you have not yet received Jesus Christ as your Savior, today is the time. Satan does not want you to accept salvation because he desires your eternal separation from God.
But God offers forgiveness, new life, and the indwelling Holy Spirit to those who repent, believe in Jesus, and are baptized in His name. This is how we can be secure and assured of eternal life, avoiding the condemnation that God’s Word rightly pronounces against sin.
Summary
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Moses does not personally accuse people; his inspired writings do.
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Jesus’ words and all Scripture are God’s testimony that will judge everyone.
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Rejecting God’s Word is rejecting Christ Himself.
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The Word convicts us now and will judge us on the last day.
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Satan uses Scripture to accuse those who disobey God despite knowing His commands.
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Salvation is found only in trusting and obeying Jesus Christ.
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Today is the day of salvation—receive Jesus, repent, and be baptized.
May the Lord bless and keep you steadfast in His Word.